Iris season in Japan. Japanese iris: varieties and care proper fit

The amazing Japanese iris plant attracts many flower growers with its exotic appearance. It is considered an unpretentious plant, but only when the planting conditions are met and proper care is provided in the open field. Violation of the requirements will provoke a feature of the iris: it is simple. It will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the description of all the agrotechnical nuances of reproduction and wintering in order to preserve the flower. And photos will help you choose the right variety from the whole variety.

The origin left an imprint on their frost resistance. Therefore, you should choose from varieties adapted by breeders, otherwise the plant will die in winter or will not bloom.

"Vasily Alferov" is a proven high variety with flowers up to 20 cm. Starting from the end of June, it will delight with an exquisite purple color for almost a month.
"Altai" - the lilac shade of this variety will give aesthetic pleasure in just 2 weeks of flowering.
“Ghost of happiness” - a slightly smaller flower size wins due to 6 petals with a pale lilac color on a white background, the stains of which gradually disappear towards the end of flowering, which was the reason for the name.

A huge selection of varieties is limited only by the weather of the growing region, but another important point is to choose a suitable planting site.

Location on site

Iris Japanese feels good in partial shade

slightly acidic light loamy - ideal;
alkaline - inhibits growth and blooms poorly.

The place can be with light penumbra, although the Japanese iris perceives the sun well. It is worth considering the landing site in advance, because irises are perennial plants. If the place is low, you need to raise it.

Advice. Japanese iris does not like transplants - it should be done no more than once every few years.

Growing, the iris releases roots to the surface, which must be constantly sprinkled with soil so that the young root system gains strength. Therefore, companion plants should have a different root system - with deeper rooting.

Landing

Landing is carried out at the end of May or at the beginning of September. The process is somewhat different from the standard one - it's all about the roots of the plant, which require certain actions:

Landing holes are made at a considerable distance from each other - 30-35 cm.
A hole is dug 7-10 cm deep with a small mound in the middle, where the central part will be located, and the processes of the roots are distributed evenly around.
Sprinkled with soil with light tamping. Abundant watering is carried out.

You can plant irises in spring and autumn

As they grow, they monitor the appearance of weeds, which should be disposed of with extreme care. Carefully carry out loosening as needed. For tall varieties, especially for single plantings, tying may be required.

Advice. The main fertilization is done when the flower spends a lot of energy for active growth - the vegetative period.

Fertilizer requirements:

complex with potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen;
mullein.

A separate clarification requires the use of mullein. If there is no opportunity and desire to mess with this matter on your own, you can purchase ready-made variations (in various forms: dry and bottled solution). But its importance for irises cannot be overestimated, because it contains many useful trace elements for full development.

Special watering

Abundant watering is required for iris only during flowering. But doing this with an exotic flower is also worth it in a special way: exceptionally soft water. The simplest, most effective analogues of tap water:

rain;
well defended;
filtered;

Water abundantly flowering irises

adding drugs for neutralization;
adding wood ash.

Irrigation is best done in the evening. It will endure dry periods quite easily, therefore, after flowering it does not require close attention, on the contrary, from August some dryness of the soil is useful - this is how the iris will winter better.

Wintering

With the onset of cold weather, the leaves of the iris are completely cut off, leaving the top in the region of 10 cm above the ground. Despite frost resistance, shelter will still have to be done. It is removed when the weather is consistently warm. If you want more effective development in the spring, you should use special covering materials. They are not removed until the plant begins to actively produce leaves.

Irises need shelter for wintering

Reproduction of Japanese variants is carried out by dividing the root, and with a certain skill it is not necessary to dig up the plant, since the root system comes to the surface. It can be propagated by seed, but this requires a greenhouse. In it you need to store pots with sown seeds. Another drawback of the method is that it is easy to lose varietal parental characteristics and get an inexpressive plant.

