Irises have been used in the design of flower beds and lawns for quite some time. For the original shape of the inflorescence, they are even called ground orchids. Irises are so loved by gardeners also for their huge variety of shades: from lavender, cream, white to copper, bronze, chocolate, etc. With proper care, which, by the way, is quite simple (timely watering, loosening and weed protection), irises can grow in one place and bloom regularly for 5, or even all 7 years. However, there comes a time when replanting irises becomes absolutely necessary to keep this type of plant in your garden.
Understanding some of the life cycle of irises
To understand how and when it is better to transplant irises, you must first learn some subtleties regarding their growth, namely, periods of activity and periods of rest.
Planting current year's growth and flowering
Like many rhizomatous perennials, the ground part of irises every yeardies, and dormant replacement buds remain in the axils of the leaves during the winter. At the beginning of summer, with the appearance of young shoots from these buds, the laying of flower buds begins. If you want to get a flower bed with blooming irises this season, then you only need to plant young plants with about 8 fully developed leaves. They are strong enough to release a peduncle and please you with flowering this year.
Laying next year's inflorescences
The end of summer - the beginning of autumn is a very important stage in the development of this plant species. At this time, inflorescences are laid for the next flowering period and the formation of young roots. How to care for and when will it be better to transplant irises, 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 impetus to the premature development of shoots from replacement buds, and also make the delicate buds of next year's inflorescences defenseless even against a slight cold. Also, this is the period when transplanting irises is not the best solution, because if you damage the fragile young roots or inflorescences, you will almost certainly lose the chance to enjoy their flowering next year.
Competenttransplantation and reproduction - the key to abundant and regular flowering
"So when can I replant irises so that they will surely bloom next year?" - you ask. There is only one answer: immediately after the end of flowering, but before the period of formation of the rudiments of inflorescences and young roots. The ideal option is two weeks after the last flowers on the bush have withered. 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 iris bush chosen for division is carefully removed from the ground, the rhizome is shaken off and divided in such a way that each segment contains a bunch of leaves and roots. In order for the young plant to be better accepted, the leaves of the current year are shortened by 2/3, and the roots by a third. All sections are made with a sharp knife or secateurs so that the surface is even, and then dipped in a strong solution of potassium permanganate for some time (to disinfect sections), 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 ground.
So, knowing about the characteristics of the growth and development of this flower culture, you can decide when to transplant irises and how to do it more correctly. Good luck in your endeavors!
