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How to Plant an Iris in Water
How to Plant an Iris in Water. Potting iris plants is a relatively simple process for anyone who has a naturally "green" thumb. Irises come in two variations--land irises and pond/water irises. The second type of irises grow well in water or boggy land. These flowering plants grow from rhizomes (fat roots, or bulbs). Rhizomes are available at lawn...
Potting iris plants is a relatively simple process for anyone who has a naturally "green" thumb. Irises come in two variations--land irises and pond/water irises. The second type of irises grow well in water or boggy land. These flowering plants grow from rhizomes (fat roots, or bulbs). Rhizomes are available at lawn and garden centers as either a bare bulb or as a bulb with clipped roots and leaves. These clipped rhizomes are recommended for someone starting iris plants.
Things You'll Need
Iris rhizomes
Pots/trays
Potting soil
Shovel
Start your water irises in pots. Fill pots or trays (kitty litter boxes work well) with a light potting soil. For most pond irises, 6 to 10-inch pots are ideal. The plants should be started in pots or trays, which can be transferred to the pond or bog area as soon as planting is complete.
Use your finger or a small stick to form two shallow trenches in the soil, leaving a ridge of dirt between them.
Place a rhizome on the ridge of dirt and spread its roots into the trenches. Cover the new plant, including its roots, with a shallow layer of soil. The top of the rhizome should be just under the surface of the potting soil, with its leaves left out of the dirt.
Put the pot or tray in your water location. Make sure it's in a spot where it receives plenty of sunlight.
Check the tag that came with your rhizomes for the plant's blooming time. This will usually be given as a month. Fertilize the plant one month before this bloom date.
Tips & Warnings
Purchase rhizomes that are healthy. They should be firm, but not dried out. Make sure that they're not mushy, that they don't have holes or insect damage, and that they smell fresh.
Pond irises prefer plenty of water, but some prefer wet soil (Japanese Irises) to standing in water at all times (Louisiana Irises). Do your research on the specific breed of pond iris you've purchased.
Divide irises every 4 to 5 years to maintain plant health.
If your iris does not have time to "establish" before winter, it might not survive the cold weather.
Irises are aggressive plants, and are likely to take over any other vegetation in the area.
