Re: Bloom & Sprouting

This is sort of a composite message of rejoicing, about 2 separate 
topics, so the heading is a bit screwy.  But I had to share 2 nice 
pieces of info. about the garden.
	1. This morning the first I. atroviolacea opened.  Not only the 
first this year, but the first ever for us.  We've never had an iris 
that bloomed in April before, ever!  Thanks especially to Mark Cook 
who sent the rhizomes just before moving to FL.  It has to be early 
even for this iris, but everything is ahead of schedule this spring.
	2. Over a year ago a friend in Colorado sent some seeds of I. 
missouriensis, with the comment that even experienced growers had 
trouble getting this one to germinate.  I tried at least 2 different 
methods last year without success.  As a 3rd method I put some of the 
seeds into a potting mix in a little container and stuck this in the 
refrigerator, where it stayed for many months, through the past 
winter.  I took it out in late March, put it under the growlight with 
other things I planted, gave it water and very little hope.  Now I am 
very excited that 3 of the seeds have germinated, all at different 
intervals, and one is already about 4" high, the others smaller.  I 
am thrilled to have gotten these to grow--no thanks to any superior 
knowledge on my part, I assure you--and I just hope they will live 
and bloom in the garden.  

Arnold


Arnold Koekkoek                         Home Ph. (712) 722-0724
Assoc. Prof. of History                 Off. Ph. (712) 722-6326
Dordt College                           e-mail koekkoek@dordt.edu
Sioux Center, IA 51250
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