One of the most common varieties of iris is marsh. Its habitat covers almost all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. A rather unusual appearance and unpretentious care make these flowers very popular among many gardeners. In this article, we will tell you all about the care and planting of marsh iris, as well as share the advantages and disadvantages of its propagation methods.
Description
Marsh iris (aka false or pseudoair) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Iris or Kasatikov family. The Russian-language name for this iris was given due to its widespread habitat - a swamp. Wild flowers, as shown in the photo of the marsh iris, have a bright yellow color. Breeders also bred a lot of other different shades, for example, lilac, white, purple and motley.
The stem of the iris has a height of at least 80 centimeters and has sufficient branching. Unlike the Siberian varieties of iris, the swampy one has at least 12 flowers on each stem, while the Siberian ones have no more than three. The upper petals of the flower most often remain incompletedeveloped. The rhizome of the plant develops horizontally and has many branches. Iris leaves are xiphoid in shape and can reach two meters in length. Flowers are formed on elongated peduncles and collected in neat inflorescences.
Marsh iris is very often used to create green fences and compositions with various ornamental shrubs.
Landing
For the cultivation of marsh iris, it is important to have good lighting. Iris are very light-loving plants that perfectly tolerate ultraviolet stress. If the area intended for their cultivation is in partial shade, then do not worry - irises will feel great even without a long stay in the sun. In addition, the landing area must be protected from drafts, as well as be damp and shallow. Only under the above conditions will you be able to get a lush and blooming swamp iris. Landing is carried out not earlier than the second half of August-early September. These terms have been empirically tested by many gardeners and guarantee the best survival.
When choosing soil, preference should be given to a heavy and acidic substrate. Before planting, it is advisable to fertilize the soil with organic matter, such as compost, humus, or rotted manure. Fresh manure can be a source of various harmful insects.
Care
One of the most important criteria for successful iris cultivation is high soil moisture. These plants tolerate spring well.flooding, but with the slightest drought, the flowering period is reduced and the flowers themselves lose their decorative qualities. Only those plants that were planted along water bodies do not require additional watering. Iris absolutely does not need top dressing and pruning. It is enough to ensure regular and plentiful watering, as well as the presence of good lighting.
Of the pests that infect the marsh iris, gladiolus thrips can be noted, which damage the green part of the plant. Almost any insecticidal drug helps to cope with it.
Reproduction
Propagation of marsh irises is possible in different ways. The seed method is considered the most used, despite the laboriousness and duration of the process. Some gardeners propagate the plant by dividing the mature bush.
In the first case, the collected seeds are planted in the autumn in moist soil, and in the spring the first shoots will appear. However, such an iris will begin to bloom no earlier than in 3-4 years. In addition, in the future, the plant requires a transplant every 5-7 years.
With the vegetative method, a small part is separated from the mother bush and transplanted. The cut part should have a well-developed rhizome, buds and he althy leaves. Moreover, the latter are removed by 2/3 before landing. This is done so that the main forces of the plant are directed towards survival, and not the growth and development of greenery immediately after transplantation. Reproduction by dividing the bush is possible throughout the growing season, but the most preferredthe period is autumn. The main thing is not to divide the bush during the flowering period, since at this moment the plant is most weakened.
