Today I removed an overcrowded area of Irises that were no longer blooming this year. So after dividing the rhizomes and removing any rotting or pest ridden sections, and cutting back the leaves. How long can I keep them exposed before replanting them? I need time to clean up the planting bed and add compost before replanting. Which could be a few days with my work schedule.

Keep them in a cool place , out of the sun, cb.

If it's going to be more than a few days I'd also lay them out in a single layer and cover them with a damp burlap bag. But others may differ.

If I know before hand that I'll be delayed with my transplants , I bag them inside a plastic bag, in a cool dark place. I first remove all the larger leaves and just the tip shoots stay. I moisten it once in a while, just to keep the rhyzomes hydrated.In this way I've been able to keep them in good shape three or four weeks! If this is done in the fall that time can be quite long. But imo, TBI's divide much better during the growing season, allowing the rhyzomes to set out new roots before the cold hits.
arturo

I've had mine out of the ground for 2 or 3 weeks with no problems. I just put them in a paper bag in a dark cool place.

The Australian Iris Society website says that they can be left out of the ground for a few months if stored in a cool spot.
http://www.irises.org.au/faq.h...