Iris reticulata in pots

[Mark Griffiths]

hi, I have some of the common Iris reticulata varieties - I want to grow them in pots - are they ok in half pots or do they need to be planted in deep pots? thanks in advance for any advice.

[David Nicholson]

Mark,I think they are better in deep pots and especially so if you want them last beyond just one flowering. I've had them in rose pots in the past.

[Mark Griffiths]

thanks Dave, I have a number of rose pots, how deep do you plant them?

[David Nicholson]

Mark, around 12-15cm deep.

[Graeme]

Mark, around 12-15cm deep.

whats that in old money - 5 to 6 inch

[David Nicholson]

No, I did mean inches not cm. Just got myself confused, it's an easy thing to do these days

[Mark Griffiths]

ok, now I'm confused, 12-15 inches deep?

[Lesley Cox]

I grow quite a lot in pots and plant them at about 3-4 inches (tops of bulbs) below the surface. I agree with David, deepish pots are best and to keep them flowering year on year, they need to be fed, Ian's Bulb Log advice being good. Sulphate of Potash, applied as the bulbs are beginning to root (late summer for me) and again after blooming to boost the leaves. They do look great in pots, no doubt about it.

Actually after a couple of years I tend to plant them out and buy some new bulbs for the pots. We can't get local stock, only out-of-season bulbs from Holland brought in by a couple of wholesalers. The first year they are still recovering from months in refrigeration to turn their season around.

[David Nicholson]

ok, now I'm confused, 12-15 inches deep?

Cor blimey, I've confused the issue as well as myself! I didn't have a pot in front of me Mark and simply guessed at the measurement. What I should have said is a little more than about half way down.

[Mark Griffiths]

thanks both.

I'd got some early this year and realised I needed to repot them - I was a bit surprised to see they have alot of new root on them this early.