re: HYB: removing germination inhibitors (long)

Hi Linda,

I just happened to be re-reading the genetics 
section in The World of Irises, so I looked 
this up.

Heres a summary.

If a greenhouse or area with plant lights is 
available the following steps are recommended:

*Take seed harvested by mid-August and soak.  
Running oxygenated water is recommended for 
soaking, or the water should be changed 
frequently.

*Chip the seed to expose the radicle of the 
embryo  and soak again for 48 hours
              
*Plant in pots, water, place the pot in a 
plastic bag and immediately place in 32 deg. F 
storage for 55 days.  Another similar method 
described recommends moist storage for 30 to 90 
days.  <If I recall, Linda, you reported better 
luck with 90 days.>

There are notes elsewhere in the chapter which 
recommend never allowing the seed to get below 
32 deg F.

*Transfer pots to greenhouse at 60-70 deg. F.

Germination is expected between 10 days to two 
weeks.  Transplanting is recommended when the 
seedlings reach 1-2 high.

The most critical steps for germination are: 
leaching away of the inhibitor, adequate supply 
of oxygen and favorable temperature for 
germination.  If these conditions do not remain 
favorable, the seeds may revert quickly to a 
state in which germination is blocked.  (To 
this I can definitely attest.)

From what I could read, this method uses seeds 
collected just as the pod is ripening without 
allowing the seeds to dry out.

I could play around a little bit with this, but 
I think filling the fridge with pots may be 
more than I can get away with.  As it is, they 
put up with me nearly turning the formal living 
room into a greenhouse every winter.

If anyone out there wants to experiment, the 
bees were kind enough to set many bee pods 
especially in the rebloomer beds.  I'd be happy 
to mail seeds to anyone wanting to try this 
out.  The pods will be ripening in a week or 
two.

Robin Shadlow
zone 5 NE

where I'm wondering why as soon as the weekend 
rolls around and I can get out to dig the heat 
index warnings get issued?  Guess that's what 
alarm clocks are for : )






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