The Cultivation Method and Precautions of Iris
As a representative plant of traditional aquatic landscape gardening, iris, with its upright, sword-shaped leaves and unique aromatic temperament, holds an important position in the field of aquatic landscapes and potted plants. However, to truly master the essence of iris cultivation, it is necessary to systematically understand its growth habits and maintenance points.
Environmental Control Techniques
Balance of Light and Temperature
Iris is a typical plant that requires a lot of light, needing more than 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. In the summer, when it's hot, it needs to be shaded properly to prevent leaf burn. In winter, the temperature should be kept above 5℃, and in the northern regions, the rhizomes need to be deeply buried in the soil to overwinter, while potted plants can be moved to a sunny indoor area.
Water Management in Three Stages
In spring and autumn, maintain a stable water level of 3cm, increase it to 5cm in summer when evaporation is high, and only keep the substrate moist in winter. It is advisable to use tap water that has been standing for 2 days, and regularly add EM bacteria to maintain the ecological balance of the water.
Nutrition Supply Plan
Base and Top Dressing Combination
Pond mud has its own fertilizer effect, which can support the annual growth of iris planted in the ground. For potted plants, it is recommended to apply decomposed cake fertilizer in early spring, follow up with a compound fertilizer (10-10-10) in May, and supplement with bone meal in September to promote rhizome expansion. Pay attention to applying thin and frequent fertilization, and avoid contact between fertilizer solution and leaves.
Key Points for Potting and Dividing
Divide every 2 years in spring, keeping 3-5 growing buds as a clump. When repotting, use a red pottery pot to enhance breathability, place a 5cm layer of gravel at the bottom, and mix peat soil with river sand (2:1) as the substrate to ensure smooth root respiration.
Daily Maintenance Details
Timing for Shaping and Pruning
Prune the withered and old leaves before frost, keeping the new leaves for overwintering. After flowering, remove the remaining spikes in time to prevent nutrient consumption. Regularly remove the old leaves at the base to maintain ventilation and light penetration of the plant.
Key Points for Variety Identification
Water iris leaves can reach 1.5 meters, the inflorescence is yellow-green, and the rhizome has a strong fragrance. The most significant difference from stone iris is that the former must be grown in water, while the latter can be planted in dry land. When purchasing, pay attention to the shape of the rhizome, as the genuine product has obvious annular protrusions.
With scientific water level control, precise fertilization, and regular division, iris can maintain vigorous growth for many years. It is recommended to adjust the maintenance plan according to local climatic characteristics. When hydroponically cultivating, it can be combined with plants such as lotus and iris to create an ecological aquatic landscape, which can purify the water quality and enhance ornamental value.