I’m moving and want to take some of my iris bulbs.. I won’t be able to replant them right away. How long can I keep them above ground and how should I store them?
This article will help; https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/iris/storing-iris-rhizomes.htm
I live in northern New Jersey. I haven't disturbed the planting area. I've had beautiful blooms and plants for 3 years. Now this year nothing came up. I have daffodils in the same garden which are doing great. Can you suggest some answers?
Excess water; flooding could have killed off the plants.
Also pests like gophers and moles can kill the rhizomes.
roots are extremely difficult to dig up...any advice will be appreciated..
Unfortunately, digging them up will be the only option! Doing this every year, or every couple of years will help cut down on the labor. Division will help restore your Iris bed.
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/iris/dividing-transplanting-iris.htm
I'm in Connecticut … can I divide them now and hold them in the basement to plant in the spring?
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/iris/dividing-transplanting-iris.htm
And when do I take the bulb out that flowered also?
After all the iris buds have bloomed on a stem you can remove it by cutting it at the base. There is no rush to remove the rhizome. Leave them in the clump for three years or more till the clump needs to be divided. Here's how:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/iris/divide-bearded-irises.htm
My Aunt had the most beautiful irises. After she dug the bulbs and divided them she washed them with a solution of bleach and warm water but I don't know the ratio. Thank you. Bonnie Myers
That is just to ensure that it does not rot in storage. I would recommend a dustable fungicide rather than liquid, though. It can be tricky to use a liquid fungicide and still let it be dry enough to store.
Potassium bicarbonate makes a good fungicide for dusting, as does wettable sulfur (this one is my go-to)
This article will help you with the storage of Iris rhizomes: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/iris/storing-iris-rhizomes.htm
Iris borers can bring bacterial rot with them. Dipping rhizomes in a 10% bleach solution is said to help prevent this. Dipping only needs to be done if borers have invaded iris rhizomes. If you haven't encountered iris borers yet, thank your lucky stars.
what is it , should i plant it?
It sounds like a seedpod has grown on your iris. It is possible to grow iris from seed but new plants won't bloom for 2 years. Division is the usual method for propagating iris at home. Some seeds may take more than a year to germinate so patience is vital. Since most iris are hybrids, seed grown plants won't look exactly like the parent plant - genetics at work. The following article explains the process: https://theamericanirissociety.blogspot.com/2017/02/growing-irises-from-seed.html