IRIS CULTIVATION 
Iris can be planted any time that the ground isn’t frozen, pre- 
ferably, however, from mid-summer to late fall—just so they root 
well before freezing weather. Set the rhizomes ten to twenty inches 
apart, depending on the amount of room that you have and be sure 
that they are planted—not too deep but planted with roots spread 
and tops cut off fan-wise. Firm each plant by stepping on each side 
of it, to tighten it in the ground, after a small amount of dirt has been 
thrown toward the plant with a hand plow. It is advisable to soak: 
the rhizomes a few moments before planting as shipments must be 
packed dry to reach you in good condition. Rhizomes may also be 
watered after planting until the roots are well established and new 
growth appears above the original fans. This growth may take 
about thirty days, depending upon the season and the. variety of iris 
planted. Never allow. water to stand on the iris as iris do not like 
wet feet. The other great enemy of iris is bluegrass. Give shallow 
cultivation for grass and weeds before either reach any size. 
Iris will grow in any soil. Mix the soil with some sand for drain- 
age. Fertilizers are not especially needed except when making an 
entire new flower bed. Then work in one part sand, one part well- 
rotted manure and one part wood or coal ashes. For the best 
results re-set your plant oftener—every three to four years anyway. 
Mulch new set iris with corn fodder or straw in the late fall. 
Place a few shovels full of dirt on the mulch at intervals to Keep it 
from blowing off in the winter time. Mulching protects new set 
plants from root breakage due to freezing and thawing. The iris tops 
form a natural mulch for the older plants and unless your plants are 
diseased should remain on until the following Spring when they may 
be removed by hand or by raking them off. It is advisable, however, 
to cut off all bloom stalks, with knife or sickle just after the blooming 
season. This allows the growing strength of the flower to go to the 
rhizome instead of to the seed pod which forms just below the flower. 
The rhizomes produce, of course, the same flower, while the seed, if 
allowed to develop, produces another flower altogether. 
If the season is wet and drainage poor you may encounter iris 
rot. Re-set the rhizomes after scraping off the rot and sunning them 
for a few days. They may also be dipped in powdered sulphur be- 
fore re-planting. 
Remember, too, that not all varieties of iris have the same sized 
rhizomes or do they grow just alike. All iris should bloom the first 
year after planting but this is determined by the variety and condi- 
tions under which they are grown. 
Mrs. W. B. Otwell 
