Riversdale Irises is an Albury Wodonga based family business offering a wide assortment of bearded irises, daylilies and rhizomes.
On making the move some years ago from the North West of Victoria to the North East Victoria, we were faced with soil differences. In Wodonga, our soil is a mixture of sand, silt and clay, it drains well but if the clay content is high, the soil has a tendency to compact.
In order to determine what the Iris responds best to, we have tried a couple of different methods. In some beds to overcome the high clay issue we have blended in some sandy loam incorporating it into the soil to help prevent the soil from setting too hard. In other beds we have planted the Iris in beds made up of straight sandy loam, the Iris have responded well to both, appearing to enjoy the free draining properties of the sandy loam and developing good root systems.
As a big believer of using water wisely I have put our entire Iris collection on drip irrigation with great results, this has also reduced the occurrence of rust as the water is applied at the base of the plant. When plants have been lifted and divided we use seaweed and amino grow to stimulate new root growth. Plants are soaked in trays just covering the roots and the rhizomes overnight. I have found that new roots regenerate much quicker especially if the rhizomes have been allowed to dry out a little after being lifted.
Riversdale Special Iris Mix
We know from years of experience that bearded iris have higher need for phosphorus, some potassium and only a small amount of nitrogen. Trace elements will be of some importance, but will vary with local soil conditions and Ph. In the past I relied on superphosphate to supply my Iris with the phosphorus and trace elements which I mixed with potash to make up the other nutrients.
On making the move some years ago from the North West of Victoria to the North East Victoria, we were faced with soil differences. In Wodonga, our soil is a mixture of sand, silt and clay, it drains well but if the clay content is high, the soil has a tendency to compact.
In order to determine what the Iris responds best to, we have tried a couple of different methods. In some beds to overcome the high clay issue we have blended in some sandy loam incorporating it into the soil to help prevent the soil from setting too hard. In other beds we have planted the Iris in beds made up of straight sandy loam, the Iris have responded well to both, appearing to enjoy the free draining properties of the sandy loam and developing good root systems.
As a big believer of using water wisely I have put our entire Iris collection on drip irrigation with great results, this has also reduced the occurrence of rust as the water is applied at the base of the plant. When plants have been lifted and divided we use seaweed and amino grow to stimulate new root growth. Plants are soaked in trays just covering the roots and the rhizomes overnight. I have found that new roots regenerate much quicker especially if the rhizomes have been allowed to dry out a little after being lifted.
Riversdale Special Iris Mix
We know from years of experience that bearded iris have higher need for phosphorus, some potassium and only a small amount of nitrogen. Trace elements will be of some importance, but will vary with local soil conditions and Ph. In the past I relied on superphosphate to supply my Iris with the phosphorus and trace elements which I mixed with potash to make up the other nutrients.
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