HOW TO GROW BETTER IRIS 
Iris rhizomes should be planted during 
August and September. We do not recom- 
mend that you plant in the extreme heat but 
if it is necessary to do so they should be kept 
moist and the soil loose. If your winters are 
cold we suggest an early planting to enable 
the feed2r roots to become well established. 
Plant your Iris as soon as received. Do not 
be alarmed if some rhizomes in your ship- 
ment are larger than others as certain va- 
rieties tend to grow larger than others al- 
though the smaller plants are just as healthy. 
If you are unable to plant immediately open 
your package and spread the roots in a cool 
place and keep them dry. In light soils plant 
the rhizomes just under the surface of the 
ground in a hole large enough:to allow the 
full spread of the roots. The top of the new 
Iris should be just above the level of the 
ground and in case of very light sandy soils 
you should plant slightly deeper. At the time 
of planting be sure your soil is damp and pack 
it firmly around the plant. 
Select a sunny well drained location where 
the soil is light and easy to work. Be sure 
that there is no water standing around your 
new plants as this will cause rot. Iris should 
have a minimum of a half day of sunshine. 
If you have plenty of room 
in your garden you may space 
your plants as far as two feet 
apart although a mass effect 
will be given if they are 
planted closer. In some cases 
they are planted as close as 
10 inches but it is necessary 
to separate them oftener. 
As your new plant is planted 
very close to the top of the 
ground you should cultivate 
very shallowly in order not to 
disturb the feeder roots. 
Clean cultivation is essential 
as the rhizome likes sunlight. 
Therefore, keep all dead 
leaves and foreign matter 
away from the plant. 
FILL IN WITH 
GOOD SOIL /, 
—, ters 
a 
It is very difficult to set a hard and fast 
rule that will govern the watering of Iris in 
all parts of the country. As soon as you have 
planted your new Iris it should be watered 
and kept damp until the roots system is estab- 
lished. Iris do not require a great amount of 
water, but should be cultivated soon after 
watering to prevent the ground from caking. 
Fertilize with a non-acid forming fertilizer 
as Iris prefer a non-acid soil. Steamed bone 
meal for superphosphate may be used at the 
time of planting by mixing in a handful and 
working well into the soil. If you prefer you 
may do this in the spring. A complete fer- 
tilizer such as Vigoro may be used and we 
suggest that you dust this around your plants. 
We do not recommend the use of barnyard 
manure unless it is well rotted and thoroughly 
worked into the soil before planting time. Be 
sure that the manure does not come in direct 
contact with the rhizomes. 
All Iris tend to make clumps and to avoid 
a root bound conditions they should be sep- 
arated every three or four years. This should 
be done in mid-summer and as some varieties 
multiply very rapidly care should be taken in 
selecting those to be separated. 
Mix in well a 
handful of 
bonemeal 
