Splitting overgrown irises, etc

Well, thanks to the advice I got on here and at my local aquatic centre, I managed to clean out the pump, both the filters and get the UV filter re-connected. Immediate HUGE increase in flow made the filters look much better, and a couple of weeks later I could actually see the fish :D

Now I'm starting to look at the plants. The irises were gorgeous, but do seem to be trying to take over. There are both blue and yellow, all growing into a huge mat - it's already taking up about 2.5m of the edge, and growing out into the middle as hard as it can. They're also growing into a pot of variegated grasses (although they're getting their own back as well...)

So - what's the best way of splitting them into more manageable chunks? I can see if they're only a little overgrown you just have the pot out, split it, repot the bits you want and shove it back in the pond. But I think I'm past that point. At the moment I'm thinking of weilding a pruning saw while they're still in the pond, just to try and get chunks I can take out! Any recommendations?

Oh - and if anyone wants any bits of water iris I'm probably going to have quite a bit going spare . Only thing is it comes with free duckweed....

 

Iris seem to be able to grow from the tiniest segment of tuber, so I can't see a problem with getting in there and hacking some lumps out. Obviously take care that you don't puncture the liner in the process...

We had masses of land-borne iris that I finally attacked with a sharp spade in a bid to curb its excesses. It still keeps cropping up in the most unexpected corners, though!

 

If you have a yellow Iris in your pond,that seems to be taking over, then that one could be "Pseudacorus".The blue one could be one of the Siberian Iris.
I wouldn't go climbing into the pond with a pruning saw.

If you can lift them out of the pond it will be easier to split them up.
If they don't pull apart,then you can saw through the rhizomes,making sure you end up with pieces that have leaves,rhizome,buds and roots.
If you are potting any on then use normal potting compost,and make sure the rhizome is above compost level.Cut off a portion of the leaves with a pair of scissors,to stop wind rock.

Disscard any old pieces of rhizome.You might want to grow on the new cuttings for a bit before putting them back into the pond,or you can give them away as bare rooted pieces without potting them up.

If the blue ones have no rhizome then they will definitely be Siberian Iris,which will just need splitting into clumps with leaves and roots.

Kandy

 

Thanks both of you for replying

Believe me, it's not my first choice - but it looks like a solid mat around 2.5m x 0.75m I'm not sure I'll have any other options. I guess I can start just breaking it up by hand - there's SOOO much there that if I kill 1/2 of it in the process it's really not a problem....

Kandy - I think they've both got rhizomes. Any idea what that would make the blue ones? When you talk about potting them up, I'm assuming you're talking back into aquatic compost in baskets - or have I got the wrong end of the stick (sadly not uncomon)?

Also (last questino, I promise), how are they likely to fare out of water? All the people I know that might be able to give bits to don't have ponds...

Thanks again