Never seen people cut them in segments before. Why would you? Anyway, it is getting late to divide, but separate the rhizomes and plant about and inch or so under the soil. Then cover with a couple inches of mulch. They like it acidic (unlike bearded iris) so azalea food is good for them. Keep them well watered.

You think I can just toss a little dirt over what's there? They're in 3 gallon pots(three pots total)and I'm not going to disturb them if it's late then. Wood chip mulch, pine chips, or needles?

When's traditional bloom season for you? Last summer I felt a bloom stalk starting, but I never watered enough. Stalk never emerged thru the inner fans, but felt like a small pencil inside.

Can you cut back Louisianas in the fall? Mine are so tall and need to be shorter so they do not fall over in the snow. Any harm in cutting them lower? I am glad someone advised adding soil and mulch. I did not know that. They sure do travel!!!!

Jane - No do not cut LA's in the fall. Their growth cycle is different than most other iris. They are dormant in the summer and begin their new growth cycle in the fall. The time to cut all the foliage back is in the summer, right after bloom time. New shoots start coming up about September. If you need to cut really tall growth, leave the new green growth.

Gabe - If they are pushing against the sides of the pot I would definitely take them out, divide and re-pot. The newer rhizomes grow on top of the old, so that is why they are pushing up out of the soil. It is still early enough not to really hurt them with transplanting. Don't cut off their foliage though. Also - most literature on LA's says they do not do well in pots, especially for bloom. You may want to create a little spot for them that is easy to get to to water. They are happy with clay. Mix peat moss and manure into the soil. Pop the iris in, cover with an inch or so of soil. Top with 2 inches or more of mulch (pine mulch is okay for them, they like the acid.)

Mine usually start blooming in late May, near the end of the TB's. Last year they bloomed along with the TB's throughout May. Probably because we got so warm in early spring.

Thank you, Leslie! I rescued them from the heavy ivy patch and don't know if they've ever bloomed with the previous owner. The spot they were originally has sitting water, which is why thy survived so long probably. There's actually a tiny baby one still there I noticed last week. Maybe since a few trees were cut and ground is cleared I'll place a clump there. My other two pots I'll have to figure out what to do, but may thin them out for sure.

fertilizer: always low nitrogen. the regular 5 or 6-10-10 should do well.

Agree - low nitrogen.