Re: German Batik Iris

I live in an apartment complex, so it's not my ground and the clay is just too hard to deal with. They're also in the midst of renovation. I'd rather take my chance with pots, especially since there's still a chance I may move out of state.
What you suggest for the soil is what I planned to do. However, I was thinking about using pea granite, that I saw in the store, instead of vermiculite or perlite. I know the granite won't retain moisture like vermiculite or perlite. I was trying to mimic the stony soil that we had in Philmont. I've heard of the gel packs for retaining moisture. I think Gardeners' Supply might have them. The pots are generous size, but I'll keep an eye out to see if they're thirsty, and look out for too much nitrogen! 

Thank you very much.

Debbie
----- Original Message ----- From: <irischapman@aim.com> 
To: <iris@hort.net>
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 8:26 AM
Subject: Re: [iris] German Batik Iris
Anothr option, is to dig out an area of garden and replace soil with a better soil. I would think an area about 6" deep would work. I have grown iris in clay conditions, and they do well as long as there is drainage. A slightly raised bed would do as well as well as a slight slope. In dry conditions the clay develops ugly cracks and becomes as hard as concrete, but plants do well in spite of this.
I have seen many potted iris do well in pots and others that haven't. The ones that haven't done well are ones that have been treated too well. That is too rich a soil and too much fertilizer. Several times I've received calls from nursaries that have iris in pots with beautiful lush green foliage and no blooms. Just too much nitrogen.
Small pots just dry out too quickly so they need lots of watering, especially as plant matures and pot gets so crowded with roots that water can't easily penetrate root mass. Almost daily water is needed in warm weather. A good soak, not just a drink. Half barrels are great.
If in pots, try to use regular garden loam with some peralite or vemiculate to keep soil loose and to help retain moisture. There are also other water retaining devices such as the gels used in baby diapers. Sometimes these gels can be purchased from plant nursaries. If desperate, you can buy some diapers and salvage the inside of the diapers and mix that with the soil. Works great. 

Chuck Chapman

Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:53:17 -0500 (CDT)
From: Debra Winchell <dldove22@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: Re: [iris] German Batik Iris
I live near Albany, New York in Albany County. The original soil I don't think would work. It had so much clay in it I think you could make a pot directly out of it. It's very common in this area to have pools of water sitting around days after it rains. When I mixed in the other elements, most of it didn't break up but made balls of clay instead.
I know what you mean about the soil, though. I wouldn't have thought that our soil back home was good for iris, but I guess so. Unfortunately my parents sold the house a long time ago. I'll have to put on my thinking cap and see what I can come up with. 

Thanks very much.

Debbie



From: Robt R Pries <rpries@sbcglobal.net>
Date: 2008/04/16 Wed AM 08:36:05 CDT
To: iris@hort.net
Subject: Re: [iris] German Batik Iris



Debbie; 'Batik' is a wonderful Iris. It is not too difficult but it is
not as consistent a performer as many others. Nonetheless i think you are babying it too much. Bearded Iris like to grow best on clay-loam soils that are naturally basic. Most potting soils are a bit too acidic and lack the clay that retains some water in droughty conditions. Heavy mineral soils like clay provide the tight hold on some moisture that allows almost dry conditions without damaging the roots. Soils like most potting soils are almost all organic matter which often stays too wet and it it does dry is too dry. Since Bearded iris like a summer baking with an occasional week of drought, potting soils do not work all that well. Whatever soil you use it still needs to be well drained. Your original planting spot sounded good. I have many Irises I have grown temporarily in pots and they are not particularly fond of that culture and respond better to being in the soil. But Iris 
are tough and they will still grow and even bloom in pots. If you had
mentioned the part of the country you lived in I could give better directions. Areas where the soil is acid really need some lime added to the soil. Lime will make a clay soil more friable. If you are in a neutral soil, Gypsum will do the same but won't shift the ph to basic.Good luck on your Iris. Bob 

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