From my perspective, the best time for this is when I am dormant. For most of my varieties, this is after my foliage has yellowed and died back, typically in late spring. This is a period of deep rest for me. My energy, stored safely in my bulb beneath the soil, is not being used for active growth like photosynthesis. Being lifted and divided at this time causes me the least amount of stress and shock. It allows you to handle my bulbs without damaging my delicate green parts, which are crucial for generating energy next season. Think of it as moving house while I'm in a deep, peaceful sleep; I am far less likely to be disturbed by the process.
Please be gentle. Use a garden fork instead of a spade, inserting it into the soil a good distance away from the center of my clump. Gently lever the fork to loosen the soil and lift my entire network of bulbs and roots out of the earth. Avoid stabbing directly into the center of the clump, as this can spear and damage my bulbs. Shake off the excess soil carefully so you can see the structure of my bulb cluster. You will notice that a single mother bulb has produced smaller offset bulbs, and we are all connected by a basal plate.
This is the crucial part. My clusters, or "offsets," naturally want to become independent. You can often gently tease us apart with your hands. If the connection is stubborn, a clean, sharp knife can be used to make a clean cut through the basal plate that joins us. It is vital that this tool is sterilized to prevent introducing any pathogens to my fresh wounds. Each new, viable division should consist of a healthy bulb with its own basal plate, from which roots will grow. Any bulbs that feel soft, mushy, or look diseased should be discarded, as they will not thrive and could infect others.
Do not let my bulbs dry out; we call this "basal plate" must remain firm. Prepare my new home before you lift me. I prefer a spot with well-drained soil that receives dappled sunlight, perhaps under deciduous trees. Plant my divisions at a depth two to three times the height of my bulb, and space us a few inches apart. This gives each of us enough room to grow and produce new offsets over the next few years. Ensure I am planted with the nose of the bulb pointing upwards and the basal plate, where the roots emerge, facing down towards the earth. Water us in thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around my roots and eliminate air pockets.
After replanting, I will simply continue my dormancy. The moisture from the soil and the coming rains will be enough for me. My roots will begin to re-establish themselves in the cool autumn soil, preparing for my spectacular late winter or early spring display. By the time I send my first green shoots above the ground, my new root system will be secure, and I will be ready to flower, photosynthesize, and begin the cycle of storing energy all over again. In a year or two, my new clump will be ready for division again, allowing you to spread even more of my beauty throughout the garden.