Japanese irises do not bring any particular difficulties in terms of morbidity. The only thing that can harm flowers is thrips insects. If an infection occurs, immediately seek help from insecticides. And in order to protect the iris from adversity, they carry out prophylaxis 1.5 months before flowering.

But in general, this is a problem-free plant, it is only important to plant it correctly, water it correctly and save it from frost. And then this exotic flower will please with flowering and become an object of pride.

Japanese irises: video

Have you ever heard of the Japanese variety of irises? In their historical homeland, they are considered plants of the samurai - the same persistent warriors. Such a comparison, admittedly, is not quite accidental, since the Japanese iris itself is quite unpretentious and hardy, therefore, there is nothing strange in the fact that almost every garden needs such a “strong support”.

One of the features of Japanese irises is that they are not water crops and, in principle, need watering only during flowering. For the rest of the time, the culture tolerates droughts very painlessly, which makes it just an ideal "tenant" of remote summer cottages. But, there are other features in cultivation, which also would not hurt to know ....

Japanese iris: planting and care

Of course, all experienced gardeners know that Japanese irises prefer to receive planting and care, although not too scrupulous, but, nevertheless, this plant still has certain requirements. So, for example, if we talk about the most suitable conditions for growing xiphoid irises (and this is their second name), then attention should be paid to the following indicators:

Choose the right place to land. So, the area under the irises must certainly be well lit or, in extreme cases, have a light penumbra. You probably know for sure if you have been growing Japanese irises for a long time, planting and caring for them in the “wild nature” is carried out in a wet meadow, and therefore it is logical that in a rather arid climate you will have to independently replenish the missing amount of water in the soil. But, just don’t think that you can solve the “problem” in a cunning way, simply by planting a xiphoid iris somewhere in a pond. This mistake, it must be admitted, is inherent in quite a few gardeners, especially beginners, who are not aware that this variety is not a hydrophyte. A similar phenomenon, that is, flooding “fields with irises” with water, is sometimes practiced in Japan, but this happens only when the flower is simply insatiable - during flowering, which, in principle, has already been noticed.

Pay attention to the composition of the soil. Whatever you say, but the right soil can deprive you of just a huge piece of work, which is often not what you want to do. Therefore, if you want a beautiful and healthy Japanese iris to decorate the flower garden, planting and care of this crop should take place on slightly acidic loams. At the same time, in no case plant bulbs in alkaline lands, since such an iris is considered a fairly well-known calcephobe. As for some other measures to prepare the soil for planting planting material, here you will also have to clear the ground of weeds and lightly “refuel” it with compost.

- Be aware of low winter hardiness. Alas, another feature of this species, while unpleasant, is that the xiphoid iris does not support solidarity with its other "relatives" and cannot boast of good endurance in the Russian climate. There are exceptions, of course, but they are quite rare. The necessary information can be found on the package with seeds.

Features of agricultural technology for planting Japanese irises

You can plant your favorite culture, by and large, both in spring and autumn, but still, if possible, it is worth holding this event at the very end of summer or at the beginning of autumn. As for the northwestern regions of the country, here the second half of May is also considered the best time for planting, in addition to the already named period of August-September.

Remembering directly the landing process itself, it can be noted that it occurs approximately as follows:

Separation of all old parts of rhizomes without buds and division of the bush, if necessary;

Preparation of leaves and roots, for which they are slightly shortened;

Preparation of landing pits at a distance of about 30 - 35 centimeters from each other (this figure can be reduced with group plantings);

The deepening of the rhizomes in the pits to a depth of about 5 - 7 centimeters, after which the latter are sprinkled with earth and watered quite plentifully.

How to care for Japanese irises?

Despite the unpretentiousness of this crop, you still need to remember the importance of top dressing, which will need to be carried out about 2 to 3 times, choosing the growing season for this. By the way, it is best to give preference, since it is they that contain the entire “set” of trace elements. In addition, Japanese irises do not disdain organic matter and will react very positively to a 10% mullein solution.

