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Bulbs/when & how to dig up Iris bulbs and divide?

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Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 7/6/2006


Question
when & how to dig up Iris bulbs and divide?

Answer
Dig up clumps of iris rhizomes in late summer and cut the new growth from the center ("old growth"). Then replant the new growth spaced 6-8" apart on center.

Iris clumps make star-shaped growth. The center (mother) rhizome will send out offsets (baby rhizomes) in a star shaped (or finger shaped) pattern with the baby rhizomes growing away from the mother creating a dense group of rhizomes. Dig the entire clump and cut the new growth from the old rhizome.

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Kenneth Joergensen

Expertise

Can answer questions about spring and summer bulbs: selection, soil preparation, planting, fertilizing, designing with bulbs. I can also give references where to buy the bulbs and how to store them. Besides the typical bulbs (tulips, daffodils, amaryllis, lilies etc) I can also answer questions about other geophytes, such as tuberous begonia, dahlias, etc. When to start indoors, light requirement, etc. My experience is in cool season areas, but I can answer questions about warm season areas if given time to research matter.

Experience

Have worked with various bulbs (spring and summer bulbs). I am presently an allexpert advicer on the lawn message board also.

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