Irises are popular with gardeners because they create an exotic atmosphere in the garden. Even when the plants have faded, the green leaves remain in the garden for a long time as a cute natural decoration. Iris plants are relatively easy to care for, but you need to take into account some tips to ensure that the flowers develop well. Annually you should prune the irises to ensure that your plant survives the winterabout staying healthy and for next springis prepared. Here you will get tips and instructions on why, when and how to prune correctly and what you can do to combat and prevent diseases on the plants.
Why do you have to cut irises?
By cutting the iris, you protect the roots and so the plant can gain new strength for growth. This is also a great way to keep iris plants in order. The most important reason, however, is to avoid illnesses in winter. Irises are susceptible to various diseases such as late blight, leaf spot and soft rot. These diseases are dangerous because they can quickly kill a plant. With timely and proper pruning you can prevent the spread of diseases.
When do you cut back irises?
You should cut the irises after they bloom. The plants only bloom once a season. When you prune spent irises, keep them tidy. Do not cut the iris leaves after flowering, but leave them until the first signs of frost. And if you want to divide irises, do so after they bloom. Remove all of them over the summeryellowed or damaged leaves. You should also remove debris on the rhizomes and pull back the mulch regularly to ensure that the rhizomes are not buried too deeply.
Should you prune irises in fall? Yes! The main pruning should take place exactly in autumn! Then cut off any remaining leaves and stems to just above the soil line. Don't cut them earlier as this will make the plants weaker next year. It is recommended to leave the foliage on the plant until mid-autumn so that the iris can regain its energy for overwintering and re-blooming next year.
At any time, you can cut off diseased or damaged leaves at the base of the plant to prevent further disease transmission. Dispose of the cut parts of the plant in the trash or bury them. If the plants start to look shabby, you can cut the leaves back by half. Always cut at an angle. It is best to do this in summer. Cutting back each iris leaf by about half its length creates a fan of cut leaves and these half leaves remain on the plant until the fall frost occurs and the iris plant is further cut back to just above the ground.
Here we explain how to grow irisescut correctly. When pruning irises, start by removing the dead flower heads once they have faded and begin to shrivel. Cut off the entire flower stalk at the end of the flowering period - cut where it meets the rhizome with sharp pruning shears. Shorten the stem so that it only protrudes three centimeters from the soil. You should do this as soon as the flowers fade in late spring and early summer.
When cutting the iris plant, use sharp, clean pruning shears and avoid tearing when cutting,so that you have healthy plantsget next year. If possible, cut the stem at an angle. If you cut it flat, rain and irrigation water will collect on the cut surface, which can lead to crown rot. Dispose of all leaves in the compost and dispose of diseased leaves in the regular trash can if necessary.
How do you fight and prevent diseases on plants?
As you prune the irises, take the time to check the plants for health. Watch for iris borers, rot, or other signs of pests and disease. You can combat pests and diseases if they are detected early! And unfortunately, iris plants are susceptible to various diseases. Bacterial leaf blight, botrytis, ink spot, soft rot and leaf spot are among the most common. These diseases cause brown spots or streaks on the leaves. As a result, the rhizomes can also rot and the entire plant ultimately dies.
What should you do to save your iris plants? Prune the affected areas regularly to prevent the disease from spreading. Avoid watering the irises in the evening and, if possible, use drip irrigation instead of a sprinkler to keep the leaves dry. The drier the foliage stays, the better.The diseases becomefavored by wet weather or humid conditions. Therefore, good air circulation is the key to preventing the diseases.
To keep your plants healthy, you can fertilize them with organic compost. In spring, spread a 2-inch layer of well-rotted old manure around the roots. The compost decomposes over the course of the growing season and provides the iris plants with plenty of nutrients.
