I wouldn't. They rot so easily. Just plant them with the top of the rhizome exposed to the sun and soak really well, so that the whole rhizome is in moist soil, then don't water it much at all, maybe once at week at most if it is really dried out.
Renee

Thanks Renee.

I have a question about iris. Does tall bearded iris ever deviate from its original color after planted. I've been told it can. Thank you all for the help. Dea

Nope. That's one of the FAQ answered up on the Iris Forum home page.

What happens is that 1) A strong iris takes over the bed and weaker ones die, leaving one color, or 2) a small rhizome of a different color was mixed in and finally grew up and bloomed, or 3)a bee fertilized iris, crossed with a different color, went to seed and the baby irises are now blooming.

Renee