Re: FIRST TIME IRIS GARDENERS

Diana,  Annette Milch hit on the major questions when she asked where you lived and in what USDA zone (if you know) you live.  The answers to your other questions depend, to some extent at least, on where that is.  The basics are the same for anywhere, though:  never cut off the leaves while they are green, because they are the means for the plant to feed, and while they're green the rhizome is still growing.    In this area, which has very cold winters that may come on early at times, I never cut off a leaf until spring clean-up.  Just keep the dead or dying leaves picked off all the time, if you have time for it.  Dead leaves left on the ground may harbor diseases.  The only time to cut the leaves back to about 6" is when you have to transplant rhizomes.  Leaving the seed pods on the plant means the energy is going to making seeds rather than into the plant itself.  If you don't want the seeds, get rid of the pod as soon as you see it.  And as soon as all the flowers on a stem are gone it is best to cut or break off the stem as near the rhizome as you can.  I always cut, some always break, and both seem to work.
    As for suppliers, well, there are so many good and dependable ones.  The rule to follow is not to buy from a general nursery, certainly never from a Wal-Mart type store.  The discount places usually sell the rhizomes at the wrong time--they are in the store here right now, and any rhizomes planted in Iowa in October have "Death" written all over them.  Again, knowing where you live might help somebody on iris-talk give better advice about a good supplier in your own area.  That would enable you to get stock that was already acclimated to your conditions, and you might well get bloom the spring following planting.   Otherwise it often happens that you don't get many of them blooming the lst season.  Of course, there are all kinds of good and dependable national suppliers, too, and most of us on iris-talk can suggest some names and addresses.  For much of the country it's too late to plant this season, but farther south you can still do it.  So, again, your location is vital information.  
    Meanwhile, welcome to iris-talk.  You can find out a lot of information by reading what gets posted here.  And don't be afraid to ask questions, as you have done.  I'm a retired teacher, and I often told my students there is no such thing as a dumb question.  "Dumb" is to have a question and not to ask it, for then you'll never learn anything new.    Happy gardening!!  And be warned, iris growing can be addictive!!  The more you get the more you want!!  :-)  It's wonderful!!!!
Arnold

Arnold & Carol Koekkoek
38 7th Street, NE
Sioux Center, IA 51250
e-mail  koekkoek@mtcnet.net


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