How to feed irises: terms and rules for fertilizing

Irises are flowers that are found everywhere. Thanks to this feature, it seems that the composition of the soil is not important for their growth. "Iris" and "cockerels", as they are often called by the people, need to be fed. Every gardener who grows irises should know what to fertilize them, how to do it and when is the best time to carry out the procedure.

Soil Requirements

A planted young plant in one place can "live" up to 5 years. After that, the irises gradually fade. The lack of fertilizer affects their appearance and growth.

Iris prefers non-acidic and loose soils.It can be loam, sand or sandy loam. The culture pleases with abundant flowering on any soil, if nutrients are regularly added to it. Peat or sand is added to clay soil, and sour soil is saturated with wood ash, chalk or lime.

Types of fertilizers for irises

Inexperienced gardeners do not deal with this issue, as they believe that all substances must be bought in specialized stores, but this is not the case. The components of high-quality fertilizer can be found on your own site. They are also made at home.

Wood ash

It is an organic substance that supports the normal development of the root system. It contains phosphorus, potassium, as well as a whole range of micronutrients. Wood ash acts as a food that feeds on soil-improving microorganisms.

Compost

The fertilizer has a loose consistency, which improves the air permeability of the soil. Compost is a complex of nutrients. It also contains humus.

Two or three year old compost is used as fertilizer for irises.

Must

After making humus, there is no need to fertilize irises for 2-3 years. In order for the substance to give a positive effect, it is recommended to take a rotted mass that has lain for at least 1.5 years. Before making the humus is diluted with water. The plant is watered with liquid immediately without infusion. When top dressing, it is important not to oversaturate the soil, so all the liquid should be absorbed.

Mineral fertilizers

Suitable for both single-component and complex fertilizers. The basis of the first can be phosphorus or potassium. Mineral blends are also well absorbed by irises.

Timing for feeding irises

Fertilization is carried out at certain times of the year and depends on the stage of development at which the plant is located. There is a time when irises quickly absorb mineral fertilizers. There is also a certain period when organics can be applied.

How to feed irises in early spring

Fertilization at this time of the year is an important step in flower care. Early spring top dressing contributes to the rapid growth of the vegetative part of the crop. At this time, the soil is saturated with potassium and nitrogen. In the spring, irises are fed with mineral fertilizers. Potassium s alt and ammonium nitrate will saturate the plant with everything necessary for the normal development of the aboveground and underground parts.

How to fertilize irises before flowering

During the growing season, the plant has 2 growth waves. As a result of this, he will need re-saturation with nutrients. If you correctly calculate the moment of fertilizing, the gardener will be able to achieve the maximum effect.

In the budding phase and the beginning of flowering, the first wave of growth is noted. As a rule, the beginning falls at the end of May and lasts until mid-June. Top dressing with nitrogen-potassium mixtures, carried out at the time of growth, affects the quantity and quality of buds. There are many more of them, and they are also increasing in size.

Feeding during flowering

If the irises are in a state of active flowering, fertilization is stopped. Flowers need minimal care, which consists in regular watering. After the top layer dries, the soil is moistened and then loosened.

In regions with a dry climate, the number of waterings does not exceed two times - in the morning and in the evening. To keep the appearance attractive, withered flowers and dry leaves are removed. The last procedure is no less useful than the others.

Features of feeding after flowering

If a plant does not form flowers, this does not mean that it does not need to be fed. It is useful to fertilize irises also in the fall. Key points:

1. Feeding in autumn is a way to replenish the supply of nutrients that were used up during the growth and development of the plant. This will protect the crop and provide a good base for next season's buds.
2. Fertilization starts one month after the end of flowering.
3. Mixes based on phosphorus and potassium are used as fertilizers.

The feeding procedure is carried out in the fall before the onset of cold weather. Dry weather is considered the most favorable. Top dressing is done in the morning or evening, regardless of watering.

After top dressing, additional care is carried out in the form of shallow loosening of the soil. This contributes to the rapid penetration of substances deep into the earth.

Feeding rules

Every person should know them in order for top dressing to be successful and give the desired result:

1. The application technique varies depending on the type of fertilizer.
2. Use top dressing in dry and liquid form.
3. When laying dry fertilizers, great attention is paid to the root system of flowers. Bearded varieties are characterized by a close arrangement of roots on the soil surface. If touched, the plant may not survive the winter.
4. Also, dry matter is filled with water, after which the liquid is used to water plants.

The growth and development of irises depends on the quality of the implementation of the given rules.

Common gardener mistakes

Flower growers are ruining iris plantations and don't even think about the reason. Less experienced use fresh compost and manure as fertilizer. The latter contains a lot of free ammonia. It promotes the growth of irises before winter frosts. As a result, young sprouts die from the cold.

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