As for the preparation of plants for cold weather, initially it consists in autumn pruning of leaves at a height of about 10 - 15 centimeters from ground level. After that, the place around the rhizome should definitely be covered with a not too thick layer of nutritious soil mixture, which is covered from above with spruce branches or dried oak leaves. In this state, irises should be until spring, before the onset of heat.

How to propagate xiphoid iris?

Of course, quite a few gardeners are interested in this question, and they are all looking for the easiest ways to get a few more bushes of their favorite plant. The most widely used is the vegetative method, as well. It is worth resorting to the first option only after the flowering of plants is completely completed, and it is better to endure one more month from that moment. In general, depending on weather conditions, it will be possible to start dividing the bushes somewhere from mid-August to October inclusive. In this case, each extracted rhizome can be divided into about 3 - 8 parts.

Varieties of Japanese irises and their uses

Today, you can find quite a lot of interesting offers in flower beds and on the shelves, but, nevertheless, the most famous and favorite varieties are Good Omen, Kogesho, Frekld Geisha, Queens Tiara, Kiyozuru, Nessa no Mei, Momogasumi and others. At the same time, each of the listed specimens is best placed in such a way that you can admire their indescribable beauties from above. Everything is explained by a rather interesting and “lively” picture, in which the thin, graceful deciduous part of the culture acquires interesting colors over time, eventually turning into a beautiful bronze hue.

Hana-shobu, and that is what they call the xiphoid iris in their homeland - this is a piece of such exotic in any garden. Their incredible colors can bewitch almost any casual passerby, and the extreme resistance to disease pleases every summer resident. So, it's time to take matters into your own hands and bring your front garden to an amazingly beautiful view!

Share useful information:

Along with this article, they usually read:

Do you dream of changing something in your flower bed, but you just can’t think of anything sensible? Perhaps it would be worth paying attention to the variety of Dutch irises, which are famous for their easy care and interesting colors?

Always suffering from the fact that no plants can take root in your shady or too wet front garden? There is a way out and, moreover, it is very nice, because in such conditions marsh irises will simply feel wonderful - unusually beautiful and unpretentious flowers.

Proper transplantation of irises and further care for them are the main guarantees that your front garden will have bright flowering carpets that delight with multi-colored buds. You should also take into account this couple of nuances ....

In Japan, these irises are quite rightly considered one of the most unpretentious and hardy plants; this is a samurai flower, symbolizing the stamina of a man and a warrior. And what kind of garden does not need such support and participation.

Japanese irises are usually called hybrids of Iris ensata - xiphoid iris or, otherwise, Kaempfer's iris, an integral element of traditional Japanese gardens, which is the result of centuries-old work of Japanese gardeners-breeders. They have the largest open-lobed flowers of any iris, reaching up to 25 cm in diameter and living for three days, and longer in cool weather. They come in both 3-petal and 6-petal and even terry. The usual flowering period for Japanese irises in the Moscow region is the second half of July, which significantly expands the overall range of flowering irises in the garden. In temperate climates, the usual height of varietal Japanese irises is about 70 cm, and the species xiphoid iris can reach 1.5 m. This must be taken into account when selecting plants in groups.

Available varieties: Vine Raffles, Momogasumi, Frekld Geisha. Photos are in order above.

Growing Features

The site for planting Japanese irises should be in a wandering shade or in the sun, in full shade and under trees they grow poorly and do not bloom at all. The best soil is light loam with a slightly acidic reaction, moderately fertilized with compost. These irises do not tolerate excess calcium, so they are not recommended to be planted after bearded irises, under which lime is usually applied. And if the water in the area is too hard, it is also desirable to water with soft rain. You can make a low side of the ground around the plantings to retain moisture during precipitation, but then it should also be provided for its removal after the irises have faded. When choosing a place, you need to take into account that it is recommended to transplant irises to a new site every 5 to 7 years.

