The iris plant belongs to the kasatikovy family. About 250 different varieties are known that grow in Europe and Asia, in North America, as well as in some regions of Africa. In Russia, there are about 60 different species. Plants mainly grow in open spaces, on the banks of water bodies, in steppe and desert zones. Iris is a distant relative of gladiolus.
Iris plant: description
This is a perennial and unique herbaceous plant with a strong rhizome. He distinguishes two types of shoots - vegetative and generative. Thin leaves with a wax coating are combined by fan-shaped bunches at the base of the peduncles.
In some varieties, stem leaves are absent or there are very few of them. Single flowers are located in inflorescences, they differ in a unique aroma and elegant shape. There is a huge palette of shades from snow-white to dark purple. Large and beautiful flowers are made up of six lobes in the shape of a petal. Three external lobes, as a rule, are slightly inclined downward.
Iris plant: characteristics and description of varieties
Iris boasts a variety of colors and flowering times. Popular varieties:
- Bearded is the most popular among garden irises. On the outer petals at the base are strips of hairs, which are very noticeable against the general background. Distinguish between low, medium and large plants. Height reaches 70 cm.
- The Siberian iris plant is distributed from northern Italy to Lake Baikal. This species is also found in the Caucasus, Turkey and the Komi Republic. On a branched stalk there are several huge leaves. Gorgeous flowers are located on the pedicels. The seeds hid in a light gray box.
- Dwarf is common in arid cereal steppes. In addition, it can be met on calcareous slopes and sands. Iris reaches a height of no more than 15 cm. Leaflets of a bluish color. Peduncle height of about 3 cm, the plant begins to bloom in May. It tolerates the absence of moisture.
- The Dutch has a special underground organ in place of the rhizome, which contains nutrient reserves. On the stem are dense narrow-grooved leaves. The flower stalk grows on average by 80 cm. The flower can be monophonic or two-ton. This variety is very thermophilic and in winter needs protection from wind and cold.
- The marsh iris plant has attractive bright yellow flowers, decorated with uprooted strokes. It blooms from early May to June. This variety is heat-loving and winter-hardy, loves direct sunlight. In the wild, it grows mainly near the floodplains of rivers and the banks of water bodies. It can be seen in Europe, China and the Far East.
- The xiphoid is considered a late-flowering variety. The leaves are not wide and do not exceed a height of 40 cm. The flowers are flat with small inner and wide outer petals. The height of the peduncle is about 70 cm. Blossom begins in mid-summer and blooms until the end of August.
Brief description of the iris plant:
Bearded irises got their name because of their colored hairs located on the outer perianth lobes. In appearance, hairs resemble a beard.
Siberian varieties are characterized by unpretentiousness and resistance to frost. In addition, cut leaves have decorative significance.
Japanese irises can be divided only after five to seven years, since they have a longer decorative and crop yields. At the beginning of spring or autumn, division of this species is carried out.
There are three groups of irises:
- undersized - the height of the peduncle is 20–35 cm;
- medium-sized - peduncle from 35 to 70 cm;
- tall - peduncle more than 70 cm.
Features
Depending on the species, the iris plant (planting and care of which is described below) has different root systems. They are refined, fibrous, fleshy and slightly branched. Leaves, as a rule, are xiphoid, with a wax coating, green color. The condition of the flower can be determined by plaque. An even layer means that the iris is not sick. Leaves retain a decorative look until the beginning of autumn. The flowers are large, of various colors (blue, white, blue, pink, etc.). Several shades of flowers can be on the same corolla, but plain color is not uncommon.
Bloom
The iris plant blooms (photo below) from early May to mid-summer.
The average lifespan of an inflorescence is three days. In summer, a flower bud forms on the rhizome. The iris fruit consists of a box with three nests. If the summer period was not hot, then the buds will not form and the next year iris will not bloom.
Growing
Japanese irises love warm weather, so if they are bred in the northern regions, they grow well and bloom mainly indoors. Siberian varieties are resistant to frost, and bearded irises are less whimsical than the two types mentioned above.
