Q: I have a peace lily from my grandfather's funeral. It is the only houseplant that I have ever been able to get to grow. It is currently in a 10" pot and is really too big for that. Should I risk dividing it? If so, how should I do it? A: You should be able to divide it without hurting the plant. It's ready to be divided when there's no more room around it in the pot -- you'll see the individual plants that have formed. Divide in the spring by carefully breaking them apart and repotting each individually. Since these are such thirsty plants, try repotting them in a moisture-retaining soil to which you have added hydropolymer crystals, which help the soil retain moisture..
Q: When is the best time to move irises?
A: The best time to move irises is after they finish blooming, anywhere from June to October. Dig up each iris and find where it has divided, and then just clip them apart.
Q: What should I look for in a good set of garden pruners?
A: That depends on how you treat them -- if you leave them outside, just buy the cheapest ones available! Otherwise, I suggest a pair of bypass pruners, which work just like scissors and make a clean cut. Anvil pruners, on the other hand, are good for deadheading, as they will crush a stem and shouldn't be used for pruning. If you have to do a lot of pruning, you may want to invest in a pair of bypass pruners with ergonomic handles.
