From my perspective, the best time for you to undertake this process is when I am dormant. After my beautiful blooms have faded and my foliage has yellowed and died back, I redirect my energy downward. My life force retreats into my claw-like corms, which are my storage organs. This dormant period, typically in late summer or early autumn, is when I am least disturbed by being lifted and divided. You digging me up then feels like a natural part of my cycle, a gentle interruption before my next growth phase begins, rather than a traumatic event that disrupts my active flowering or leaf production.
Please approach this task with care. Use a garden fork to gently loosen the soil around me, avoiding my delicate corms. Lift my entire clump from the earth. I have spent the growing season storing nutrients, and my corms are plump and full of potential. Gently brush off the excess soil to reveal my structure. You will see a central mass—the original mother corm—surrounded by smaller offset corms, often connected by fine, hair-like roots. These offsets are my future, my way of ensuring my legacy continues in your garden.
This is the most critical step. My corms are living, breathing packets of energy. Carefully tease the smaller offset corms away from the main mother corm. They should separate with a gentle twist or by using your hands; if they are stubborn, a clean, sharp knife may be necessary. It is paramount that any tool you use is sterilized to prevent introducing pathogens to my fresh wounds. Each viable division must have at least one "eye" or growth bud—a small, pointy protrusion from which next season’s growth will emerge. Without an eye, I simply cannot sprout.
After division, I am vulnerable. My separated surfaces need to callus over to prevent rot when I am returned to the soil. Please place me in a cool, dry, and shaded place for a day or two. This short rest period is invaluable for my success. When replanting, orient me with my claw-like "toes" pointing downward into the soil. Plant me approximately 1-2 inches deep in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. I crave sunlight, so choose a spot where I will receive plenty of it. Water me in thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around my roots and provide the moisture needed to signal the end of my dormancy.
With the cool temperatures of autumn or early spring, I will begin to awaken. The moisture and nutrients in the soil will trigger my eyes to swell and send down new roots, establishing my new, independent existence. Your consistent care—keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged—will support me as I establish myself. This careful process of division allows me to thrive without becoming overcrowded, which leads to more vigorous growth and an even more spectacular display of my flowers for you to enjoy in the seasons to come.
