How do you propagate the iris? Division and cuttings both work
Because the iris has so many benefits and uses, more and more people are growing it, and once the iris has been grown for a certain amount of time, it needs to be propagated. However, many flower lovers do not understand how to propagate the iris, so today the editor will introduce three common methods of propagating the iris.
How to propagate the iris
The iris belongs to the genus Iris, and its main propagation methods are four: division, cuttings, sowing, and bulbs. Division and cuttings are more convenient, while sowing is used for large-scale planting or breeding new varieties.
Propagation methods for the iris
1. Division
1. Timing
The best time for division is spring or autumn, but you need to avoid the rainy season so that rain after propagation does not affect rooting. At the same time, propagate once every 2-4 years. The advantage of propagating in autumn is that the flower buds can fully differentiate before winter, which is good for blooming the following year.
2. Method
Choose robust, vigorously growing plants, take them out of the potting soil, and split the rhizome lengthwise. It is best to have 3-4 buds per clump; if the daughter plants are too thin, flowering will be affected. After splitting, cut off the upper leaves, leaving about 20 cm, and then plant them. When planting, do not bury them too deep; shallow planting is good for growth.
3. Care
After division, mainly keep the soil moist and do not fertilize immediately. Place it in a cool, ventilated spot and wait for the iris to take root. After 20-30 days, once it has rooted and sprouted, normal care can be resumed.
2. Cuttings
1. Timing
Among the propagation methods for the iris, cuttings are relatively easy, and the time is usually chosen in May-June.
2. Method
When using cuttings, how do you propagate the iris? Select healthy, thick iris plants, cut off the basically sprouted branches, and cut them into 15-20 cm cuttings, keeping 3-5 leaves, then insert them into the substrate, keeping the soil and air moist. Generally, they will root in 15-20 days.
3. Sowing
1. Timing
The best time for sowing is autumn, when the temperature is between 13-16 degrees, which is the most suitable temperature for iris germination.
2. Method
Select healthy seeds and disinfect them, then evenly broadcast them on a sand bed, lightly cover with potting soil about 2 cm thick, water appropriately, and keep the temperature at about 15 degrees. After sowing, they need 12-15 days to germinate, but flowering takes a long time, generally 2-3 days.
4. Bulb propagation
After the bulb blooms, it produces new roots, and many daughter bulbs appear around them. Take out the daughter bulbs and plant them for 1-2 years, and they can develop into flowering bulbs. This propagation method can cultivate robust plants free of disease, but the technical requirements are relatively high.
Propagation methods for the iris
Sowing propagation
The sowing time varies according to the desired flowering period and the climate characteristics of the region. In regions with mild winters and cool summers, sowing can be done all year round. Spring sowing blooms from June to September; summer sowing blooms in September and October; autumn sowing blooms in December; sowing in September and October blooms in February and March of the following year. Flowers can be had almost all year round. Sowing in autumn in September is best. Each gram has 700 seeds, and the suitable temperature for germination is 13°C to 16°C. After sowing, they germinate in 12-15 days, and from sowing to flowering takes about 100-110 days.
Cutting propagation
This is done in May-June. Under these climatic conditions, cutting propagation can be carried out. For autumn cuttings, add a little protection after winter begins, and they will bloom in early spring. Cut off the branches sprouting from the base of the plant, insert them into peat, and keep the air moist. They will root 15-20 days after cutting, and the survival rate will be higher.
Division propagation
Division is often done after flowering. The new plants separated out need to have 23 stem buds and very good fibrous roots;. Cut off the lateral branches with adventitious roots or the new rooted branches sprouting from the rhizome, and they can be potted directly and placed in a semi-shady spot to recover. In winter, they need sufficient sunlight.
In addition, it is worth mentioning that the blue iris is not only beautiful on the outside; its inner beauty is often talked about with relish. Blue iris tea has a delicate fragrance and a unique color, and has special health-preserving benefits.
Introduction to propagation methods for the iris
The iris is a very famous early spring flower today. It is called cold-resistant, and the duration of sunlight affects it more than the light intensity. It is often grown as a biennial plant. Some flower lovers grow the iris in pots at home and also like to propagate it themselves. Generally, the iris can be propagated by division, cuttings, and sowing.
Iris
Division propagation of the iris is carried out during the dormant period in early winter or early spring. First dig the old iris plant out of the soil, cut the rhizome into individual plants with 2-3 buds per section, and plant them once the cut surfaces have dried. Alternatively, after the iris blooms, cut off the leaves above 30 cm, divide and split them into clumps of 2-3 plants each for planting. With this iris division propagation method, they generally do not bloom until the 3rd year.
The cutting propagation method for the iris is often carried out in spring. Cut the iris rhizome into 6-8 cm cuttings, then insert them into a sand bed at a temperature of 20°C, leaving 1-1.5 cm of the iris top exposed. Water thoroughly at first, and afterward make sure the sand bed maintains a certain humidity. After about 2 weeks, the iris can sprout and form independent new plants. When the new plants put out 2-3 new leaves, the seedlings can be lifted and planted.
The sowing propagation method for the iris is often carried out when the top of the iris capsule is old and ripe and splitting. Collect the seeds and sow them immediately, and they sprout that same year. Using cold-stored seeds to break the iris dormancy, they germinate 10 days after sowing. Iris seedlings take 3-4 years to bloom.