Application

In Japanese, iris flowers are viewed from above in order to see the core, where the “soul of the flower” lives. For their cultivation, you can use very low containers or plant them in a lowland. Large flowers and low light leaves of Japanese irises will look great in separate group plantings, but you can “settle” them surrounded by astilbes, poppies, primroses, bathing suits, loosestrife or gypsophila.

Japanese iris in its homeland is considered the most unpretentious and hardy plant. It is called the flower of the samurai. The Japanese iris is not an aquatic plant, but it needs a lot of moisture at the time of flowering.
Japanese iris has large flowers, the diameter of which is 14-25 cm. The flower consists of three outer lobes, a perianth and small protruding inner lobes.
Iris Xiphoid is a perennial with a thick erect rhizome. The leaves are xiphoid, their length is 25-60 cm, and their width is 1.5-3 cm. The color of the leaves is dark green or yellow-green, and red-brown at the base. Photo of Japanese iris:

Japanese xiphoid iris

Varieties
Care
reproduction

Family: Iris

Origin: China, Japan and Myanmar

Flowering: June or July, depending on the variety

Height: 80 to 130 cm

Light: open sunny areas

Temperature: they can die at a temperature of -23 degrees, it is advisable to cover for the winter

Humidity: Water abundantly, especially during the flowering period.

Top dressing: 2-3 times a year, intensively during the growing season

Transplant: in spring or autumn, like planting, but preferably in autumn

Reproduction: division of the rhizome

In its natural environment, Japanese iris grows in marshy meadows and forest edges in China, Japan and Myanmar. For a long time, due to its eastern origin, Japanese iris was practically unknown in other countries. But now, thanks to botanists from the USA and Russia, the collection of iris varieties is already about a thousand items.

There are varieties with different frost resistance, flowering time, height, color of flowers, simple and double.

Varieties bred in Japan and the United States are less frost-resistant and can be grown only in regions with a warm climate. In temperate climates, heat-loving varieties either freeze or do not bloom.

Japanese iris varieties Vasily Alferov

Of the frost-resistant varieties bred in Russia, the most cold-resistant and popular are:

"Vasily Alferov" -

a variety of Japanese iris, the height of which is 100-110 cm.

Peduncle strong, arrow-shaped with 3-4 flowers.
Flower diameter 18-20 cm.
This variety blooms with a rich purple color.
The flowers are velvety, with bright golden yellow eyes.
Flowering begins at the end of June and lasts up to 19 days.

This variety of iris is stable in the ground, and look at the photo above to see how it looks.

"Altai" -

Japanese iris of this variety blooms with lilac flowers with a small tongue, lemon-colored.

Flowering begins in July and lasts more than 14 days.

Photo variety "Altai" below:

Japanese iris variety "Six-eyed"

differs from others in its flat six-petalled flowers.

"Phantom of Happiness" -

a variety of iris, the flowers of which also have six petals with a diameter of 13.6 cm.

This variety blooms with white flowers with pale lilac stains, which disappear with age.

This iris is 87 cm high.

Flowering begins in July from the 8th to the 24th.

"Vivat Rodionenko" -

a six-petal variety, with light, purple-hued flowers that have bluish spots and veins.

Pestle white. The flowers are 12 cm in diameter, the petals are rounded. There are two flowers in the inflorescence. The height of this variety of iris is 90 cm. Flowering begins on July 4-10 and lasts up to 14 days. What this variety looks like, look at the photo:

Iris Japanese varieties "Altai"

Of the frost-resistant varieties, the following are also known: "Nawzi kaa", "Oyoodo", "Dersu Uzala",
"Plenitsa", "Dobrynya".

In warm regions, where varieties of Japanese iris develop well even without shelter, there are much more opportunities to choose a variety. More famous than others are:

"Pink Cloud" -

The height of irises of this variety reaches 1 m.

