Growing iris rhizomes is pretty simple. Plant, water, fertilize and enjoy. Once every 2-5 years you will need to divide your iris, replant the rhizomes where you want, sell or give away the spares, and enjoy. While I grow over 500 varieties of iris, this has been more of a hobby until last year.
When I decided (at age 76) to start selling irises, I knew I would have some challenges, age & health being major ones. I also needed to work around established fruit trees/bushes, roses and existing hardscapes. My husband and daughter accuse me of being addicted (guilty) but it keeps me healthy. Because of limited room, I keep only varieties that have been awarded Award of Merit (AM) and above, although I will grow new varieties from certain hybridizers until they receive an AM award.
I expanded too fast and am now having to rework multiple small & medium iris beds. I learned a lot last summer and have been making changes in procedure to prevent the negative experiences many purchasers experienced last year. I have been installing new water systems for consistent watering. I ran into some challenges this year when I needed to care for my daughter's two dogs. They escaped into the backyard beds and annihilated multiple bloomstalks and some plants were dug up. Another issue I deal with is the underground critters that disturb the plants (they don't eat the rhizomes, but tunneling under the plants can bury the rhizome leaving only the fans showing). Hoping that with the rework of the beds, the upcoming year will have many more varieties available.
Please note that I accept checks & money orders (see FAQa) and PayPal only.
The gorgeous irises pictured here are Golden Panther.(TB) and Junior Partner (BB)