Crate Planting Dutch Iris
We’ve been thinking a lot about diversifying our winter bulb forcing operation beyond tulips for a couple of years. We’ve forced daffodils, hyacinth, and amaryllis.
Now, we’re extra driven to work on diversification because of the predicted scarcity of tulip bulbs in 2025. So this year, we’re making time to learn some new crops. I remain committed to the value of extending our season through bulb forcing. I feel that for as little control we have in the world over the weather patterns that will pop up, bulb forcing provides us with some security. It lowers the risk, and allows us to grow what would be a very short-run crop over months at a time. We don’t have to worry about all of our bulbs, for a given plant, blowing open at the same time.
So, I’m looking to do what we’ve been doing here with tulips, with some additional crops. Our plan is to mix these other crops into our tulip bouquets and arrangements.
We've had a bit of a delay recently, thanks to some seasonal chaos during bulb shipping. A port strike on the East Coast set us back in receiving our bulb shipments, but we're here and ready to dive back in!
I firmly believe that you can achieve anything with the right mindset. This philosophy has propelled our business forward, even in the face of challenges. That said, it’s important to recognize limits and prioritize customer welfare, which is why we took a brief hiatus. But now, we’re excited to re-engage with our Pro Platform community.
Exploring Dutch Iris Successions
Today, I'm thrilled to take you inside our cooler to explore what's happening with our Dutch Iris Successions. Many of you have expressed concerns about potential tulip scarcity next year due to market fluctuations. If you're considering how to diversify your crop rotation, especially if you engage in winter bulb forcing, Dutch Iris could be your next best asset.
Key considerations for Dutch Iris include:
Bulb Selection: Ensure you're using top size bulbs, measuring 10+ or larger. Retail bulbs often don't meet these specs in quality or size, leading to disappointing trials.
Pest Management: Dutch Iris are prone to aphids, so it's crucial to inspect and manage for these pests.
Root Health: Maintain adequate airflow and drainage. Avoid overwatering as they can be susceptible to rot.
Our Forcing Methodology
We started our Dutch Iris trials last October, applying similar processes to our tulip forcing methods. Here’s a breakdown of our approach:
Soil and Crate Planting: Bulbs were planted in soil within crates, promoting root health. We planted the bulbs with about 2-3 inches of soilless mix at the bottom of the crate and 2-3 inches of soilless mix above the bulbs.
Watering Strategy: Watered lightly to prevent rot, unlike our tulip protocols which allow for deeper watering.
Temperature and Light: After cooling periods between 35-41°F, bulbs are moved to warmer growing spaces not exceeding 68°F with at least 10-12 hours of bright light daily.
Four Varieties in Focus
We’re conducting trials on four varieties: Park Avenue, Apollo (a striking white and yellow combo), NOFA Blue, and NOFA White. Each week, a crate of each variety is moved to assess growth and quality. Early forcing may result in shorter stems, but I am pushing boundaries to see what produces saleable flowers.
Innovative Strategies for Winter Gaps: We aim to identify plants that can enhance productivity during winter downtime by mixing different foliage, potentially requiring fewer tulips to meet pricing goals and maintaining buyer satisfaction.
Essential Guidelines for Growing Dutch Iris
Bulb Size: Ensure bulbs are size 10+ or larger.
Pest Vigilance: Regularly check for aphids.
Watering Practice: Avoid excessive watering to prevent rot.
Optimal Temperature: Keep growing spaces cool, under 68°F.
For more detailed information, please refer to the accompanying pro library post. I encourage you to follow this journey closely to evaluate if Dutch Iris might be the right choice for your winter forcing program and consider their potential in compensating for the anticipated tulip scarcity in the coming year.
Take care, and I’ll be back with more updates soon!