Irises have long been used inregistration of beds and lawns. For the original shape of the inflorescence, they are even called ground orchids. Irises are also loved by gardeners for a huge variety of colors: from lavender, cream, white to copper, bronze, chocolate, etc. With proper care, which, by the way, is quite simple (timely watering, loosening and protection from weeds), irises can grow in one place and regularly bloom 5, if not all 7 years. However, there comes a time when it becomes absolutely necessary to transplant irises in order to preserve this type of plant in your backyard.
To understand how and when it is better to transplant irises, you must first learn some of the subtleties relating to their growth, namely, periods of activity and periods of rest.
Planting growth of the current year and bloom
Like many rhizomatous perennial plants,the terrestrial part of the irises dies every year, and in the axils of the leaves during the winter time dormant replacement buds remain. In early summer, with the appearance of young shoots from these buds, the budding of flower buds begins. If you want to get a flower bed with blooming irises already this season, then only young plants with about 8 fully developed leaves should be planted. They are strong enough to let out a flower stalk and to please you with flowering already this year.
The end of summer - the beginning of autumn - a very important stage indevelopment of this type of plant. At this time, the inflorescence is laid for the next flowering period and the formation of young roots. How to care and when to transplant irises will be better, given this aspect? First, in August-September, the irises need particularly 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 it. 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 replacement buds, and also render vulnerable the beginnings of inflorescences next year defenseless even before a 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 I transplant irises so that theysurely they bloomed next year? ”you ask. There is only one answer: right after the end of flowering, but before the formation of the buds of inflorescences and young roots. Ideal - two weeks after the last flowers wilt on the bush. At this time, the root system of the plant begins to develop more actively, as if preparing it for the separation of young bushes. An adult bush of irises selected for dividing is carefully removed from the ground, the rhizome is shaken off and divided so that each segment contains a bundle 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 sections are made with a sharp knife or pruning shears, so that the surface is flat, and then lowered into a strong solution of potassium permanganate for some time (to disinfect the sections), dried in the sun and only then planted in prepared wells 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 features of 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!
