How to Divide and Transplant Bearded Irises: A Beginner’s Guide
Introduction
Bearded irises are beautiful, easy-to-grow flowers that can add a splash of color to your garden. However, over time, irises can become overcrowded, which can lead to problems such as disease and poor flowering. Dividing and transplanting your irises is a great way to solve these problems and keep your plants healthy and vigorous.
When to Divide Irises
The best time to divide irises is during late summer, usually anytime between July and the first of September. This gives the plants time to recover before the winter.
How to Divide Irises
To divide irises, you will need a sharp knife or spade shovel.
- Carefully dig up your iris clumps with a spade shovel and gently lift each clump from the soil.
- Shake off the soil and rinse each rhizome (the fleshy, underground stem) with water.
- Trim the existing foliage into a neat fan about a third of their overall height.
- Use a sharp knife to cut or separate the rhizomes. In some cases, you may be able to just pull them apart.
- Make sure that each division or section contains a fan of leaves.
- As you divide the rhizomes, take time to inspect them. Discard any that are old, leafless, soft, or rotting.
Transplanting Bearded Irises
Once you have divided your irises, you need to transplant them to a new location.
- Choose a planting site that receives full sun and has well-draining soil.
- Dig a hole large enough to accommodate at least three to five rhizomes.
- Mound the center of the hole with soil and place the rhizomes (with fans facing in one direction) on top, allowing the roots to sprawl over.
- Fill in the hole and cover the rhizomes slightly—no more than an inch (2.5 cm.) or just below the soil surface. Planting too deep can also encourage rotting.
- Water the irises thoroughly after transplanting.
Care for Newly Planted Irises
Newly planted irises should begin flowering within their second or third season. In the meantime, here are a few tips for caring for your new plants:
- Water your irises regularly, especially during the first growing season.
- Fertilize your irises in the spring and fall with a balanced fertilizer.
- Divide your irises every three to five years to prevent overcrowding.
Troubleshooting
If you are having problems with your bearded irises, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- Soft rot: Soft rot is a bacterial disease that can cause the rhizomes of your irises to become soft and mushy. To prevent soft rot, make sure that your irises are planted in well-draining soil and that you do not overwater them.
- Bacterial soft rot: Bacterial soft rot is a disease that can cause the leaves of your irises to become yellow and wilted. To prevent bacterial soft rot, make sure that your irises are planted in well-draining soil and that you do not overwater them.
- Poor flowering: If your irises are not flowering well, it may be because they are overcrowded. To solve this problem, divide and transplant your irises.
Conclusion
Dividing and transplanting bearded irises is a simple process that can help to keep your plants healthy and vigorous. By following the tips in this article, you can ensure that your irises will thrive for many years to come.
