Iris' Falling Over!

17 years ago

It's been so windy around here lately! I came home from work today and found my poor Blueberry Bliss bent forward and the bloom sitting on the ground. My iris aren't planted very deeply, pretty much just the roots are underground and then an inch or so of mulch lies on top of and around the iris. I was afraid of getting rot so I planted them all very shallow.

What can I do to prevent them from tipping over? Should I plant the iris deeper or will I do them harm trying to replant when they're in bloom? Or are there any sort of specific props I could use to keep the stalk upright with out detracting from the look of the iris bed? Any thoughts or advice would be very appreciated! Thanks!

~Rose

Featured Answer

dholt

17 years ago

Living in WINDY Texas, I know exactly where you're coming from. Planting deeper will not help at all... and is not recommended. Bamboo stakes, roughly 3/8" diameter and 36" tall can be found at most larger Home Improvement Centers. I get mine at Lowes. They also come in very ridgid green plastic of various lengths.You can buy 1/4" wide green ribbon in spools at a craft store. Simply push the stake into the ground, wrap the ribbon around the stalk and pull towards the stake until it's upright. Then tie a knot to hold the stalk where you want it to stay. Works great, simple, easy and inexpensive. The looped rods would work too, but you would have to push into the ground close to the rhizome, which I don't like to do. With the stakes, you can place virtually anywhere around the plant, and they are not too obtrusive. Good Luck... I've resorted to eliminating the ones that just can't take the wind.

Comments (9)

marvine
17 years ago
It's the combination of wind and weak stalks. I don't think planting deeper would do any good. Some will fall over even without wind. Thin bamboo sticks make for a good support. I use iron "rebar" but it's not very attractive.
goddessemer6
Original Author
17 years ago
I've looked at the iris closely today and I agree I don't think I can do anything but figure out a support for them. I seen something I liked online, but it was a bit pricey. I'll just have to get my DH to make something, I'm thinking maybe 18" thin rods of metal and have him twist the tops of them into a loop and just place the bloom stalks through them for support. Keeping my fingers crossed!

~Rose
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shilty
17 years ago
Where ever you find those green painted wooden stakes you will also find velcro green garden tape....allows you to
secure the stalk to the stake without a tight knot.

Takes about 1-1/2" piece per stalk.

Get the 48" stakes so you have enough to put deep into the ground and can stake the stalk up by the branching.
gaetanol
16 years ago
What's the best way to promote stronger stalks so they don't buckle under the weight of the flower?
shapiro
16 years ago
For Gaetanol: the 3rd number in fertilizer is potassium and it says on the package that potassium promotes stronger stalks, also resistance to disease and winter damage. Certain varieties of iris have thick, strong stalks and others just seem to be thinner and weaker. For instance, I have an iris called Autumn Snowdrift - white with a tinge of blue around the edges - it is beautiful but really bad for weak stems. C'est la vie!
Merry Hanlon Closson
8 years ago
Mine flop over, here in Cincinnati, regardless of weather conditions. I buy an inexpensive bag of plastic zip ties and as soon as they hit the ground, I zip that stalk to other stalks or even leaves. I have had good results, now I can mow by them as needed.
drmbear
8 years ago
When you divide and replant, do you cut back the flags (leaves) to 5-inches or so? Iris definitely do best when planted almost on the surface, with the top of the rhizome in the light. If you do not cut back the flags, there is no way at all the plants can get established in place without tipping over. They will send out roots very deep and wide to hold up the plant by the time new flowers and full leaves are there next year. Last September, I cut back every single one of my iris to about 5 inches to help eliminate the borers I had not so long ago that almost totally wiped out my iris. This spring I've had some of the most beautiful blooms ever and full lush foliage. These things can grow when it is time. Long ago, before I learned, I tried replanting after dividing without cutting back the flags and also had a problem with them falling over.
nancykvb
8 years ago
I use looped plant supports. They are easy to use and don't take away from the beauty of the flower. Not expensive either.