Question
Hi again: I can't wait until frost, as we're moving end of Sept. That will be 4-6 weeks before first frost. I also have to leave some, so I figure on dividing the clumps. Should I put them in a refrigerator so they won't keep growing? Or should I find a place to heel them in until Spring?
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Followup To
Question -
I am moving and want to take some of my Siberian irises. I need to dig and divide them in September (zone 7) and store them until the new house is done -- probably February. How and where should I store the bulbs? It might be possible to heel them in somewhere temporarily if out of ground storage is too risky. Thanks
Answer -
Hi Ralph,
Thanx for your question. First off, Siberian irises don't have bulbs.  They more or less have roots not even like the rhizomes bearded irises have.  Dig up your Siberians and shake the dirt off of them and I would do this at the last minute before your first big frost.  Not the frost that bites back the tender plants but the frost that wilts even the hardier things.  Then, dig up the roots, clump and all and store in a very cool part of the basement (preferably below 50 degrees F but not freezing either.) until you are able to transplant in the spring in your new place.  I hope this helps.
Tom

Answer
Hi Ralph,
For German bearded irises you can dig up the rhizomes and store them in the basement.  For Siberians, their rhizomes are very thin.  Leave the dirt on the rhizomes and store them in a cool, dry place in the basement.  I would take the roots and cover them in a thin layer of dirt, then some cedar mulch and leave them in a pile in a cool, dark, dry part of the basement.  I hope this helps.
Tom