Hi Treecop,

I think instead of having them all in one big bag, I would separate them out some.

Maybe put them in several flat boxes, and cover lightly with sawdust, peat moss, or even layers of newspaper.

Rhizomes are quite tuff, and if you ever looked at those packaged at WM or other places, they are in a breathable plastic bags, with some shavings, and are usually quite dry.

When the spring comes, if green growth doesn't come up in the planting area, I think you could just till again (if you want), plant, and Preen well. I'm told that Preen should be watered in or else existing seeds can germinate b4 the Preen is activated by rain.

If the bed is not edged, I'd consider some kind of edging, to keep the many creeping things (crabgrass, etc) from creeping back in around the edges.

Have you gotten rid of any of the iris? or do you have all that were dug out? If you kept all of them, I would think you would need to expand the existing area, to accommodate planting all of them, so they will not be overgrown in just a season or 2.

I'm guessing the hundreds of varieties are now all mixed up, so if you don't plant them all, you may not have a start of each and every one of them...right?

Sue

Thank you for your reply. I will straighten the bag out today. Yes we are tilling the area again in spring before we do the Preen - and it does need watered in if rain isn't forecast right away. Yes the area will be larger and what doesnt fit will be distributed in numerous other areas around the property and they are all mixed up now but thats part of the anticipation - what did I do with the colors this time??

Just don't use sawdust for your plants, it can dry out fast. Try to use sand or just potting soil. The best time to divide irises (like german bearded and others with rhizomes) are in late august or sept.