Iris plants are one of the earliest flowering plants that are grown around and they became quite popular as a result of their beautiful and attractive nature.
The iris plant is named after the Greek goddess Iris and they have since been associated with it. The iris flower are perennial plants that can grow for several years as long as they have access to all the necessary environmental conditions to that are required for an optimum growth and development.
Iris flowers do need to be divided so that they can be easily transplanted and to ensure that they grow well and produce flowers in the best possible ways that they can.
There are so many reasons why dividing iris plants are essential and you should know how to carry this out to ensure that you have the best growth of iris plants.
Many people consider the iris flower as one of the most popular flowers that are grown as ornaments as they help to beautify gardens and make the environment look much lively and awesome.
If you have a garden in which you have quite a number of iris plants, you might want to make sure that they are well distributed and well managed.
Want to learn how to easily and conveniently divide an iris plant, then you are already in the right place. In this article, we will take you through the steps involved in dividing the iris flower with ease and convenience.
Read further to learn more!
How to Know when Iris flower requires Division
We just don’t divide iris plants, there are several reasons why we decide to carry it out. Generally, dividing iris plants are usually carried out between 3 to 5 years and this is mostly dependent on the space which exists between the plants.
Below are some of the various reasons why you might need to divide your iris plant:
Decrease in bloom:
When you notice that your iris plant does not bloom at the rate at which it do bloom before, that is a sign that your plants need to be divided.
This is the very first thing that you will notice when this beautiful plant needs to be divided so you must pay attention to your plant very well.
Overcrowding:
If your iris plants are planted at a high density and when they grow to the extent that they HR eye appear to close, there might be a need to divide them.
When Iris plants become overcrowded at a particular location, it indirectly causes the reduction of the flowering doestential of each plant. When you notice this, make sure to divide the iris plants.
Rhizomes coming out of the ground:
Most iris flowers develop from rhizomes and they grow in such a way that they grow large and continuous in the soil.
When plants get overcrowded and their rhizomes begin to push against each other, then they will start to come to the soil surface.
The escape of the rhizomes to the surface is a sign that the iris plants need to be divided so you must be ready to divide them without contemplating.
Lack of Foliage:
When there is a reduction in the amount of foliage that is produced by the iris plant, this is a sign that you need to divide it.
In some cases, they will only develop foliage on the outside edges of the clump and this can as well be a sign of the division requirement of the plant.
When is the Right Time to Divide Iris?
Dividing iris is one of the best ways to make sure that they appear as attractive as possible. The best time required to divide the iris flower (especially the bearded ones) is during the mid to late summer period of the year.
This will ensure that the plant can easily survive and will be able to direct its energy towards growth.
You can also divide just after the flowering season has been completed. Dividing during this time will ensure that the roots have the required time to grow before winter.
What are the Steps Involved in dividing Iris Plants?
The process involved in dividing iris plant is very simple and convenient to carry out. Before dividing the iris plant, make sure that it meets the right requirement for dividing except in cases when you desire to transplant at your own will.
The most recon with rule of thumb for dividing is three to five years. In subsequent paragraphs, we will take you through the various steps involved in dividing iris plants.
Loosen the soil around the plant root:
The soil that surrounds the root region of the iris plant should be loosened up so as to ensure that they can be easily lifted from the soil.
You can loosen the soil around the root in a circular pattern ensuring that every area of the plant root is opened up.
Remove clumps:
Clumps of rhizomes should be removed with the use of garden forks or spade and you can as well lift them carefully with the hand.
If you find it difficult to remove as a whole, dividing them into smaller parts will make the removal much easier.
Get rid of dirt:
Clumps of rhizomes are usually very rich in accumulated soil components and there is a need for you to clean them up by brushing.
This will increase the visibility of the rhizome parts when you want to plant them. Do not damage the surface of the rhizome to prevent the action of soil-borne diseases.
Divide the rhizome:
The next step is to divide the rhizomes into different parts of about 3 to 4 inches. These separated parts should have at a minimum one fan of leaves on the rhizome.
When dividing the rhizome, make sure not to touch the roots on the rhizome and leave it in case you still want to propagate it.
The leaf fan on the rhizome should be trimmed to a height of about four to six inches so that they can focus on growing roots before winter.
NB: when there are parts that do not have any leaf fan on the rhizome, you should get rid of them as they won’t grow.
Check the health of the plant:
Plant rhizomes are usually susceptible to Iris borers and other diseases so you must look out for them. Any rhizome part that is not firm should be discarded as they are not good and might not perform well when planted.
Decide on what to do with the Rhizomes:
After dividing the rhizome, there is a need to decide on the next line of action. The parts of the rhizomes that are bad can be added to compost piles and the good ones can be transplanted to form new plants.
Before transplanting, you must make sure that the rhizomes you want to transplant are healthy and are capable of rigorous growth.
Steps Involved in Transplanting Iris plants
Transplanting iris plants do not require much and you can easily carry it out by following the steps that will be discussed in the later part of this section.
Getting your iris plant in the right position and ensuring that they grow well and appear their best can be achieved through the following steps:
Choose the right place to plant:
Iris plants are sun-loving plants, requiring about 6 hours sunlight per day. You must choose a place that always have access to sunlight and the soil on which they are to be grown must be well-drained.
Dig a hole:
You should dig a hole in the soil and make sure it is not too deep. You can make a mound at the center of the hole and this will form the base where the rhizome will sit.
Plant the rhizome:
The rhizome should be well planted by sitting it on the mound at the center and the roots must be moved to the side. Make sure that the plant is well situated in the soil.
Cover the rhizome:
The roots of the rhizome should be well covered with soil and errant roots must be pushed below the soil. A little soil should be added to the top of the rhizome so that they can grow well.
Space accurately:
The plant should be spaced at a distance of 18 to 24 inches and this is to ensure that they have enough space to grow for a long time.
However, if you don’t mind dividing the iris plant after a short while then you can plant them closer than the recommended space.
Water:
The plant must be well supplied with water after planting and this will ensure that they survive well when in the soil.
Conclusion
Dividing your iris plant will enhance its aesthetic value and make you much into the plant. Give your plant the best look today and see more of its beauty in your garden.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
