Question by But Inside I’m Screaming: I want to separate some plants this fall…is this a good time?
I want to split and move some hostas and bearded irises. Do I need to wait for all of the foliage to die before, or can I do it now? I live in zone 4.
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Answer by ANGEL
You can separate & move them now. You don’t have to wait for the foliage to die. For Iris, it’s best to do this early enough so they can get established before winter sets in.
If you don’t divide Iris when they get crowded…they don’t like to bloom. Also if you plant them too deep…they won’t bloom. Make sure their rhizomes have their top part exposed so they can get some sun & won’t rot. Cut the leaves in a fan shape to compensate for the lose of roots.
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1167.htm
Video: How to divide, & replant Iris rhizomes:
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Plant-and-Split-Iris-Bulbs-18630109
Hosta is tough enough to divide anytime after the plants have hardened off & are not still tender. These instructional videos on Hosta discuss dividing & transplanting Hosta in the spring or later in the fall:
Good luck!!! Hope this is helpful.
What do you think?
Yes, this is a good time and I’m doing the same thing this week.
I like to transplant before the fall rains start and after the temperatures are in the 70’s. On the hosta’s I jut transplant, on the irise’s after I transplant them I cut off the leaves to about three or four inches, it help to keep them from falling over after the transplant. When you transplant remember to plant them at the same depth they were growing in.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26fr%3Dmy-myy-s%26va%3Dtransplanting%2Biris%2Bwith%26sz%3Dall&w=200&h=214&imgurl=www.napairis.com%2Fimages%2Fgrow4.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.napairis.com%2Fdivision.html&size=17.8kB&name=grow4.jpg&p=transplanting+iris+with&type=JPG&oid=5c12ffea8c2f52ea&no=12&tt=31&sigr=115ndbqj4&sigi=1111og2np&sigb=13ac7qbbs
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimage%26fr%3Dmy-myy-s%26va%3Ddividing%2Bhosta%2Bwith%26sz%3Dall&w=418&h=300&imgurl=www.bridgewoodgardens.com%2Fimages%2FDIVIDING%2520B.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bridgewoodgardens.com%2FHOSTA%2520BOOK%2520DIVIDING.htm&size=13.9kB&name=DIVIDING+B.jpg&p=dividing+hosta+with&type=JPG&oid=764f2e691bfe9400&no=6&tt=47&sigr=11s31pcsi&sigi=11h1qs89u&sigb=136v3v1od
they say to divide hosta use a serrated blade and yes it is good time dont forget to water weekly