Replanting is stressful for the plants. If it is not done in time, the flower will take a long time to recover, and may die completely.
When to plant irises
If you follow the rules, the iris should be transplanted in late summer or early fall, since flowering takes place in May and June. But they are the exception to the rule. There are more than one period for successful transplanting:
In early spring before flowering;
In 2 weeks after it, when the rapid growth of the root system begins;
August – bearded species are transplanted near the end of it, while Japanese tendrils are best transplanted early in the month;
Planting before the end of September is possible for Siberian irises.
These conditions must be observed if the plants are transplanted, while separating them. Otherwise, you can transplant the flower at any time, keeping the ground clump completely intact on the roots. It will be enough just to water it well.
Botanical features of irises
This is a perennial plant with a thick, creeping rhizome, divided into links. Every year, new links are added, and the old ones gradually die off. The rhizome is located superficially, only thin filamentous or cord-like roots are immersed in the ground. For proper growth and development of iris, it is important that the back of the rhizome be exposed to sunlight. All these features must be taken into account when transplanting.
Variety
The iris family is one of the most numerous, quite a few species have been introduced into culture. All irises are divided into bearded and nonbearded. The first ones have thick, bristly tufts at the base of the lower lobes of the perianths – the boles, hence the name. Among the bearded irises there are giants with flower stalks up to 1.5 meters long and dwarfs, not exceeding 20 cm in height. They also differ in the timing of flowering.
Non-bearded irises are sword or Japanese, Siberian and marsh. All these plants are rhizomatous.
Foreign botanists refer to the family of bulbous plants: Juno, Iridodictium, Xiphium. They are less winter-hardy and require different care.
The peculiarities of the species must also be taken into account when planting:
Bearded irises are planted superficially, only slightly covered with soil;
Japanese and Siberian species require 5-8 cm deepening, some of them are moisture-loving, they are grown in containers submerged in the pond to a shallow depth;
Bulb species are planted to the same depth.
How to plant irises
A place with good sunshine is suitable for irises, some shade in the afternoon hours is acceptable. In the shade grows green mass, but flowering will be weak. Not suitable for these flowers is a site with stagnant water or blown by a strong wind.
The soil should be loose, fertile, well-drained and have a reaction close to neutral, liming may be required. Loam and loamy sand are best suited, heavy soils are improved by adding sand, the mechanical composition of light soils requires the introduction of clay and peat, especially important for moisture-loving species.
Preparing the site
It begins no later than two weeks before planting, so that the soil is slightly compacted. Otherwise the rhizome would sink too deep into the soil. Weeds need to be chosen very carefully, especially for wheatgrass, sedge, gout. The seedlings give even small pieces of roots, weeding them out later, without damaging the irises, will be very difficult. The soil must be loose, so dig it to a greater depth – not less than the bayonet of the spade. On the sq. The first ones have thick bristly villi that look like beard-like tufts, hence the name:
A bucket of humus, fresh manure should not replace it;
A glass or two of wood ash;
A bucket of sand;
half a cup of superphosphate.
Preparation of planting material
The seedling is dug up with a pitchfork. The cutting tool should be sharp. After each incision, it is disinfected in a strong solution of manganese solution or in vodka. The rhizome is cut into links. For planting will be suitable links no older than 2 years. Each of them should have a developed root lobe and a fan of leaves. Disinfect the rhizomes and roots in a strong solution of manganese solution, soaking time – 20 minutes. Cover the cuts with crushed coal or ash. Shorten the leaf fan by a third. Cut the roots so that their length is 8 cm. Spread the prepared material in the sun and let it dry for 2-3 days.
Planting technology:
Water the soil with a solution of fungicide;
dig a shallow hole, forming a mound of earth in the center of it;
The prepared division is set on a mound, the roots spread out on the sides;
fill them with soil, the rhizome should be at its level;
watering.
In non-bearded irises, the rhizomes are buried by 5-8 cm.
If the weather is hot, water daily. In this case, it does not hurt to shade the plants with a covering material.
As a rule, plants transplanted in time will bloom well into the next season.
