Need help with Iris plants
I bought two Iris plants about 10 years ago. Both in the same pots, same soil, watered, fed, and sunned identically. They both only produced blooms once, about 5 years ago. Just recently, one died. Question: can I 'divide' the living one to make two plants? If so, how to best do it? Or should I just go buy another one? Any help would be more than appreciated! Thanks, guys.
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Iris need room to grow. When this is absent from the environment, they stop blooming. Yes, you can separate but remember do not plant deep into the soil. The majority of the root system is above ground and they thrive in direct sunlight. I have to separate mine every year which is not much fun. The root system is thick and I use a shovel to break mine apart. If you want a blooming plant in the house, I suggest an Amaryllis, they are beautiful. My suggestions are based on my personal experience.
I learned at a meeting I went to on Iris that they bloom on the new tubers that grow each year and as stated above they need room to spread so that new tubers can grow. Then when the new stems come up each year they grow on the new tubers. That was news to me.
Thanks so much for answering. It seems, from your answer, that I should 'divide' the one into two, with hope they'll both have room to bloom! I appreciate you taking time to help.