seed starting, phase 3

Hello All,

Well, my first time seed-starting experiment isn't going so well.  By the 
time I completed the one month toilet tank soak (back on 2/19), I had 12 
germinated seeds of about 8 different iris types.  Within 4 days of 
removing the seeds from the toilet and rolling them in damp paper napkins 
in baggies, I had 4 more germinants of 4 more types.  Of the 16 total, 7 
broke ground with top growth.  Of those 7, only 3 look like they *might* 
be strong enough to survive.  Obviously I have a LOT to learn about 
growing irises from seed.

But I have a new question that requires a speedy response.  Now that 
temps have starting to rise above freezing during the daytime hours, I am 
getting ready to pot up all the ungerminated seeds and put them outside 
for natural cold stratification until spring.  QUESTION - Should I place 
the pots in sealed baggies to maintain constant soil moisture during the 
stratification period, or should I leave them open to the air?  QUESTION 
- Where should I place the seed pots - in an exposed area in full sun, in 
a sheltered shady spot, against the house in partial sun, in an unheated 
outbuilding, should I bury them in snow (as long as the snow lasts)?  

Thanks for your continuing help,

Laurie


-----------------
laurief@paulbunyan.net
http://www.geocities.com/lfandjg/
http://www.angelfire.com/mn3/shadowood/irisintro.html
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern MN
acidic clay soil



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