Question
we live victoria,bc canada .  can we divide iris now,Aug 17/10 let dry for 3 days and store in peatmoss and straw to plant in new bed in spring?

Answer
Hello Bea

Yes, you can certainly store your iris rhizomes over the winter.  What you should do now is cut down the foliage by about half, to help the rhizomes to build up energy for their winter hibernation.  Dig up the plants at the end of this month or the beginning of September.

Inspect the rhizomes carefully, discarding any that are damaged or show signs of disease.

Put healthy rhizomes somewhere cool and dry for a day or two until they are dry.  Brush off as much soil as possible, remove any leaves that have wilted and 'plant' the rhizomes in a box of dry peat or sand making sure that they are not touching each other. Leave the box open and place it in a dark, cool - but frost free - place.  

Check the rhizomes over every six weeks or so and discard any that show signs of mould.  If they appear a bit shriveled and dry, mist them lightly with clean water - don't saturate them - replace them  in the box of peat/sand.

Plant out the following spring.

Gill