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August is the month for moving, thinning plants

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Know it and grow it
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By
George Bonnema, Luverne

 
It is August … already! This is the month to transplant, move or thin our German bearded iris. The plant will continue to grow in the direction the rhizome is pointing, so keep that in mind when you are replanting them so that someday you won’t have to move the house to make room for the iris. Also, the rhizome must be exposed on top of the ground. The roots form on the sides and bottom of that bulb and if it is covered with soil, it will eventually rot. 
August is also the time to divide or move peonies. Both fern leaf and standard peonies develop tubers and by this time in the growing season, you will be able to see the “eyes” for next year’s growth. 
When replanting the tubers, that eye must be within one inch of the surface of the soil or they will refuse to bloom. 
When working with the fern leaf peonies, I lift the entire clump and wash the soil off with water pressure.  Then I can see exactly what I am doing while trying to untangle the tubers.  It is usually best to have a clump of three eyes to get a new clump to establish quickly.
 With standard peonies, the tubers generally grow straight down so you can just cut (chop) through the clump and remove half while leaving the other half unless you need to relocate the entire plant.  
Water thoroughly when finished and then allow the soil to become dry before watering again.  It is important not to overwater while the plants become re-established. Peonies grow best in full sun. Often they start out that way, and then over the years, trees in the area grow larger, producing shade, and the peonies lose their energy because of a lack of direct sun.  Relocating the peonies is the only way to regain their energy.
 

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