Dividing and Moving Iris - How To Transplant Iris

To divide your iris, start by lifting the clump of iris plants out of the ground with a spade or fork. If possible, lift the whole mass out whole, but if you are unable to do this, carefully break the clump into smaller parts and lift these out. Next, brush of as much dirt as possible from the iris rhizomes.

What time of year do you move irises?

Hot and humid conditions do not sound like a good time to garden. If you are a lover of iris, forget about the weather as there is work to be done. Late July through mid August is the best time to plant, move or divide iris.

When can you dig up and replant irises?

The most important aspect of transplanting iris is timing. For bearded iris, the ideal time for digging and dividing is in late summer to early fall. Bearded iris are less susceptible to bacterial and fungal rots at this time because weather tends to be drier.

Will iris bloom after transplanting?

Like most plants, irises respond best to the stresses of transplanting when active growth is finished. Being dug up and broken apart interrupts an iris's growth cycle, so wait until the plants are finished blooming. When summer temperatures rise, the foliage will begin to brown and die back.

Can you transplant irises in the spring?

Do not transplant iris in the spring. Wait until the foliage has died back in the summer before attempting to dig up and move your iris bulbs.

How long can iris rhizomes be out of the ground?

It will not damage the prepared rhizomes to remain out of the ground for two weeks. Select a planting location with good drainage that receives a minimum of 5 to 6 hours of sun every day or that is in full sun. Iris may be planted in a bed or as clumps between other plants.

When can I divide iris rhizomes?

Mid- to late-summer is a good time to divide bearded irises. You want to make sure that the roots have ample time to grow before winter. You can usually tell that your irises are ready to be divided when a clump looks overgrown, with rhizomes starting to grow into each other and popping up from the soil.

When can you divide reblooming iris?

Reblooming irises grow faster than regular irises, so you'll need to divide them more often. To prevent overcrowding, divide reblooming iris every two to three years, but take only the outside rhizomes of the plant; leave the healthy older portions of the plant intact. Replant the small rhizomes 12 to 18 inches apart.

How do I get my iris to bloom again?

An amendment of superphosphate, colloidal phosphate or bone meal applied in early spring can help plants develop blooms. Another reason for iris plants not flowering is overcrowding. The rhizomes will increase over time and plants become too packed in their site.

How long does it take irises to bloom after transplanting?

These yellow irises were a gift from a friend's garden. She dug them up after they had bloomed so once in my garden, they bloomed the following year. When dug up while blooming, it can take iris 2 years to bloom again.

Do irises like sun or shade?

Siberian irises grow well in cool, wet conditions and, though they thrive in full sun, they can also tolerate some shade. Plant about 1 inch deep in full sun to part shade.

Can I transplant Iris now?

Irises can grow from rhizomes or bulbs, depending on the species. ... October is a little late for transplanting iris but if the weather remains seasonably warm, you should be OK. Ideally, you should transplant them after blooming, from summer into fall.

What happens if you plant bulbs in the spring?

Waiting until spring to plant the bulbs will not satisfy these requirements, so spring-planted bulbs will likely not bloom this year. ... The bulbs likely won't bloom this spring, but they may bloom later in the summer, out of their normal sequence, or they may just wait until next year to bloom at the normal time.

Can you transplant rhubarb in the spring?

Rhubarb can be transplanted in early spring or early fall (mid-September through early October). Rhubarb does best in fertile, well-drained soils and full sun. The best time to transplant rhubarb is in early spring before growth begins. Carefully dig up the plant with a spade.

Can I transplant peonies in the spring?

You can also tackle moving peonies in early spring before plants sprout (while they're still dormant). Transplanting peonies in spring may interrupt growth and flowering. Some varieties move easily in spring or fall, but others, if moved in spring, won't flower for a year or two.

Should I deadhead irises?

Deadheading, or removing the old flowers, keeps the plants attractive and allows the leaves to collect energy for healthy root formation instead of setting seeds. Some irises may bloom twice a year if you deadhead properly. Break off the individual flowers on each flowering stem after they finish blooming.

Why are my iris bulbs coming out of the ground?

One reason you may see bulbs coming out of the ground is improper site condition. Soil for bulbs needs to be rich and organic, well worked, and free draining. Bulbs will rot in boggy soil, and they have difficulty growing up through hard pan or heavy clay.

Can iris bulbs be dug up and stored?

Proper iris rhizomes storage starts with making sure that the iris rhizomes have been properly dried. After digging them up, trim the leaves back to about 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm.) ... The next step in preparing iris rhizomes for storage is to place them in a dark, dry, somewhat cool place to further dry or cure.

How do you separate iris rhizomes?

Dividing Bearded Iris

Iris are beautiful when in bloom, and need to be divided regularly to remain healthy and bloom well. ...
Lift clumps carefully to avoid damaging the rhizomes. ...
Separate lifted rhizomes by pulling them apart. ...
Trim leaves to reduce transpiration in the replanted sections. ...
Use a clean knife or shears to cut the rhizomes apart.

How do you propagate iris rhizomes?

Use a fork to dig up a congested clump of irises. ...
Pull the congested rhizomes apart by hand, or cut them with a knife. ...
Newly-planted rhizomes are vulnerable to wind rock, so it's a good idea to reduce the leaves by half. ...
Replant healthy rhizomes about 12cm apart with the leaves facing towards the sun.

How do you dig up iris rhizomes?

Dig up Iris Rhizomes

Start a good 5 to 6 inches back from the base of the Iris clump and dig in your shovel or garden fork. Loosen around the clump as best you can. It is easier on your back. Iris are not planted deep, they should be very near the surface but their roots can long.