When to transplant irises and how best to do it? Understand the intricacies

Irises have been used for a long time in the design of flower beds and lawns. For the original shape of their inflorescence, they are even called ground orchids. Irises are also loved by gardeners for a huge variety of shades: from lavender, cream, white to copper, bronze, chocolate, etc. With due care, which, by the way, is fairly simple (timely watering, loosening and protection from weeds), irises Can grow in one place and regularly bloom 5, if not all, 7 years. However, the time comes when transplanting irises becomes absolutely necessary to preserve this kind of plants on your home plot.

We understand some of the features of the life cycle of irises

To understand how and when to best transplant irises, you must first learn some subtleties relating to their growth, namely, periods of activity and periods of rest.

Planting of the current year's growth and flowering

Like many rhizome perennials, the ground part of irises every year dies off, and in the axils of the leaves dormant replacement buds remain during wintertime. In early summer, with the emergence of young buds from these buds, begins the laying of flower buds. If you want to get a flower bed with blossoming irises already this season, then you need to plant only young plants that have about 8 fully developed leaves. They are strong enough to release a flower stalk and please you with flowering already this year.

Bookmark inflorescences of the next year

The end of summer - the beginning of autumn - is a very important stage in the development of this plant species. At this time, the inflorescence is laid for the next flowering period and the formation of young roots. How to care for and when to transplant irises will be better, given this aspect? Firstly, in August-September, irises need a particularly thorough care and attention: they need to be watered and fed in a timely manner, as this will directly determine the successful growth and development of plants in the next season. Secondly, it is strictly forbidden to trim the leaves of the irises in autumn, as this may give an impetus to the premature development of shoots from replacing kidneys, and will also make the fragile rudiments of inflorescences of the next year defenseless even before a slight cold. In addition, this is the period when replanting irises is not the best solution, because damaging fragile young roots or inflorescences, you will almost certainly lose the chance to enjoy their flowering next year.

Competent transplantation and reproduction - a pledge of abundant and regular flowering

"So when can you change the irises so that they surely will blossom next year?" - you ask. The answer is only one: right after the end of flowering, but before the period of formation of buds of inflorescences and young roots. The ideal option is two weeks after the last flowers wither 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. The adult bush of irises selected for division is carefully removed from the ground, the rhizome is shaken off and is divided in such a way 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 cuts are made with a sharp knife or a pruner with a sharp knife so that the surface is flat and then lowered for a while into a strong solution of potassium permanganate (for disinfection of slices), dried in the sun and 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 peculiarities of growth and development of this flower culture, you can decide when to transplant irises and how to do it right. Good luck to you in your endeavors!