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Bulbs/transplanting iris

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Expert: Long Island Gardener - 6/27/2007


Question
QUESTION: i am not sure if you are the correct person for my question. my iris are getting overgrown and i want to know when is the best time to break them up and replant.
i live in little egg harbor,nj 08087

ANSWER: Your Iris has stopped blooming, so you can take care of this right now if you have the ability to do this sweaty work in the heat wave we're all dealing with right now.

Most important thing is to keep the divided Irises moist and don't let them dry out.  If you can shade them a bit, that's even better.

Do you need instructions on how to divide these?  What kind of Irises are you dividing?  rsvp

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i would appreciate info on how to divide. i do not know what kind i have. they hae the purple and yellow flowers.

Answer
How to divide your Irises?  Sure!  You'll find some terrific illustrations pictures and indepth instructions by Marie Iannotti at the About.com page on 'How to Divide Bearded Iris':

http://gardening.about.com/od/perennials/ss/DividingIrid_5.htm

See if this looks do-able on your flowers.  If not, please let me know.  Thanks for writing.

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.

Experience

Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.

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