Large flower, double.
Flowering begins in mid-July.

The variety "Pink Cloud" has an average resistance to diseases.

Caprician Butterfly-

In height, the iris of this variety reaches 90–120 cm.

This iris is very fond of bees and butterflies.
6 flowers can bloom at the same time.
Flowers white-blue with yellow arrows, diameter 21 cm.
Flowering begins in June-July.

Variety Caprician Butterfly, pictured:

"Lilac Haze" -

the height of the irises of this variety is 1.5 m. Flowers with three petals and large.

Flowering begins in the second half of July.

This variety is fairly disease resistant.

"Agripinella" -

a variety of Japanese irises that have purple flowers, with white patches in the form of rays and yellow stripes.

The diameter of the flowers is 17 cm, and they begin to bloom in June-July.

This iris is 95 cm high.

Variety Gusto -

iris, which blooms with white flowers with a blue border and yellow stripes.

Flowers diameter 18 cm.

Flowering begins in May-June. Plant height 80 cm, see photo:

Japanese iris varieties Gusto

Also often found are such varieties as: "Dark Night", "Amur Bay", "First Waltz", "Prima Balerina", "Mommojido", "Hanayako" and "Enshunada".

Care

Experienced gardeners know that Japanese irises do not need scrupulous care, but certain growing rules should be followed.

For example, the following growing conditions are suitable:

The right place to land.

It is better to plant irises in open, sunlit or, in extreme cases, in semi-shaded areas of the garden.
In Japan, planting, growing and caring for irises takes place in wet meadows, so in dry weather it is necessary to artificially compensate for the lack of moisture.

To solve the problem with a lack of moisture by planting a plant in a pond will not work. Japanese iris is not an aquatic plant.

In Japan, such care for irises as flooding the fields is sometimes practiced, but they do this only when the plant needs a very large amount of moisture - at the time of flowering.

Soil quality indicators.

The correct composition of the soil for irises is a moment that will make caring for them half as easy.

Therefore, you can get beautiful Japanese irises on your site if the plants are planted on slightly acidic loamy soils.
Irises are very sensitive to alkaline soils.
Before planting and when growing these plants, soil care such as weed removal and top dressing with compost is also very important.

Plant care in winter.

Japanese irises are not particularly frost-resistant.

Here it is very important to choose varieties that are most suitable for growing in a particular climate and strictly follow the recommendations for care.

Japanese iris Freelde Enchantment

Planting and transplanting xiphoid irises can be carried out both in spring and in autumn. But it is advisable to do this in the first week of autumn.

planting irises occurs approximately according to the following scheme:
preparation of planting material;
division into parts of rhizomes with leaves;
excavation of planting holes. Holes are made at a distance of 35 cm from each other. The distance between the holes for group plantings can be made 5 cm less.
Planting out plants. Irises are buried in the ground by 3-5 cm, covered with earth and watered.

Top dressing of irises is carried out 2-3 times a year, and the main fertilization should fall on the vegetative period.

It is preferable to apply complex fertilizers, as they contain a sufficient amount of trace elements necessary for irises.
In addition to complex fertilizers, irises respond well to a 10% mullein solution.
The Japanese iris does not develop horizontally, but rises up, forming a tussock, so the ground around the plant must be sprinkled and mulched.
Such care will ensure the development of young roots.
It happens that the leaves of irises begin to turn yellow, to get rid of such troubles, you need to spray and water the plant with iron chelate.

Preparation for wintering consists in pruning leaves.

The leaves are cut so that only 10–15 cm remain above the ground.

After pruning, the rhizome and the ground around it must be covered with a nutritious soil mixture, and then covered with spruce branches or dry leaves.

In such a shelter, irises should be until the onset of steadily warm spring weather. Heat-loving varieties can be covered with foil or lutrasil in spring and autumn. Shelter can be left on plants until it interferes with growing leaves. In order for Japanese irises to bloom magnificently, they simply need such care as plentiful and timely watering. But it is desirable to water irises with "soft" water.

