Does any particular pH or soil amendment have an impact on irises? I ask because I've had two flowers, in two different years that have displayed less yellow pigment than expected.

First up is Later Alligator which should have completely yellow falls according to the catalog picture.



Then the same thing happened last year with Secret Rites




Both were newly planted and I don't know if they just need time to settle in.
Thanks!

Pug933 said: Does any particular pH or soil amendment have an impact on irises? I ask because I've had two flowers, in two different years that have displayed less yellow pigment than expected.

First up is Later Alligator which should have completely yellow falls according to the catalog picture.

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Later Alligator')
• Uploaded by Neela

Then the same thing happened last year with Secret Rites

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Secret Rites')
• Uploaded by Ladylovingdove

Both were newly planted and I don't know if they just need time to settle in.
Thanks!

Not an expert, but to my eye, they don't seem like the same cultivar. They seem totally different to me. (But what do I know?)

Any chance they are mislabeled?

Any chance you got the wrong iris from a grower?

I don't know whether soil can do it, but temperature sure can make changes in bloom pigmentation. I have seen it for certain in Absolute Treasure. Depending on temperature, it can be a light mid blue, or almost white.

with temperature, that's when I noted a big difference.
Not sure if your Later Alligator is the correct ID but Secret Rites looks right, you can see varying colors in the database entry.

It has been quite chilly overnight for the past few weeks, so that could be the answer for Later Alligator. Later Alligator was a bonus, but I think it was properly labeled, there also appears to be a bit of variance in the database photos, though not as severe as mine. Thanks all for the info!

Minerals in the soil can affect the coloration of the bloom. I am not sure the actual pigment changes as much as the amount of pigment. I have had iris bloom here that appear brighter than the same iris grown by another on the forum who has very different soil composition than mine. I have seen some color change too in irises moved to new soil from a more depleted bed.

DaisyDo said: I don't know whether soil can do it, but temperature sure can make changes in bloom pigmentation. I have seen it for certain in Absolute Treasure. Depending on temperature, it can be a light mid blue, or almost white.

This is so true. This spring has been unusually cool and my Absolute Treasure is the bluest it has ever been for me. Usually, it is very pale. Actually, I would say all the irises' colors are more intense this year.