HYB: CULT: On Delayed Germination

In a message dated 12/20/2006 7:08:55 AM Eastern Standard Time,  
lmann@lock-net.com writes:

Betty, this sounds as though seeds produced in our climate might have  
delayed germination, but seeds produced from the same cross in a more  hospitable 
climate might not. 
 
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I once tried to shop the general idea that seeds from individual  plants 
within an Iris species might differ in their germination  requirements based on 
the environment in which the seed source plant was grown.  The highly adaptable 
Iris missouriensis was under discussion, as I recall. I got  no takers, 
possibly because the matter was obvious. Certainly it seems patent to  me that if a 
plant has germination requirements which have developed  to ensure survival of 
the seed, and hence the species, then adaptation to  environment is the crux 
of the matter, and who knows, really, how many  generations it might take to 
adapt? Or perhaps there are discrete sets of  requirements programed in for 
various conditions? But you are not talking  about natural irises....
 
With species, it is entirely to be expected that the seeds  from one pod will 
differ in how much delay is programmed into each. The  spread ensures that if 
something happens to the first wave of germinants,  or the second, there will 
be backups. Linda knows all this but perhaps someone  else here may not have 
thought about it, so I just mention it. Again, note that  I am not talking 
about closely bred hybrid TB seeds, which, to judge from the  behavior of some of 
their parents, may or may not have much in  the way of survival instincts and 
mechanisms. Perhaps that is the essence of the  matter. 
 
Many sorts of sibling seeds will germinate to a bell curve; however,  in 
Irises, I have seen far less of this in those species seeds which do not  require 
a period of cold to germinate--which is to say tectorum and  the swamp 
species, all copious seed setters, and most of which require light to  germinate. 
Deno's experiment with hybrid "germanica" seeds lead him to suggest  they likely 
had many various light requirements for germination,  so, if something won't 
come up, uncover the seed.
 
And yes, Linda, among the various species I have grown, bearded,  beardless, 
and other, I have noticed that within a group of seeds of a  given species, 
but not necessarily known to be siblings--read SIGNA  seeds-- the first seedling 
that germinates sometimes tends to be  weakest. It sticks in the mind because 
the experience of watching one  pop up smartly, then peter out, is so 
demoralizing.
 
Cordially,
 
Anner Whitehead
Richmond VA USA, Zone 7

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