OMGosh Char

What wonderful info.

Thanks

Dawn

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!!

 Well, there are several ways to ship iris. 1) bare root, this way saves in shipping weight. If you dig the iris fresh from the ground, just trim the fans to fit in box. Spray off as much dirt with water as you can. I like to leave as much fan as possible because the ryhzome gets energy from the fans. This is why you don't pull off fading fans until they are really almost gone. Fresh dug iris should be wrapped in moist newspaper and placed in or wrapped in a plastic bag (kroger,publix, etc..) They will not be in risk of rotting in the time it takes to ship them. Just pack enough newspaper so that they are safe from being jarred around.

Plus, it depends on the type of iris too. Japanese or Louisiana iris must not be allowed to dry out. Siberian iris also prefer to keep at least the roots moist. If the roots dry out completely, even for one night, they will most likely die. Tall bearded iris can dry out for about a year (roots and all) and wake back up once they are replanted. However, you will loose growing time while they are lying there dried out. Holland iris (bulbs) can also dry out just like any other type of bulb (tulip, crocus,etc..)  However, any iris shipped bare root that is derived from a ryhzome will not bloom for at least a year or more. So,think about that when you buy or trade for iris shipped this way.

 2) Iris can be shipped potted if they have been started in that pot from the very beginning. This allows the roots not to be disturbed and gives you a better chance of seeing them bloom that season. However, if you are just going to dig them up and then put them in a pot and immediately ship then, the potting does not help too much. But, if you started the iris in pots for 3 or more months, then there is a chance that they will bloom that season. Potted iris should be wrapped in a plastic bag and then secured with additional newspaper stuffing to make sure they stay potted through transit. The more secure the better. You could try the  Coke bottle method if you have been letting them grow in that bottle for 3 months or more.

3) Dig iris fresh from ground in a very large undisturbed clump. Meaning, you can not see the roots that are still buried in the formed dirt mound. Fill a pot or plastic bag with additional dirt and pack firmly into place. Place in a LARGE box and stuff with newspaper until secure. These iris will most likely bloom on a normal schedule for who ever gets them if they set them into the ground without disturbing the roots when planting. But, of course, this would cost a lot to ship. But, maybe someone is very impatient and wants to see the flower right away. So, they can pay for the shipping if they want this way. 

As genreal rule of thumb, iris should not be dug until fall. This is when they are dormant. You can dig them in the summer after they have bloomed too. But, you have to be careful of rotting them due to moist heat.

So, there is no one "Right" way to ship iris. However, keeping them moist is usually the best unless they are bulbs or have already dried out completely anyway. But, potted iris are GROWING iris. So, if you are going to send iris from ryhzome, then let them grow until the person is ready for them.

I would just ask the person that you are shipping to what they prefer and just go from there. Some people don't care if the iris bloom for a season or two while some others would like to see them bloom within in a year if possible.

Well, these are the different ways I have recieved iris and sent iris to people. I hope they help you guys decide which way you want to do. Good luck!

Char

1violetheart trades

It literally pays to be an educated consumer, hm?

Tatyana

Once again the post office tried to get the best of me, BUT I just opened the box and took 2/10^th’s of an oz out and cut the shipping from almost 8 dollars to 4.60

Sorry Dale there will be a small part of an iris missing.

TTFN,

coco

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!!

Ditto to what Deb said, but I leave the fans just a little longer.

Be sure & wait till after they bloom, then you can mark the color/variety right on the fans with a sharpie marker.

DizzyD %-}                   

  Lavender Poppy

Hi coco,the way I ship iris is by digging them up and cleaning them real good and then cut off all of the fans to about 2 inches.Then let them sit to dry up for a few days.Them wrap in newspaper and fill pkg with newspaper scraps etc...to protect them.

That's the way I do it!