Iris germination in fall

Good morning - Just getting caught up on my mail.  I plant bearded iris seed 
in styro packing boxes with holes poked in them to provide good drainage.  
Since they are quite deep, it allows for adequate root development.  Also I 
suspect the styro provides a little insulation.  I plant the seeds on Thanksgiving 
Day and never get germination before late February.  If there is a cold snap, 
I give them a blanket of leaves which can be easily removed.  There receive no 
other attention or coddling and I get about 40% germination, which is usually 
way too much to handle anyway.  I have had fall germination of seeds from a 
previous year and since I don't know whose their mama or papa, I don't protect 
them and have never lost one.  This year I planted some LA seed for the first 
time.  I planted them late last summer and to tell the truth, forgot all about 
it.  About November I noticed iris seeds sprouting in a styro box and 
thought, "What the heck?" until I remembered what I had done (I have got to start 
documenting and labeling EVERYTHING).  They have done quite well through some 
below 20 nights and below freezing days.
Barbara Null
Tyler, TX  7b/8a

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