Iris is a plant of the iris (iris) family, belonging to the perennial genus of rhizomatous flowers. They are distributed on all continents and are very popular. This plant is a distant relative of the gladiolus. In total, about 800 species are distinguished, differing in a variety of shades and shapes. According to legend, this flower was named after the goddess Irida, and in ancient Greek means "rainbow". Among the Slavic peoples, the name iris (Russia) was common, that is, desired, dear, dear; cockerel and even Perunik (Ukraine).
White irises have extraordinary beauty. They are so perfect, beautiful and filled with meaning that it is difficult to find a person who would not admire them. The fouls falling down and the lines of standards harmoniously directed upwards give a special royal majesty to the flower. Of the huge variety of flowers, it is irises that have a rich color range. However, pure whites are very rare and therefore highly prized.
Historicalcultural significance of iris flowers
The white flower of this plant, pure as the wings of an angel, was endowed with different meanings in world cultures: an expression of grief for the deceased, a hallmark of a noble family, a noble person. Drawings of inflorescences were decorated with flags and coats of arms. White color personified only positive qualities. As a garden culture, irises are a symbol of aristocracy and power. Archaeologists often find images of this flower on sceptres that belonged to the Egyptian pharaohs. Iris was repeatedly mentioned in the philosophical writings of Hippocrates. This flower among the ancient Greeks was a symbol of courage and was widely used in various rituals. White Dutch irises are traditionally considered a symbol of the Virgin Mary, so their cultivation was mandatory in all monasteries.
Flower structure
Depending on the species, the plant may have different root systems: fibrous, taproot, thin or fleshy, rather weakly branching. Iris leaves are wide, xiphoid, bright or dark green. The condition of the plant can be determined by the wax coating: if it is even, then it is he althy. It is noted that the foliage retains a decorative appearance until late autumn. Peduncles can reach a length of 90 cm. Depending on the variety, tall (over 70 cm), medium (35-70 cm) and short (25-35 cm) plants are distinguished.
Irises are famous for their unusual form of inflorescence. A description of the plant can be found in the specialized literature: iris petals raised up and forming a dome are calledstandard (standard), and three petals, lowered down - fouls. On the lower lobes of the flower there are thick bristly outgrowths - a beard.
Preparing for landing
Beginner gardeners are often concerned about how to plant irises. According to professional growers, the growth and flowering of this crop depends on the thoroughness of observing all the rules. The most protected from cold winds, but at the same time, ventilated and well-lit place is suitable for landing. If you can't find something like that, you can choose penumbra. The soil should be drained, light, slightly acidic. To do this, you can add a little wood ash or lime to it. It is important to prevent the appearance of stagnant moisture, as it is a destructive environment for irises. In addition, they do not tolerate the application of organic fertilizers, which is why they first stop blooming and then rot. White irises do not tolerate the presence of weeds, especially those with a strong rhizome, so they should be planted in clean and well-groomed areas.
Before this, the long leaves and roots of the plant should be cut at an angle. The leaf part should be no more than 15 cm. When the seedlings are he althy, you can not process them. If the plant has signs of fungus or diseases, it should be cleaned, washed and kept for 20 minutes in a solution of foundationazole or pink potassium permanganate. Purchased or dug up iris bushes should be planted as soon as possible in the ground, as their roots may become weathered. For temporary storage, but not more than 2 days,wet, coarse-grained sand is required, which, when planting, should be laid out to create drainage at the bottom of the hole.
The best way to transfer to the soil is on the ridges after flowering. Such cultivation will ensure the survival of seedlings. For each flower in the flower bed, it is important to make a slight elevation: over time, the earth will sag, so at the time of rooting, the seedling will be reliably protected from the formation of stagnant water. This method of planting will protect the plant in winter frosts and thaws.
Making combs for white irises
In the flowerbed, it is necessary to make several ridges, the distance between which should be at least 80-90 cm. With the help of a rake, two parallel rollers with hollows in the middle are formed. They should be filled with water, allowed to soak into the ground, and then form ridges. You can not plant very densely planted plants. If it is planned to place irises on the ridges for no more than 1 year, then it is permissible to make a distance between seedlings of 20-25 cm. With a permanent deployment (3-4 years), the bushes should be located at least 40 cm apart, since irises grow strongly.
Rules for planting irises
So, how to plant irises and when is the best time to do it? The best time is from April to March. August is also a favorable month for planting white iris bushes, the best time of day is evening, after sunset. Under such conditions, plants will take root faster. You can not deepen them too deep, however, planting too high is also not recommended. Optimal would bemake a wide hole, where to pour a handful of sand, on which to place the rhizome, and place the roots evenly inside the recess. After that, everything should be sprinkled with earth and compacted. The placement of the iris must be done so that the cut leaf part is at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the windy side. This arrangement of the seedling will prevent the eversion of the roots in strong winds, the leaves will be springy and will not be able to break.
If necessary, plants can be transplanted. This is permissible immediately after flowering (June - September). It is strictly not recommended to do this during flowering, since during this period their roots become weak and are not able to hold the blade of leaves in the wind.
Iris care rules
As a rule, plants take root in the new soil after a month, after which new leaves begin to grow. There are differences in the care of irises planted in late summer - early autumn or after flowering.
Moisture requirement is also dependent on growing conditions and variety. Watering the seedlings should be done on hot summer days, and in the conditions of the southern regions, the ridges at the roots should be sprinkled with light sand to reflect the sun's rays. Irises planted in late summer or autumn are much easier to care for, as the ground dries out less and requires less watering. If excess water accumulates, it is recommended to make a ditch for drainage.