It is advisable to build a side of turf or earth around the place where the irises grow. The side will retain soft rainwater. Surrounding irises with water, as they do in Japan, drainage must be provided. Stagnant water can also cause acidification of the soil, and this can lead to the development of rot, although Japanese irises are not predisposed to them.

Planting a plant

Of the harmful insects, only thrips can bring the greatest harm to Japanese irises. You can fight them with insecticides. And after autumn pruning, it is advisable to burn the leaves, thus destroying the laying of eggs. Leaves should be cut after frost, as early leaf pruning has a negative effect on flowering.

reproduction

Reproduction of irises occurs by dividing the rhizome, which has a good ability to regenerate.

It is necessary to divide the rhizome so that on each separated part there are several leaves, including 1-2 of the young ones.
The leaves are cut off by 2/3, 10–15 cm should remain, and the roots should be a maximum of 10 cm.
The separated parts should be allowed to dry for 1-2 days, or you can treat the cut points with crushed charcoal. Such care of planting material prevents decay.
After drying or processing parts of the rhizomes, they can be planted in the ground, deepening by 1–3 cm and watered abundantly.
After the soil shrinks, the upper part of the rhizome will be on the surface - this is natural for these flowers.
Due to its good regenerative capacity, it is possible to divide irises without digging up the parent plant.
To do this, you need to cut off part of the young links with a bunch of leaves (pictured).
Thus, it is possible to carry out the procedure for rejuvenating the bush.

If you wish, you can propagate irises and seeds.

To do this, after the petals fall off, leave a few ovaries that will ripen in their boxes.
In autumn, they will have matured seeds that have a hard shell.
These seeds must be removed and immediately sown in pots.
The soil necessary for seeds is a sandy substrate.
It is advisable to put the seed pots in an unheated greenhouse for the whole winter.
Seeds will sprout only in the spring, when it is already warm in the greenhouse.
Iris seedlings should be kept in pots in the greenhouse until they are strong enough to be transplanted into the ground.

But reproduction by seeds does not preserve the varietal affiliation of the plant. Therefore, grown irises can have a completely different color and flower shape.

In its homeland, in Japan, the xiphoid iris is called Hana-shobu. Not only the name sounds exotic, but the flower itself is very unusual. By planting such an exotic, you can decorate your garden, and Japanese irises will become your pride.

You will learn about the use of Japanese irises in garden design from the video.

By the second half of July, many flowers fade. But it is at this time that the Japanese iris blooms. The flower, which appeared several millennia ago, is distinguished by bizarre forms that provided the plant with wide distribution. There are more than 1000 varieties of Japanese iris, differing in appearance, flowering time, place of growth and care requirements.

This variety of irises grows not only in Japan, but also far beyond the borders of the Land of the Rising Sun. The plant got its name due to the fact that it has been cultivated here for more than 500 years. However, wild-growing varieties of the plant are found on the territory of the Russian Far East. Iris has Chinese roots, since it was in the Celestial Empire that the plant began to be cultivated. Later, the Japanese adopted the culture of growing a flower from their neighbors.

Despite the wide variety of varieties, all Japanese irises have one distinctive feature: a large flower of a non-standard shape.

Regardless of the type, each plant has the following characteristics:

superficial root system;
stems short or branched;
leaves are sword-shaped and 25-60 centimeters long, grouped along the stem;
the diameter of the flowers is 15-25 centimeters;
flowers solitary or collected in inflorescences;
rare varieties of iris exude a smell;
blooms within 3-5 days;
grows with sufficient watering and on the sunny side;
tolerates diseases well and badly - frosts.

The flowers of the Japanese iris are two-tiered: the first form the perianth lobes ("waterfalls"), the second - the inner petals ("dome"). At the base is a tube that looks like an orchid. Japanese iris is distinguished by a variety of colors, ranging from light to dark (up to black) shades.

