When to transplant irises and how best to do it? We understand the intricacies

Irises have long been used in the design of flower beds and lawns. For the original form of inflorescence, they are even called ground orchids. Gardeners are so beloved by gardeners also for a huge variety of shades: from lavender, cream, white to copper, bronze, chocolate, etc. With proper care, which, incidentally, is quite simple (timely watering, loosening and protection from weeds), irises can grow in one place and bloom regularly for 5, or even 7 years. However, the time comes when transplanting irises becomes absolutely necessary in order to preserve this type of plants in your personal plot.

To understand how and when it is better to transplant irises, you first need to find out some subtleties regarding their growth, namely, periods of activity and periods of rest.

Planting growth of the current year and flowering

Like many rhizomatous perennials, the ground portion of irises dies each year, and dormant replacing buds remain in the axils of the leaves during the winter. In early summer, with the advent of young shoots from these buds, the laying of flower buds begins. If you want to get a flower bed with blooming irises already this season, then you need to plant only young plants with about 8 fully developed leaves. They are strong enough to produce a flower stalk and please you with flowering this year.

The end of summer - the beginning of autumn - is a very important stage in the development of this plant species. At this time, the laying of inflorescences takes place for the next flowering period and the formation of young roots. How to care and when will transplant irises be better, given this aspect? Firstly, in August-September, irises need especially careful care and attention: they need to be watered and fed in a timely manner, since the successful growth and development of plants in the next season will directly depend on this. Secondly, it is strictly forbidden to prune the leaves of irises in the fall, as this can give an impetus to the premature development of shoots from replacing buds, and also make the delicate beginnings of inflorescences of the next year defenseless even in the slight cold. In addition, this is the period when transplanting irises is not the best solution, because if you damage fragile young roots or inflorescences, you will almost certainly lose the chance to enjoy their flowering next year.

“So when can irises be transplanted so that they probably bloomed next year?” - you ask. There is only one answer: immediately after flowering, but before the period of the formation of the buds of inflorescences and young roots. The ideal option is two weeks after the last flowers on the bush wilt. At this time, the root system of the plant begins to develop more actively , as if preparing it for the separation of young bushes. The adult bush of irises selected for division is carefully removed from the ground, the rhizome is shaken out and divided so that each segment contains a bunch of leaves and roots. In order to make the young plant better, the leaves of the current year are shortened by 2/3, and the roots - by a third. All slices are made with a sharp knife or secateurs so that the surface is smooth, and then dipped for a while in a strong solution of potassium permanganate (for disinfection of slices), dried in the sun and only then planted in prepared holes at a distance of at least 30 cm from each other. It is important to remember that the rhizome should protrude slightly above the surface of the earth.

So, knowing about the peculiarities of the growth and development of this flower culture, you can decide when to transplant irises and how to do it more correctly. I wish you success in your endeavors!