From our perspective, the optimal time for you to divide our corms is after our foliage has died back, signaling our entry into dormancy. This typically occurs in late autumn, after the first frost. Our leaves will yellow and wither; this is not a sign of distress but a natural process. We are drawing energy down from the leaves and storing it within our corm for the winter. Disturbing us while our leaves are still green disrupts this vital energy collection process, weakening us for the next growing season. By waiting until we are fully dormant, you work in harmony with our natural cycle, ensuring we have maximum stored energy for propagation and future growth.
Please approach our excavation with care. Use a garden fork to gently loosen the soil around us, lifting the entire cluster of corms out. Avoid pulling by the stems, as this can damage our base. Once we are above ground, gently brush off the loose soil. You will notice the old, flattened mother corm at the base, with one or more new, plump corms (called cormels) on top of it, and often many tiny cornlets surrounding the base. These cornlets are our future offspring. A period of air-drying for a day or two in a cool, well-ventilated space will help cure our outer layer and prepare us for separation.
This is the crucial act of propagation. The connection between the old mother corm and the new corms is now brittle and ready to break. Gently twist the new, healthy corms away from the withered, papery remains of the old mother corm, which you should discard as it will not regrow. You may also find smaller cormels, which are our juvenile form. These can be saved and planted, though they will likely take a full season or two of growth to reach flowering size. Handling us gently during this division prevents bruises and wounds that could let rot enter our storage tissues.
Before we can be replanted, we require a period of cool, dry rest that mimics winter. Place our cleaned and divided corms in a mesh bag or a ventilated box filled with a slightly moist medium like peat moss or vermiculite. The ideal storage environment is dark, with temperatures between 35-45°F (2-7°C). This chilling period is not optional; it is a physiological requirement for us to break dormancy and initiate flowering stems later. Check on us periodically during storage to ensure no rot has developed, removing any compromised corms to protect the others.
When the soil warms in spring, it is time for our rebirth. Plant us pointed-side up, about 4-6 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart in well-draining soil with ample sunlight. The stored energy within our corm will fuel the initial burst of root and shoot growth. As we emerge and begin photosynthesis, we will start the process anew, developing a replacement corm for the next season and often generating new cormels around our base, continuing the beautiful cycle of life you helped propagate.
