If your freinds are worthy of your iris, they will wait for the proper time to plant them. :) :) :) Honestly, I have a friend who loves iris, but who is forever digging up her flower beds. Each years she digs up something and moves it, and then wonders why things don't bloom doh. I won't give her iris because by July, she's forgotten that she asked fo it all and it's too hot yadda yadda. She's one of those fly by nighters who just wants to plant in the spring. feh. One spring she ordered iris from Mid-America, not understanding that the iris wouldn't ship until July. Well, by July she was cranky and didn't want the iris, so I took it and planted in a community garden bed. Believe me, I had better things to do than plant her bloody iris, but I couldn't let these nice ones (Aardvark Lark! Starship Enterprise!) go unplanted and I didn't have any space at all.

I always soak my iris in a weak bleach solution for 15 minutes before planting, as Walter said in the article. It is not because they are dry, it is to have the bleach kill anything that may be on them, such as the start of rot. But if you missed that step before planting, I would not dig them up.

Hi there, You would be more likely to get a good response if you have posted in your own new thread. Here is something I copied from a Univ of Minn extension flyer on irises: Division There are two opportunities for dividing Siberian Iris. To insure flowering it is best to divide in early spring as new growth just appears. Waiting until the new growth has started may stress out the plants and prevent them from flowering that season. Dig up the clump and cut through the thick root system, keeping at least six growing points with adequate roots in each clump. Keep these sections moist, plant immediately, and then water in thoroughly. In late summer or early fall it is possible to cut back the foliage to about six inches, then dig and divide the plant as before. Replant, water in, and mulch well for winter survival. Siberian iris donâÂÂt require division as often as bearded iris to perform at their best; their tough crown often requires a strong arm to cut them apart. Good luck!

Wait until right after they bloom. Or during if you want to be sure of color placement. I've read Oct. is too iffy in zone 4.