Cultivating plants requires drained, fertile, and moist soil. Excess moisture is removed. When planting a plant in heavy soil, it is recommended to add garden soil, sand or special fertilizers. Top dressing is made at the rate of half a ten-liter bucket per 1 m 2 . If neutralization of the soil is needed, then bone meal is used, Siberian irises do not like lime.
Nutrient intake
Throughout growth and development, the plant needs to be fed with inorganic complex fertilizers, which include potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Fertilizing is carried out three times. The first - as soon as the plant hatched from the soil. The second time - about thirty days after the first feeding. And the last time - when the plant has bloomed.
You can apply another way. Only nitrogen and phosphorus substances are introduced into the first stage. In the second, potassium is added to the previous elements, and in the third turn, only potash and phosphorus fertilizers. During the growing season, nine grams of the above fertilizers per square meter should be applied. Top dressing is added exclusively in a liquid state.
Breeding
Work on the separation of roots is carried out at the end of the summer period or at the beginning of autumn after about four years after the plant has grown in one place. If this operation is not carried out, the iris will not bloom, since four years after planting, flower buds cease to form. For this reason, to obtain abundant flowering, the roots should be divided or their upper part removed.
One of the simple methods of rhizome division is the formation of annual links with a bunch of leaves. Each link is divided into separate pieces with kidneys. After the cut, they are left in a dry, warm room for 48 hours, during which time the slices form a protective wound tissue. In addition, slices can be sprinkled with crushed coal.
Seedlings are placed in containers and stored indoors, as rooting takes place in winter. Rhizomes dug in the fall should be stored in a cool, dry place. When planting roots in the spring, they are cut in advance to 8–10 cm, and in autumn or summer, by two-thirds.
Transplanting after 4–5 years is a rather long period, so the plant can be propagated by seeds. Each variety has its own characteristics. Siberian and Japanese irises can be grown from seeds without any problems, but bearded ones are a little more difficult, since their seeds have a thick cover, and seedlings appear in the second or third year. Scientists believe that seed propagation is best used in breeding, as this method does not guarantee good plant growth.
Care
Soils are suitable for Siberian and Japanese varieties, which are well able to retain moisture, and soil with a slightly acidic or neutral environment is suitable for bearded ones. Fertilizers must be applied to non-chernozem soil.
Each type of plant needs a different amount of water. For example, Siberian iris requires constant watering during flowering, and bearded iris prefers moderate watering.
It is best to place irises in sunny or semi-shaded areas. If you plant a plant in a solid shadow, then flowering will stop. Japanese and bearded species can tolerate severe blackout.
Useful properties of the plant
Currently, only a few varieties of iris plants are acceptable for use in medical practice. For example, Florentine and German. The main raw materials are the roots of the plant due to the content of a unique essential oil. Three years after planting, iris begin to harvest them. The roots are washed with water, cleaned from the lateral processes, then dried. Store in closed containers.
In the roots of irises there is a huge amount of ascorbic acid, starch, sugar and many other equally useful components.
Medical use
When adding chopped iris root to an aromatic lamp, it has a calming effect.
A decoction from the roots of the iris plant is used:
- as an aid to eliminate colic;
- with bronchitis and tonsillitis;
- as a symptomatic treatment for headaches;
- for resorption of dense tumors;
- in cosmetology, helps reduce freckles and acne, reduce the depth of wrinkles;
- stimulates the growth of hair follicles and is used for hair loss, dandruff, and in addition, gives them a shiny look.
From toffee can be prepared tincture, which is used for toothaches. Rhizomes are used for making breast tea. On the basis of iris, homeopathic preparations are made that are used in the treatment of pancreatic diseases.
In order to prepare tincture of iris, you need to mix 15 g of raw materials in a glass of boiling water. You can take it up to six times a day for one tablespoon. Dry plant roots are an excellent expectorant, blood purifying and diuretic.
Contraindications to the use of the iris plant - individual intolerance.
Mostly growers grow Siberian, Japanese and bearded irises. Swamp iris with yellow flowers is also common in the gardens.