When is the best time to take up Iris's?

like i have a couple people that want some of my bulbs and i d/k weather to wait until after they are done blooming or do it while they are blooming or what?

When is the best time to take up Iris's?
Yes. You should wait until after they finish blooming. Here in Massachusetts we divide them in August. August tends to be dry and after they have finished blooming. The iris stop growing (go dormant) although they still have green leaves. The other person gave good advice on how to divide them. If you have more than one color be sure you mark which tubers had which color bloom so you don't disappoint your friends.



I use plastic spoons and a sharpie marker to mark my plants. Write on the bottom of the spoon bowl and stick the handle into the soil next to the plant.



Iris should be planted with the top of the tuber just showing above the ground although it will not hurt too much if they are slightly underground, just don't bury them deeply.
Reply:The optimun time for dividing Iris is in the early fall. If you want to do it sooner wait until they have finished blooming.

I use a spading fork to dig them. Iris grow from rhizomes which are a little different than bulbs. The spading fork will dig in between the rhizomes and not nick them like a shovel might.. Also, I would recommend trimming the Iris foliage down a bit before digging them only because they can be quite tall and it might be awkward otherwise. If the foliage isn't too tall I wouldn't worry about it.
Reply:Don't do it when they are flowering. Best time is early fall or real early spring, but the best is fall.
Reply:Belief it or not in august.Thats because the bugs that eat on the tubers are gone.