Crate Growing Dutch Iris
Planting Crate Grown Dutch Iris:
Are you looking to add color to your bulb forcing line up during the late winter months? Dutch iris might be the perfect addition. I'm Linda from Ampersand Bulb Co., and today I'll guide you through crate planting Dutch iris, ideal for winter forcing.
Why Dutch Iris?
Dutch iris have a blooming range from early January into May. They are also favored by flower farmers in the U.S. for their ability to bloom naturally during the transitional period between peony season and summer annuals. They have a tidy upright growth habit and are very neat and easy to collect in harvest stage (bud stage).
Steps for Planting Dutch Iris
To help you succeed with Dutch iris, consider these steps:
Choose the Right Bulbs: Purchase size 10 or larger bulbs that are healthy and large. Be wary of bulbs that have been too long in the marketplace as they are more prone to diseases like fusarium.
Plant Properly: We use a soilless mix in bulb crates for planting Dutch iris, then store them in a cooler for 8 to 12 weeks.
Timing Blooms: When done right, forced Dutch iris can bloom as early as January. So they can be a great addition to your Valentine’s Day line up. For first time growers, we suggest using Valentine’s Day or just before as your harvest target date.
Bulb Forcing: Expanding Your Skills
With tulip bulbs becoming scarce, it's a good time to diversify your bulb-forcing skills. Here’s why you should consider adding Dutch iris:
Diversifying reduces reliance on one crop. (Like tulips in winter forcing programs)
Tulips are going to be in high demand due to scarcity in the marketplace in fall of 2025.
Dutch iris can be grown in close proximity and in a similar manner to soil-forced tulips.
Resources and Next Steps
For more on Dutch iris and bulb forcing, visit our other post on Dutch iris. If you’re interested in opening a wholesale account with us for your business, click here.
To summarize, here’s how to successfully force Dutch iris:
Purchase the right size and healthy bulbs.
Plant in a soilless mix. (Dutch iris are not suited to hydroponic growing)
Store in a cooler as recommended for 8-12 weeks.
Grow under the conditions outlined in our forcing guide.
Enjoy blooms as winter turns to spring.
I hope this inspires you to grow Dutch iris. Feel free to ask any questions, and happy planting!