HYB:Pod parents (care and feeding)

In a message dated 1/16/2006 12:32:18 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
mgreenfield@cinci.rr.com writes:

<<I have seen other post that they have had success with broken  off stalks.>>
Broken pods are not uncommon.
 
I posted this last night:
 
<<Back in 1990 we had a very wet spring.  Pods were rotting on  the  stalks.  
Slimy pods were everywhere. One pod (Orange Empire)  was on my work  bench 
for a 
long time.  Notes say I almost threw  it away.  Finally I  put the pod, which 
had disintegrated into a  pile of slime, with seed (pod green seed white) in 
a 
sieve and hosed off all  the SLIME.  Let the seed  dry.  Nine of  twenty  
five seed sprouted 
the following spring.>>
 
This particular spring (1990) was my fifth year to make  crosses. Records 
show that only 58 crosses took that year.  It just  would not quit raining. 
Toward the end of the season, I couldn't make  crosses.  When I did, I couldn't get 
them past the blossom and initial  pod rot stage.  Even with blossom, spath, 
and fan removal they were still  rotting.  In contrast, the next year 78 took 
which was more  typical for that phase of my breeding program.  
 
There were stalks with pods rowed up in the soil, in potatoes, just about  
anywhere I'd ever heard of putting them.  A dozen or more.  I'd cut  the bottom 
off the stalk when it rotted and stick it back into the  medium.  In time it 
seemed obvious it was a losing battle.   Finally, I cut the remaining stalks 
off and placed the pods on the widow sills  in my house.  They were everywhere, 
and each and every one was  viable.  
 
This particular pod (above) started rotting at the base of the pod so there  
was no stalk to save.  About 4 weeks had elapsed since  pollination.  I've not 
seen anything mature younger than that.  But  I've not tried to save anything 
younger.  Thus my question.  
 
That spring changed how I handle broken pods.  I don't worry with  sticking 
the stalks in water, potatoes, or any other medium.  I cut the  stalk off, make 
sure it's tagged and put it in a dry location and let nature  continue the 
process.  
 
Last year I had a fair number of broken pods for some reason.  Pods  seemed 
to be holding more moisture than usual, probably because of the extreme  
humidity.  I put the pods in those little lace bags I made for the deer and  put 
them on my peg board in the office.  I thought the ceiling fan kept  them a 
little drier.  Even with the humidity I managed to save them  all.  Again, there is 
one cross that may have been too young.  I won't  know until they start 
sprouting.  
 
 
 
 

 
Betty W. in  South-central KY Zone 6
Bridge In Time Iris Garden@website:
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