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By KentPfeiffer | Although irises produce glorious flowers, the plants are remarkably carefree. They do have a somewhat unusual pattern of growth in comparison with other common garden perennials, though, and this presents challenges to gardeners.
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Name: Deb Planet Earth, Pacific NW (Zone 8b)              Bonehead Apr 15, 2013 7:13 PM CST |
| I have been under the apparent and now-corrected misconception that I have to continually divide these thugs, and it often just doesn't get done. This information is invaluable to me, and I look forward to rejuvenating my iris beds post haste! I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned. |
Name: Paul Utah (Zone 5b) Grandchildren are my greatest joy.             Paul2032 Apr 15, 2013 8:01 PM CST |
| Great information and lovely pictures Kent. Paul Smith Pleasant Grove, Utah |
Name: Mary Ann Kentucky             Muddymitts Apr 15, 2013 8:33 PM CST |
| Valuable information Kent -- thank you for posting this. Thoughts become things -- choose the good ones. (www.tut.com) |
Name: Dave Whitinger Jacksonville, Texas (Zone 8b)         |
| It makes perfect sense! Thank you for sharing this, Kent. You've helped a lot of people. |
Name: Rob Duval Mason, New Hampshire (Zone 5b)       |
| fantastic little article. Very informative read. |
Name: Kent Pfeiffer Southeast Nebraska (Zone 5b)     |
| My pleasure. I think many gardeners have been doing this sort of thing for decades. It's just that the published information on iris culture mostly comes from commercial growers, which makes sense, they're the ones with the most experience. But, commercial growers often dig and replant their entire fields every year or two, a technique like this wouldn't be very applicable. |
Name: Marilyn Northern KY (Zone 6a) Laughter is the best medicine!      Marilyn Apr 15, 2013 11:07 PM CST |
Muddymitts said:Valuable information Kent -- thank you for posting this.      Maybe I'll start growing Irises again. Kent, You say you can do this anytime?! (Spring, Summer or Fall) |
Name: Vickie Elberfeld, Indiana, USA (Zone 6b)       blue23rose Apr 16, 2013 5:12 AM CST |
| I never knew that once a rhizome sends up a stalk, that it never does again! I have some clumps that definitely need thinning, not divided Thank you very much for the info. Vickie May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown |
Name: Anna Central NY (Zone 5a)     RavenCroft Apr 16, 2013 5:23 AM CST |
Wonderful, informative article! I have an ancient clump of iris that came with the place, & are in need of thinning out. Now, where to I get one of those Japanese Hori-Hori knives? |
Name: Kent Pfeiffer Southeast Nebraska (Zone 5b) |
Marilyn said: Yes, you can do it any time. I like to thin the ones that are crowding their neighbors in the early spring because that is when it's easiest to see what's going on. You have to understand the growth cycle of the plant, though. Thinning in the early spring likely costs some bloom stalks, but usually the ones that are crowding their neighbors will produce plenty anyway. As I said in the article, we don't have a lot of problems with rot here, but if you do, you'll want to be careful about when you thin. Generally, bearded iris are most vulnerable to rot under hot and humid conditions with saturated soils. |
Name: Kent Pfeiffer Southeast Nebraska (Zone 5b) |
RavenCroft said:Wonderful, informative article! I have an ancient clump of iris that came with the place, & are in need of thinning out. Now, where to I get one of those Japanese Hori-Hori knives? I bought mine from the Duluth Trading Co., but they can be found in a lot of places. My only recommendations are to buy a real one that was made in Japan, not a knockoff from China, and the ones with stainless steel blades are easier to clean than the ones with carbon steel blades. They aren't cheap, but they will last for decades if taken care of. http://www.duluthtrading.com/s... |
Name: Anna Central NY (Zone 5a) RavenCroft Apr 16, 2013 1:49 PM CST |
| Thanks for the advice & the link, Kent! |
Name: Vicki North Carolina      vic Apr 16, 2013 4:18 PM CST |
| Thank you so much for this information! Huge sigh of relief here ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~ CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~ Heart Strength ~ Find JOY at http://joyfultimestoday.com/ |
Name: Marilyn Northern KY (Zone 6a) Laughter is the best medicine! Marilyn Apr 16, 2013 9:45 PM CST |
RavenCroft said:Wonderful, informative article! I have an ancient clump of iris that came with the place, & are in need of thinning out. Now, where to I get one of those Japanese Hori-Hori knives? I got mine last year from High Country Gardens http://www.highcountrygardens.... |
Name: Marilyn Northern KY (Zone 6a) Laughter is the best medicine! Marilyn Apr 16, 2013 9:45 PM CST |
| Thanks Kent! |
Name: Paul Utah (Zone 5b) Grandchildren are my greatest joy. Paul2032 Apr 17, 2013 9:00 AM CST |
| This method works well for Hosta also. A good way to renew a clump that has grown old and not vigorous in the center. Paul Smith Pleasant Grove, Utah |
So Cal (Zone 10b)  OldGardener Apr 17, 2013 7:08 PM CST |
| As an older and disabled gardener, this tip is particularly helpful. Although I cannot stand up to use a shovel, I can certainly sit and use a knife! Thank you so much! "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -Abraham Lincoln |
Name: Polly Kinsman Hannibal, NY (Zone 6a)     PollyK Apr 17, 2013 8:14 PM CST |
| Excellent article, Kent! |
Name: Paul Frisco TX (Zone 8a) TX living, but CA dreamin'      pniksch Apr 17, 2013 9:37 PM CST |
| Thanks for the info, Kent. Appreciate it very much! Paul "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly." Thomas Paine, 1776 |
Name: woofie NE WA (Zone 5a)       woofie Apr 18, 2013 12:33 PM CST |
| Very timely article! And a lot of information I was not aware of! I didn't realize that the rhizomes wouldn't rebloom either. And I just ordered some new iris for this year for a new spot, so this is wonderful information to have. Thank you so much! Confidence is that feeling you have right before you do something really stupid. |
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