Newbie

---

Hello all:

 

I'm in need of some helpful advise that I'm sure many of you could offer.  I'm very new at growing Iris' but in a couple years now have almost 400 varieties (counting the ones scheduled to be shipped this month) and need to know many things but especially at this time about soil requirements. 

 

Last year I built a raised bed for my Iris order and had "top soil" brought in for the bed as I was told this was best.  Although, the rhizomes look good and are of good size, the leaves do not look all that healthy.  They have a yellowish green color to them with some spotting beginning to develop.  The Iris I already had that are in a flower bed of more organic soil have very green leaves with no spotting or anything.  Which soil is best?  I need to order for my new beds and want to make sure I'm getting the right soil.

 

I remember someone telling me that the more "green" you have the less flowers you'll get.  I don't know if she meant the color of the leaves or the quantity of them.

 

Please help.

 

Thanks,

 

Rob