Plant Snatching Advice

[Willowwind]

The lady next door is moving and told me that I should snag the Iris' out of her front yard. I loved them when they were in bloom and I'm very happy to inherit them, but I have *NO* idea how to transplant them safely. Advice from all you transplanters is *very* welcome right now.

 

[amid chaos]

Awww and I thought you were going to give me advice on how to be a great plant snatcher. Oh well.

I suggest you plant them very shallow...almost so you can see the rhizome and then water periodically. At this time of the year it will probably just die back, but that's ok.

You are lucky to be given plants so you don't have to snatch them...

 

[Willowwind]

Originally posted by amid chaos

You are lucky to be given plants so you don't have to snatch them...

LoL... well, we are *sorta* snatching them.

The house was forclosed on and they awoke yesterday to the sheriff and movers knocking on their door. She offered me the plants to be spiteful to the bank which sold the house out from under her in the middle of refinancing negotiations, and they won't tell her who bought the mortgage.

I also found a Bee Balm (I identified that by reading these boards!) that I'm thinking of taking. And her tomato plant is currently in bloom. I don't want to risk moving that, but I'm quite sure I'll be able to harvest it before anyone else moves in.

 

[Snowwark]

Oh wow, your poor neighbour, Kristen, that must of been scary (and frustrating), for her!

Think of it as "adopting" her plants.

 

[Mamu]

How sad Kristen. Moving plants is very difficult in August. You can probably move the Iris safely though. As Amid has said plant the rhizome just below the soil. Most iris like a well-drained soil thats been enriched with compost. Also cut the tops of the Iris to from a V about 6 inches form the ground, once the root system has been established there shouldn't be any problem. This will prevent them from becoming top heavy and lifting out of the ground. Water then daily to help get the new root system going. As far as he Bee Balm you can try to move them. They may not take. I would also cut back the tops, they will probably wilt and die anyways. By removing most of the foliage and watering daily they may take. Good luck moving the plants.