Here’s an update about the Dutch iris program we’ve been working on in the farmhouse cellar.
We have buds and we’re near harvest. I’m really thrilled that these are working out how I hoped.
Key Notes:
Planted size 10 bulbs, 66 per crate, in soilless mix upon arrival in October. Watered in well and stored in cooler (~35F for the winter.)
The first 4 crates were brought into the grow room around mid December, watered well, and grown under strong light for 24/7.
Looked for aphids every day or every other day. Removed them manually (squishing) and followed with mint-icide fogging. We were able to keep them under control this way.
Continued to water daily/every other day.
The first buds are appearing the week before Valentine’s Day from the first successions. Of the 4 varieties we’re growing ‘Apollo’ seems to be fastest.
Varieties in our trial (from Ampersand Bulb Co.):
Nofa Blue
Park Avenue
Nofa White
Apollo