Some perennials can be propagated particularly quickly and easily by dividing their root ball or rhizomes. In the case of the bearded iris, which is planted in many private gardens, division serves another purpose beyond propagation.

Bearded iris can be easily propagated by division

Get the lazy bearded iris going again

With the bearded iris, it is not uncommon for plants to become lazy after a few years in one location. This is usually not due to insufficient fertilization or a disease, but simply makes special care necessary. In order to stimulate the bearded iris to bloom again, simply dig up the rhizomes of the planting, divide them and replant them in a new location or in freshly loosened substrate. At the same time, the division will of course also give you a larger number of plants, whose root rhizomes you should divide and transplant again after a few years.

The optimal procedure for dividing the rhizomes

You can carry out the following steps equally with all varieties of bearded iris:

  • Carefully uncover the rhizomes with a spade or digging fork
  • carefully pull the fine roots with the rhizome out of the ground
  • Gently shake off excess soil
  • Place rhizomes of one plant variety in a container (so as not to mix them with rhizomes of other clumps)
  • Cut off old rhizome parts with sharp planting scissors
  • Trim roots and foliage

The easily recognizable, particularly old rhizome parts can simply be cut off with sharp plant scissors and disposed of. The remaining parts of the rhizome are divided into about 10 to 15 cm pieces and allowed to dry in the air for about half an hour. The roots grow better after planting if root growth is stimulated by a slight pruning. In order for the shortened roots to be able to supply the plant with sufficient nutrients during the growth phase, the foliage is shortened in a fan shape to a length of around 15 cm.

Do not plant rhizomes too deep in the soil

The rhizomes of the bearded iris grow just below or directly on the earth's surface. You should therefore not plant the rhizome parts too deeply into the soil in the course of division and propagation. Otherwise it could sometimes be that the bearded iris does not flower at all.

tips

Different varieties of bearded iris bloom at different times. The best time for dividing and propagating is right after flowering, as the plants are then in a somewhat dormant phase.

Category:

Vegetable garden