How to prune the iris

How to prune the iris

Pruning during the breeding season

During the breeding period, when the seedlings grow to 12 to 20 cm, they need to be pinched and topped, and the newly grown tender shoots at the top need to be cut off to promote branching and ensure a prosperous plant shape.

Spring Pruning

Pruning is done in conjunction with repotting when the plant is first moved outdoors in spring each year. Cut off the dense, thin branches, diseased branches and parallel branches. If the plant is old or growing slowly, it can be pruned hard to help it resume good growth.

Pruning during the growing season

During the growth process, the branches are sparse, so they can be pinched to promote branching and form a fuller plant shape. After pruning the plants, be sure to apply water and fertilizer in time.

How to prune the iris

The iris is resistant to pruning. The thin branches should be cut off before sprouting in spring, and other branches grown in the same year should be shortened.

After germination, when the new shoots grow to 10 cm, pinch them off once, leaving 2 to 3 buds at the base. Soon 2 to 3 branches will grow out.

When the branches grow 6 to 7 leaves, pinch the tips again to control the plant shape and promote flowering.

The inflorescence of the iris blooms at the top of the branches. After the first flowering, the remaining flowers should be cut off in time. Apply fertilizer in time and it will bloom again after a period of time.

In mid-September, all the old leaves will be removed and small, thick leaves will gradually grow.

Do not pick leaves in late September. Be sure to apply enough fertilizer before picking leaves, and apply top dressing once after picking leaves. Keep sufficient sunlight and moist soil, and new leaves will grow after 20 days.

In summer, when flowering and fruiting occur, the branches also need to be pruned short.

After flowering, cut the branches short, leaving only 3 to 4 pairs of buds, with a length of 8 to 10 cm.

Pay attention when pruning

The cut should be flat to reduce the wound area. After pruning, the cut branches and leaves should be destroyed together.

After pruning the leaves, spray the leaves 2 to 3 times with a mixture of magnesium sulfate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and thiophanate methyl. This can not only reduce diseases and pests, but also promote the growth of new branches.

The above is the pruning method of the Ixora. Only if the Ixora is well pruned can it bloom more and bloom better. Maintenance is also very important!