HYB: repeat - burrito seed stratification

Jim Rohrer in Inman SC asked:
<... is there a specified time you let the seed dry after ripening?,and
before soaking in the old white bowl. ...Wondering  where I'm going to
plant them all.>

I don't have in my notes how long to dry the seeds before soaking.  Last
year, I let them dry for at least a month, but that was probably more
than necessary.  I was planning to let them dry until they looked about
as dry as they get, but don't know how long that usually takes.  Can
anybody else answer that part of Jim's question?

As for where to plant them....you are on your own, just keep them out of
the yellow jacket nests <g>

None of the following is original with me - just my
compilation/interpretation of all the great advice here and in articles
in AIS & affiliate pubs:

Burrito method of seed stratification

After harvest and drying, seeds from several crosses were tied in the
toes of knee-hi nylon stockings and soaked for several weeks in the
toilet tank.  I used paper clips to clip labels to the dry ends of the
stockings hanging outside the tank.

After soaking, I put the seeds in damp sheets of paper towels, rolled
the damp towels into a “burrito“, placed each burrito of seeds in a
loosely folded baggie, and packed the baggies on end in a jar in the
fridge for 2 months.  Germination was poor after only two months, but
was excellent after 3 months, so that’s what I will use this time.

Seeds were then planted into potting soil/sand mix and placed outdoors
in a shady location in late March, keeping them well watered.  Seed
germination was good to excellent with this method, but seedlings were
not big enough to count on survival in garden rows by early June.  These
seedlings were therefore lined out in plastic window boxes in a
sand/soil/potting mix/alfalfa pellet mixture in partial shade and are
being fed liquid fertilizer and heavily watered.

Seedlings are still not big enough (early July) to safely rough it out
in the garden.  In a few more weeks, a few will probably be big enough
with some protection by teepees of leafy tree twigs and with extra
water.

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
iris-talk/Mallorn archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
iris-photos/Mallorn archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>




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