Cultural Directious 
PLANTING AND CARING FOR BEARDED IRIS 
TIME OF PLANTING OF BEARDED IRIS. 
Bearded Iris can be planted any time after July |0th 
up until the middle of October; however, you can 
plant up until frost, providing you mulch them with 
some straw to prevent them from winter-killing. 
LOCATION FOR BEARDED IRIS. 
Bearded Iris will do well in any part of our country 
except through the extreme South; however, they 
can stand 35 degrees below zero without suffering 
any damage. 
TYPE OF SOIL FOR BEARDED IRIS. 
One of the most important things to consider is the 
type of soil in order to grow Bearded Iris successfully. 
They require sweet (alkaline) well drained soil free 
from roots or any rotted material. Never use rich soil 
nor manure. An application of lime before planting 
is very important; if your soil does not drain well, 
raise your beds 6 to 12 inches above the balance of 
your ground which will do wonders for Iris plantings. 
Bone meal is an excellent fertilizer, wood ashes may 
also be used freely. 
PLANTING BEARDED IRIS. 
Bear in mind when planting Bearded Iris to see that 
they are planted in a sunny spot. Rhizomes must be 
planted to the surface. Make a hole large enough 
to spread the roots, draw the dirt in to the plant 
and tramp tight with the feet holding the depth so 
that the top of the rhizome is just beneath the sur- 
face. Step on top of rhizome to insure firm location 
at this depth. If water is available a good soaking 
afterward is good. Plants properly planted will pro- 
duce many more blooms, also it will help to avoid 
root rot and diseases. Keep soil cultivated. 
DISTANCE BETWEEN PLANTS. 
Plant about | ft. to 2 ft. apart depending on how 
frequently the clumps will be divided. If left in the 
same location three or four years avoid close plant- 
ing. The increase in size of clumps will cause crowd- 
ing for available moisture and plant food. 
AFTER FLOWERING OF BEARDED IRIS. 
Many people write us that their Iris have been chang- 
ing colors. In order to eliminate this disappointment, 
cut your old flower stalks down to the foliage, this 
will eliminate dropping of seeds, will also strengthen 
your plants. 
PESTS AND DISEASES. 
Snails and slugs are the most common pests found 
on Bearded Iris. They can easily be taken care of by 
keeping the dead leaves and trash from around the 
Iris plants. If still troubled, purchase some good snail 
poison now on the market which will remedy these 
pests. 
Vip OF) in 
WHITE FLY. 
Very few sections of this country are troubled with 
white fly; however, you can remedy these flies with 
a good nicotine spray. 
LEAF SPOT. 
A fungous disease which sometimes develops on Iris 
leaves and causes the ends to turn brown. These 
spores multiply and spread rapidly during damp 
weather. To check this fungus, spray with a lime- 
sulphur spray to which add a little soap as a spreader. 
RHIZOME ROT. 
This is caused by lack of drainage or too much rain 
followed by real warm weather, very seldom turns 
out to be dangerous. Rotted parts generally are in- 
tested with white maggots. 
CURE FOR RHIZOME ROT. 
Scrape away soil, cut away rotted parts, then dust 
with sulphur or charcoal, expose cleaned rhizomes 
to direct sun leaving roots lay for several days so 
that the roots are thoroughly dry. Replant rhizomes 
so that the tops are exposed to the sun at all times. 
RED FIRE OR SCORCH. 
Red Fire or Scorch is characterized by leaves turn- 
ing a rusty red. The feeder-roots have apparently 
been affected, resulting in starvation of the leaves. 
There is no remedy and nothing to be done but dig 
up the clump and burn it. Fortunately this is not a 
common occurrence. 
IRIS BORER. 
Develops from a moth which lays its eggs in the fall 
near or on the basal leaves, eggs hatching out in 
spring. The young larvae eat their way through the 
toliage down towards the rhizomes. Early stages can 
be noticed by bleeding of plants, later leaves be- 
come stunted. In July or August the larvae will reach 
maturity, being about an inch and a half long, whitish 
with a pronounced pinkish tinge above the spiracles. 
Pupation takes place in the soil near base of plant 
late summer. The Pupa is shining chestnut-brown in 
color. 
IRIS BORER CONTROL. 
Important to keep your garden free of any rotted 
foliage or roots. In small gardens many plants can 
be saved by the method of handpicking. A solution 
of Potassium Permanganate (which can be obtained 
at any drug store) using as much as can be held on 
top of a dime in a gallon of water. Cut foilage of 
Iris, then dip plant in above solution for twenty 
minutes. If badly infected dip again in 48 hours, let 
rhizomes dry thoroughly before replanting. You may 
also dilute one level teaspoonful in two gallons of 
water, pouring contents over plants and around roots 
which will help to eliminate further borer conditions. 
PIS 
Clifton, New Jersey 
COLYER PRINTING COMPANY 
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 
