Re: Germinating Iris Seeds

Greetings,

I am ambivalent about entering the discussion of seed germination
requirements since I was schooled in Art History and am, therefore, more
competent to speak to aesthetics, which I shall spare you, but I also am a
member of SIGNA (the Species Iris Group of North America, a section of the
American Iris Society), and in my small urban backyard I putter with the
simpler seeds. Since I don't have a lot of dirt to play in, I am always
interested in making my gardening as involved as possible.

Opinions differ about the work of Norman Deno, Emeritus Professor of
Chemistry at Penn State, but he has undertaken a lot of research on
germination of many genera, including irises. It is possible this has all
been discussed before on this list before I joined, and, if so, I apologize.
His self-published book and its supplement carry the statement "Every species
has some mechanism for delaying germination until after the seed has been
dispersed." I have followed his results with good success in the matter of
species iris seeds, which vary in their requirements. Some need a chill, some
need oscillating temperatures, some need light on the seeds (the swamp
species), some need the presence of decomposing organic matter releasing
gibberrellic acid, etc. Our generous Sharon has helped Deno and is more
subtle in her understanding of these matters. I simply say I have used his
methods with success. From a practical standpoint (and on any seed I don't
know about) things may be sown outside in small pots on the surface of
friable loam and left exposed to the elements, assuming  your climate has
some elements. I do fine. 

I love seeds a lot and bought thirty five packs from SIGNA  this year. 

Address all inquiries about his book, Seed Germination Theory and Practice,
to Norman C. Deno, 139 Lenor Drive, State College PA 16801,USA.

"To Plant a Seed is a Noble Deed. Propagation is Conservation" ---Deno

I hope this will help a little.

Anner Whitehead, Richmond, VA ,where it is sleeting  and grey, but  one
recalls that Matisse loved the grey days because then the colors of nature
were so luminous.
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index