Bearded irises are very prone to rot if overwatered and/or if grown in soil that has less than ideal drainage. Bearded irises don't require supplemental water at all unless you live in an arid, desert climate or are in a severe drought. You've unfortunately discovered that reality on your own.

This late in the season, I suggest you leave the irises in place and hope that they will outgrow the rot and put out new increases, which it sounds like they are already doing. Some may live and some may die, but the same thing will happen if you dig them up and treat them for rot.

You won't be able to get rid of the rot by digging your irises and throwing them away. The rot organism is in your soil (and in most soil). The trick is to keep your irises healthy so that the rot organism can't get a foothold in your plants. Overwatering softens the plants' flesh and allows bacteria to invade them.

Good luck,

Laurie

Looks like you may live in the Portland area. Since I have interplanted my iris with other plants I water all summer. Some things I have found that help reduce rot, (not eliminate), 1. Make sure they are planted on a mound. Notice that Schreiner's beds are raised beds. It helps the water drain away. 2. Divide clumps more frequently. Iris need air drainage too. Ideally keep plants 4-6 inches apart. Also, I have seen rot move through a clump, if you divide them they aren't attached to each other. 3. In the fall trim the leaves back so the base of the plant gets sunshine. Our occasional sunshine will help reduce the rot organisms in your soil. 4. Plant iris where they aren't shaded (by other plants, like on the south side of your bed)in the wintertime. 5. Avoid any fertilizer with nitrogen after June, choose ferilizers low in nitrogen in the spring.

I would also sprinkle some comet or ajax or something along that line on the part that has the rot. Make sure it has bleach in the product. This will help dry up the rot or so it seems to here in TEXAS. This is a trick I learned from a lady in her late 80's and she has the most beautiful irises I've ever seen.

You might want to see if others have anything to say regarding using the bleach product on them.

Happy Gardening and good luck I know how it is to lose your irises to water. My iris beds stayed under water for over 2 months due to the rainfall we had here in Texas in the Spring. Gut wrenching to say the least.

Marian

Thanks everyone! I will try my best :)