Sorry to hear that Chelle -- back problems are the worst..............

Ugh...don't get me started on back pain.

Chelle that could be serious if it is kidneys. Be smart and don't wait to go to dr. if you start running any kind of temperature with it.

I don't feel ill or have a temperature, Bonnie, but thanks for the info on what to watch out for.

At least the iris order is in good shape, and I'm sure I will be again in a day or two.

How can you whistle while you nap?

My DH does it just fine.

lol!!!

I posted something here by mistake.

Lucy, I've been told it happens.

The back pain became manageable late yesterday, so what did I do today? Pulled something in my ribcage, felt it rip, on a speed ride at the county fair! Good grief! I'd have probably been better off if I'd stayed home and planted out those iris!

Oh no, Chelle! Ouch!

Oh, yeah...ouch! I haven't slept much tonight. Can't get comfortable or take a full breath. Doing ice and compression now...

Thanks for keeping me company.

Ouch, pulled muscles hurt.

I had a bout with a cold, the flu, then another cold and on to pneumonia a year and a half ago. I coughed so much I pulled muscles in my ribs. It was NOT a fun experience. Trying to sleep with that was difficult to say the least. Ouch! I hope it heals quickly for you.

How many years or growing seasons does it take for a clump to become a good size specimen and before you have to divide it up ?

On established plants that are year or so old, do you still cut down the fans in the Fall ?

My experience has been around 3-4 years before I have to divide them up. I always cut down the fans on all or most every fall. It makes things much tidier.

For me, it's depends on the cultivar. I've had second-year plantings that needed dividing real bad. And some are ok for four or five years.

Same here, some are extremely vigorous while others are quite slow to increase. I like to cut them all back in fall, whether or not I get around to it may be another story altogether, LOL.

I never cut my fans off. It became a big fad during the 50's and 60's to trim the fans after bloom season and there are still older people who ask me 'when is the best time to trim the fans?' and swear by the practice. I let nature take its course and only pull spent outer leaves off. The ones that die over the winter get pulled off early spring when new little leaves are beginning to sprout.

I think once the numbers get high enough, I may quit cutting, too. Clean-up in spring is easy. The leaves just come right off. Hmm...I may be there now.