Repotting Iris aucheri

[David Shaw]

We grow a few of the easier Juno's in pots and are just starting to re-pot them. This spring our Iris aucheri produced plenty of foliage but did not flower, the other species were OK. I have just read in Fritz Kohlein's book 'Iris' that "It (Iris aucheri) must cure completely in order to produce good blossoms the following year." However, Kohlein does not seem to explain the word 'cure' anywhere in the book. I wonder if he means that the bulbs must be left sitting out to really dry off completely for several weeks? What do others do when re-potting Juno's?

[David Nicholson]

David, I always leave mine in the dry until the end of August before I re-pot.

[PeterT]

Aucheri seems to need extra food and water in growth, but that said, it doesn't flower so well for me either. I don't think it likes the roots getting hot while in growth.
It is quite early for repotting junos.
As I understand it, -to "cure" a bulb is to give it a hot dry spell.

[Lesley Cox]

I'm not sure what he means by "cure" either but I would imagine he means they need a thorough drying off and resting period. I'd be loathe to do this outside the pot though, maybe just keep the pot extremely dry. Sometimes even a damp atmosphere, such as high humidity, or a bit of mist is enough to start growth even if the compost is thoroughly dry, or seems to be.

[David Shaw]

We have always re-potted at this time of year without any problems. The comment in the book is specific to I. aucheri, hence my asking. I will give the bulbs a little longer in the sun and then pot up again in a dry compost, as usual. Thanks for the comments.

[Otto Fauser]

David , I looked up I. aucheri in my german language edition of Fritz Koehlein's IRIS , in which Fritz writes :to ensure flowers for the next flowering season "ist ein gutes Ausreifen " which means a thorough ripening . I would follow Lesley's advise and give your bulbs a thorough warm ,dry resting period in the pot , as you would for most of the more difficult Juno species . However I have managed to grow a few bulbs of I. aucheri in the open garden for a number of years without any protection .

[David Shaw]

Thanks for that, Otto. 'Curing' and 'ripening' can mean the same thing to different translators. The bulbs now enjoying a good,warm drying session. Will leave them in the pot for longer next year.