3 years ago I planted 12 Dutch iris bulbs.

[Suich]

The first year they all came up and I was thrilled. Since then, for the last 2 years, all I've gotten is the green stuff, no blooms. Any ideas?

TIA!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. how deep did you plant them?

Not too deep! Iris plants like to grow near the surface, so plant your iris bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep. Dig a hole that is about twice the size of the bulb.

more at link:
http://www.life123.com/home-garden/flower-guides/flowering-bulbs/iris-bulbs.shtml

[Suich]

2. About 2"-3".

Why did they bloom the 1st year? Bulbs don't sink deeper each year, do they? I have other bulbs that were planted at the same time and they've come up each year.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. are they getting enough sun? need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. n/t

[Suich]

5. They get enough sun. n/t

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. The surface of the rhizomes like to be baked - direct sun on them. Over time they get covered up

with mulch, leaves, soil. Each year you need to scrape them gently so that the rhizome surface is exposed. If you do that, and they get full sun, they should bloom again.

[snappyturtle]

6. Yes...they have to have that exposure or forget it...nt

[Suich]

7. These are bulbs.

I have other iris that are rhizomes.

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. Hmmm....as they say, that's very different! My Google search says 4 inches deep...

so perhaps insufficient sun, or some fertility (nutritional balance) issue? I've not planted them before.

[Suich]

9. I'm bummed because all 12 of them bloomed the 1st year,

then nothing. Sounds like I need to dig them up and replant them. Do I dig them up now or wait til the green stuff dies? Does it make a difference? I'll replant them in the fall.

[NRaleighLiberal]

10. Letting the foliage go feeds the bulb....let it go (does it die back?)

then re-set them. They are really nice - I've seen them as cut flowers. good luck!

[pscot]

11. They need a bonemeal or superphosphate fertilizer

Too much nitrogen makes leaves but no flowers.

[Suich]

12. Bonemeal it is!

Thanks!

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Did you leave the vegetation until it turned yellow/brown?

[Suich]

14. Yup! n/t

[BlueToTheBone]

15. Do you cut the leaf back in mid summer?

Do the rhizomes break through the earth? They like to lump up on top of the earth. Cut them back almost to the ground, fertilize with good like bone meal. If they are too crowded, they won't bloom either.