In a wet summer, you will needperiodic treatment with fungicides, in the solution to which an insecticide should be added to rid the plants of voracious insects. According to the rules, processing is done in the morning, in the daytime, when the heat subsides, or at sunset. The temperature of the solution should be around 20 degrees.
The flowering of white irises occurs mainly in May-June, but there are a number of later varieties that delight with beauty from late June to July. However, if the summer is cold, then the buds will not form, respectively, the iris will bloom only next year.
The soil should be loosened and fed, but using only mineral fertilizers. It is permissible that they include phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, since these flowers (white iris) accept only mineral elements. In equal shares in three periods, fertilizer is applied to the soil. The first top dressing should be carried out when the first sprouts just appear above the ground. The second time fertilizers are applied in a month. It is necessary to complete top dressing after flowering. Another option for fertilizing irises is also possible. Phosphorus and nitrogen are used during the first feeding, during the second feeding all useful elements are introduced, and during the third - only phosphorus and potassium. During the growing season, 9 g of minerals will be required per 1 m2 soil. The following must be remembered: since the rhizomes of the plant are on the surface, top dressing can only be applied in dissolved and liquid form.
At the end of the summer season, irises are often attacked by an insect called the winter cutworm. To prevent the plants from dying, periodic inspection of the leaves and root system should be carried out.for the detection of insects and oviposition, as they turn into caterpillars in a short time, capable of quickly destroying seedlings. Caterpillars must not be allowed to overwinter in the soil, otherwise, with the onset of spring, they will finally bring the irises to death.
Keeping irises in winter
White irises must be carefully prepared for winter. At the end of autumn, before the onset of frost and before the first snow falls, the leaves should be shortened by half, inspected, treated with pesticides if necessary, loosened the soil with the addition of nitrogen fertilizers. You can cover irises in dry weather. First of all, you need to sprinkle the back of the root with clean sand, and then with peat to a height of up to 7 cm. The result will be a mound along which water will drain well. In some cold regions, dry leaves are used to shelter white irises.
As a rule, this horticultural crop is resistant to frost, but a thaw for green pets can be fatal, as water collects at the roots. But the plant is not in danger if it is planted on a hill and well covered.
With the onset of spring, the shelter must be removed early, in two approaches. The peat is removed first, and after a few days it will be possible to rake off the sand - so as not to harm the tender and young sprouts. For better growth and giving the plant an aesthetic appearance, it is worth removing dead, dried leaves, freeing the backs of rhizomes, airing and cleaning them, treating them with a pesticide and sprinkle with new, clean sand.
HowAs a rule, irises do not need abundant watering in spring. Repeated exposure to chemicals should be carried out shortly before flowering, the duration of which is more than a month. The faded arrows of the plant are supposed to be cut or broken out. After that, the irises need to be fed and processed, because it is during this period that young flower buds are formed. Bushes must be grown in one place for no more than 3-4 years, then dug up, divided into several parts and transplanted to a new place, otherwise the plant will stop flowering regularly.
Popular varieties of white iris
As already mentioned, several hundred varieties have irises. White varieties are always in demand: flowers are used to create bouquets, decorate flower beds and home gardens, and interiors.
There are many German varieties of white iris. For example, Immortality has a delicate white color, with a lemon yellow center. Bushes reach a height of 75 cm, the flowering period falls on May-June. Iris Immortality is a perennial plant, its petals are even, the peduncles are erect, not requiring a garter.
Bianca variety reaches a height of 90 cm. This is a light-loving plant that does not tolerate excess moisture, so it is planted in a lighted, protected from excess moisture and warm area. Flowering occurs in May-June.
The inflorescence of the Dawn W altz variety is very similar to an orchid. Up to two months, the plant can delight with its pale pink flowers with pearl pink styles.
Irises Esther C. D. M. acquiredpopularity in the 1980s They have very powerful stems, large green leaves and huge snow-white, like the first snow, flowers that appear only at the end of June.
The name of the variety Mesmerizer from the Hungarian language is translated as "hypnotize", "bewitch". It must be admitted that the beauty of the plant is indeed capable of captivating.
The name of the bearded variety Lacy Snowflake in Russian sounds like Snowflake Lacy. No comment.
Iris White Nights evokes several associations: with the nights in St. Petersburg and the famous South Park "White Nights" in the vicinity of Sochi. It has a medium-sized inflorescence, height up to 70-90 cm, blooms for a long time in June-July. Able to endure winter without much shelter.
Smiling Angel (or Angel Smile) is an exquisite variety. Their delicate shade will be in harmony with any gamut of colors. White irises blend perfectly with other types of flowers, they look self-sufficient both in group and in individual planting.
Iris breeding
Reproduction of the plant occurs by dividing the rhizome into several parts or its lobes with buds. A favorable period for this is the end of summer - the beginning of autumn, and only after 4-5 years of growth of the bush in one place. If you do otherwise, the iris simply stops blooming, because over time, flower buds stop forming on the rhizome. Every year, the plant forms new root links with a bunch of leaves resembling a fan. The simplest method of reproduction is considereddivide the annual link into pieces. For two days they will need to be left indoors so that a protective wound tissue forms on the sections. They can also be sprinkled with crushed charcoal.
If waiting 4-5 years is not possible, many gardeners recommend seed breeding. Each variety has its own characteristics during reproduction. For example, white Siberian or Japanese irises can be grown from seeds without much difficulty, while bearded irises, on the contrary, are more difficult to reproduce, since seedlings appear only 2-3 years after sowing.
Irises in cosmetology, pharmaceuticals and cooking
But these beauties perform not only a decorative function. Irises are widely used in medicine in the fight against tuberculosis. From their roots, an essential oil is used in cosmetology, and starch, which is used in the confectionery industry. As you can see, delicate, exquisite flowers are not only pleasing to the eye, but also bring practical benefits!