Variety of species of Japanese irises

There are more than one thousand species of Japanese iris. There are varieties that grow only in water. Others are "attracted" by areas with rare rains. There are varieties, the length of which reaches one meter.

Good Omen

The Good Omen variety is distinguished by the following characteristics:

lilac-violet leaves;
stem length - 80-120 centimeters;
resistant to bacteria.

The plant has poor frost resistance, therefore it requires shelter for the winter.

Queens Tiara

Queens Tiara reaches 90 cm in height. The petals of this flower have a lilac-white tint and reach 15 centimeters in diameter. Unlike other varieties of Japanese iris, Queens Tiara tolerates frost well.

Nessa no Mai

In height, the iris of this variety grows by 70-80 centimeters. The flowers of the plant are distinguished by a variety of shades: the central part is white, and purple and yellow spots are present on the petals. The plant does not require abundant watering and dies in waterlogged (marshy) areas. The Nessa no Mai variety does not tolerate frost well, so the iris must be covered before the onset of cold weather.

Freckld Geisha

The average height of the iris stems of the Frekld Geisha variety is 85 centimeters. The leaves have a white color, which is "diluted" with lilac spots. Freckled Geisha irises grow in light, loamy, acid-free soils. The plant dies in waterlogged soil and during frosts.

Kogesho

The variety belongs to the dwarf variety of Japanese iris. The length of the Kogesho stem reaches 60-80 centimeters. In this case, the diameter of the flower is 19 centimeters. The petals of Kogesho are white with yellow spots, and the central part is pink. The variety grows in sunny and dry areas, hidden from strong winds.

Features of agricultural technology for Japanese irises

Japanese irises rarely get sick. However, this culture makes relatively high demands in terms of care and habitat. Before planting a plant, it is recommended to decide on a variety suitable for a particular growing region.

Most irises do not tolerate frost well, but appear from under the soil in March-April. Therefore, when growing in Central Russia, it is worth purchasing high-quality covering material.

Irises do not tolerate contact with potassium, and therefore the plant is not recommended to be planted in limestone soils. The soil with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction is considered optimal for a flower. Also, the plant can be planted in a soil mixture consisting of:

rotted organics (leaves, grass);
loam;
phosphate fertilizer;
peat.

When planting, the leaves and root system are shortened. Holes for iris are recommended to be made at a distance of 30-35 centimeters. When dividing a bush, flowers should be planted deeper than they were previously.

The plant loves rain soil, to hold which gardeners often form bumpers around the beds. It must be remembered that iris does not grow well in waterlogged soil. Therefore, organizing the sides, it is necessary to provide for a drainage for rainwater.

Irises grow in well-lit areas. When choosing a place, it is recommended to give preference to the sunny side, away from tall trees. The plant is buried no more than 3-7 centimeters. This layer of soil is sufficient for normal nutrition and protection from drying out. For soil mulching, pine nut shells, coniferous waste or crushed bark are used.

After planting, the flowers should be watered abundantly. If Japanese irises are planted on the territory of Central Russia, in the spring it is recommended to cover the plant with plastic wrap by organizing a small greenhouse.

Site requirements for planting Japanese irises

The main requirements for the site were given earlier. When grown outdoors, irises need abundant watering (especially during the flowering period). At the same time, it is important to prevent waterlogging of the soil. For irrigation, rainwater should be used, for the collection of which separate containers are installed on the site.

In order for moisture to linger for a long time next to the flowers, gardeners make small holes near the bushes.
Dividing and planting Japanese iris bushes
in northern latitudes - in late August or early September;
in the southern regions - at the end of September or the beginning of October;
for the south and north - in the second half of May.

