Re: Japanese Iris
- Subject: Re: Japanese Iris
- From: I*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 5 Feb 96 07:47:13 MST
Sue: To grow JI's from seed you need to trick them a little. I use a method
developed by John Coble and Bob Bauer of Ensata Gardens and reported on in
the Japanese Iris Review. I harvest the seed when the pod begins to crack in
the Fall...storm them in an envelope until Thanksgiving, then soak them in
water for 15 days in a cool place, pouring off the water and adding fresh
every day (the seeds are contained in a bag made from an old stocking and
secured with a twist tie with a label naming the cross). Anyway..after the
15 days, the water is drained off and the moist seeds in the stocking
material are placed in a ziplock bag in the veggie drawer of the fridge for
10 weeks. After THAT, I germinate the seeds before planting them by taking
the bag to a sort of warm place, like on top of the refridgerator....I check
every 2 days or so for signs of life..then plant those in 4" peat pots under
shop lights (one cool, one warm spectrum).
Kathy Guest, East Aurora, NY
