Blind iris

[Jimny14]

I lifted and divided some large purple bearded iris rhizomes 2 autumns ago and planted them in a sunny spot near the base of a wall at the top of the bed to help drainage, rhizome half uncovered. They bloomed well last year but this year we have lots of healthy leaves but no flowers. We're on acidic stony clay. Any ideas how to help

[nickdub]

No harm in giving them a liquid feed from time to time to help build up the rhizomes - also sun is the key factor, so if there is any shade due to trees or shrubs, pruning them back will be a good idea.

[Jimny14]

Cheers, I wonder if the rubbish summer last year has something to do with it as we had very little sun. Might give em some bfb or similar to build em up again.

[Scarlet]

I have some very old ones that haven’t flowered for two years now....I’m going to try lifting and separating in the hope that they will flower next year.

[Earthgirl Jen]

Also worth bearing in mind Jimmy, if you've had a very dry spell over the last couple of months and as you've said they been planted in very well drained soil there may not have been enough 'moisture' to promote flowering... A plants sole purpose in life is to 'flower and set seed' to continue, but if the soil has been to dry for to long or gets intermittently watered then the plant goes into 'self preservation' mode and deems the conditions not suitable for flowering some years.

I hope this makes sense, just another point of view to confuse you! ...

[Jimny14]

Makes perfect sense Jen, it has been very dry here.

[Jimny14]

So quick update on the iris patch

[burnie]

An Iris grower was talking about this on the Chelsea flower show coverage, might still be available in the iplayer, can't remember the details as I was being bored to sleep at the time.