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When to fertilize and what with?

14 years ago

I'm pretty new at irises. I planted a dozen of them last August, the Tall Bearded kind. What do you fertilize with? And, when? Is it too late to fertilize them now? I have some Osmocote, bonemeal, and alfalfa meal, will that work?

Thanks from a newbie iriser :)

Cathy

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Comments (3)

kentstar
Original Author
14 years ago
I have some Tomato Tone, 3-4-6, will that work better? That way it's lower in Nitrogen. Is it too late to fertilize them?
hosenemesis
14 years ago
I don't think you have to fertilize them. If they get too much nitrogen they rot. The tomato tone probably wouldn't hurt, though.
iris_gal
14 years ago
Schreiners fertilizes several weeks before bloom - can't remember how many. Maybe 8? Someone who visited shared that with us. Claim: bigger blooms.

No alfalfa meal. No Osmocote. Yes to tomato tone 3-4-6.

YES to bonemeal dug into the bed at planting time. It attaches chemically to the soil so needs to be down in the root zone. Supplies potassium long term.

Another grower fertilizes right after bloom which to me makes excellent sense. And once in early spring.

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