When dividing or planting, it is necessary to remove old and dead roots that do not have buds. The plant is dried for several days, and then planted in the prepared area. After purchase, the flowers are not recommended to be kept in the cold for a long time. Roots that do not receive moisture dry out and the irises die.
If necessary, the plant is first planted in a container and kept until mid-May at a temperature of 15-18 degrees.

On the site, irises are recommended to be placed at a distance of 30 centimeters. When forming beds, plants can be planted denser relative to each other. Rhizomes and leaves are shortened by 2/3. During the initial planting, the flower deepens by 3-5 centimeters, when dividing - by 5-7 centimeters.
When placing the plant on the site, the soil is first mulched with peat (needed to maintain moisture) and coniferous waste, and then watered abundantly.
Japanese iris fertilizer
Fertilizer for Japanese irises is applied twice or thrice a year, during the growing season. The first time the flower is fed after planting. For this, mineral fertilizers or a weak solution of cow dung are used (mixed with water in a ratio of 1:10). During the growth period, the plant is recommended to be regularly mulched. This contributes to a uniform and abundant flow of oxygen, due to which young roots develop.
In summer, Japanese irises are sprayed with iron chelate or a weak solution of manganese. This procedure is carried out in order to prevent early yellowing of the leaves.
Pests and diseases of Japanese irises
Japanese irises rarely get sick. However, the plant is susceptible to rot in waterlogged soils. Therefore, before planting a flower, it is recommended to organize a drainage layer by adding sand or fine expanded clay to the soil. This will prevent souring and waterlogging of the soil.
Irises are susceptible to thrips. If signs of infection by these insects are found, the flowers should be treated with insecticides. In autumn, affected leaves and petals should be cut and burned. This prevents re-infection of new plants the next year, as insect eggs are destroyed.
Preparing Japanese irises for winter
Irises begin to prepare for winter in mid-October. To do this, the plant is cut to 15 centimeters. If non-frost-resistant varieties are grown on the site, then the flowers are then covered with a 15-centimeter layer of mulch or spruce branches. The following option is considered the best solution for wintering: the plant is covered with dry leaves, and the top is covered with plastic wrap stretched over wire arcs.
Growing Japanese irises in a container
Japanese irises, due to the peculiarities of growth (rhizomes do not diverge in breadth), are suitable for growing in containers. This method of planting is used in cases where the plant is placed in water bodies. It is allowed to lower the flowers into the water by 5-8 centimeters.
It should be planted in reservoirs with the onset of summer. Irises are taken out of the water in August, when the temperature of the air (and water) begins to drop at night. After that, the container must be buried in the greenhouse and left until next year, following the previously described manipulations to prepare for winter.
When growing Japanese irises in a container, it is necessary to regularly sprinkle and mulch the soil. This is due to the fact that the plant is pulled up, thereby forming a bump around the trunk. When grown in containers, it is recommended to divide and replant the flowers more often. Otherwise, over time, the irises will not have enough space for the development of the root system, which will lead to the death of the culture.
Control of diseases and pests of Japanese irises
Common diseases that Japanese irises are susceptible to include:
Bacteriosis. There is no specific treatment for this disease. Leaves affected by bacteriosis are removed and burned. If necessary, the flowers are removed from the flower bed along with the roots.
Wet rot. To prevent infection, the roots are kept for half an hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate before planting.
Fusarium (gray rot). In order to prevent infection and in the treatment, a 5% solution of bicarbonate soda or copper sulfate is used.
Heterosporiasis. To prevent infection, it is necessary to introduce phosphate fertilizers in doses. In the treatment of heterosporiosis, fungicides are used.
Botrytis. In the treatment of the disease, fungicides of the triazole class are used.
Leaf mosaic. The affected leaves must be removed, and the plant must be sprayed with a 0.2% solution of copper oxychloride.

If thrips are found, the flowers should be treated with a mixture obtained from 90 grams of karbofos emulsion and 10 liters of water. The plant is sprayed once a week. To combat the bronze beetle, Kinmiks solution is used.