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Learn how to care for and divide you irises from Colorado based iris grower Iris4u. Bob VanLiere with Iris4u is a Commercial Iris grower. On 2.5 acres, the farm produces thousands of new plants each year. Bob gives advice on digging up the irises and replanting them for new plants in your garden - the best time is Mid-July. The process: Dig Up clumps with a pitch fork every 3-5 years. This will prevent dead centers. Old roots will rot - creating dead spots in the plant. Divide by breaking out the new roots from the old roots. The new roots will have grown since the middle of May. New roots will be light in color compared to the darker older roots. Divide out the plant so each fan is separate. Cut the fan into a diamond shape (about six inches from the root). Use a sharpie or marker to label the color and variety of the flower. Let each plant sit over night before re-planting. Prepare the soil with some fresh compost and Triple Super Phosphate (2lbs per 100 square feet). Be sure to mix in the additives well around the hole where you will be planting. Do not place on top of the soil. Place plants about 12"-18" apart at different angles. This will allow the plants to flower at different times... Just barely cover the root/rhizome base. Irises like to be planted very shallow. No additional garden fertilizers are necessary. Once you see the center fan coming out you will know that the plant has been established. Do not mulch, these plants like to be dry. Water the plants until they are established. Once they are established they like full sun and warm and dry soil. For more garden advice - visit http://digincolorado.com/category/gardening-topics/