Help! Just received TB fans... Need advice on planting!

I know this isn't the best time to dig & divide irises, but I just received some big fans/tubers in a box from DG buddy. Some of them have buds, so they definitely aren't anywhere near dormant. I assume I should cut off any bloom stalks, but what of the rest of the plant? Some of them are huge fans on pretty small tubers with limited roots from the way they were divided, so I know those will need extra TLC. I think they are too tall to just plant out without serious staking, but I was thinking.... maybe I could pot them up and then plant them out later this summer when they have gone dormant?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

First, cut off any bloomstalks right down where they meet the rhizomes. Remove any dead, dying, or diseased leaves or parts of leaves. Then cut back the remaining foliage to a length that will remain upright without flopping over, about 6-9" (that way you won't have to stake them when you plant them). In order to help avoid possibly transferring pests or soil-borne diseases to your garden, soak the rzs in a bucket of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for 20 mins, then rinse in clear water.

If your temps won't exceed 90 degrees for the next couple of weeks, go ahead and plant now. If your temps are excessively hot already, pot them up and keep them in an area with some shade until temps cool off later this summer.

Hope that helps.

Laurie

How long have they been out of the ground. If it's only been a little while (a day or two) with temps being low you may have a chance of getting them to bloom out if you see color in the scapes. I'd give it a try, staking the stalk. If you see major wilting then definitely cut. Our temps and soil moisture may be to your advantage.

Roni

Laurie & Roni -- thanks so much for the prompt replies! Whew! Sounds like they will be all right. I'll soak them now and plant them out this evening... forecast looks pretty mild for the next week or two.

They were dug on the 12th and then shipped, so I think I'm going to play it safe and trim off the bloom stalks. I'll put them in a vase, and that should let me see the color!

:-)

Yes, I would agree. With that much time between dig & plant, you should cut off the bloom. Enjoy your flowers indoors and look forward to next spring.

I got them disinfected and planted out this evening... the fans look crisp and green, and I cut them about in half so they're 9 or 10 inches tall now and standing up pretty well. I'll check on them regularly for the next few weeks until they put down more roots, to make sure they don't need to be set back upright.

Thanks again for the help, ladies!