RE: Re: HYB: germination data - no chill

Linda, the seeds were planted in April when the temperature is usually 60 to
85 degrees F.  I didn't keep any records.  I planted them 1/2 to 3/4 inch
deep, and watered them every two days by hand.  I had given up on seeing any
of them when they started coming up in mid-May when it was quite hot with
temperatures in the 90s.  Eventually eleven came up but none did well.
	I like to plant mine in the ground in late November.  They have been
refrigerated about four months and some are just beginning to sprout.  They
will almost all be up by the middle of January.  Three years ago we had a
severe freeze, two nights of 22 degrees.  It really damaged all
semi-tropical vegetation here.  The newly sprouted irises weren't hurt at
all.  I had a seed blanket over them which helped, I'm sure.
	This year I planted the seeds in pots in January and had my
granddaughters transplant the 2" seedlings into the garden in March.  They
are eight to twelve inches tall now, and I lost a couple of them to the heat
last week.  I have put shade screen over them now, which I hope will stop
the die-off.  Planting directly into the ground here results in stronger
seedlings which survive the first summer better.  Mature plants can take the
heat which in full sun can reach 160 degrees F.  Most of the babies can't.

Francelle Edwards  Glendale, AZ  Zone 9


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-iris@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of Linda
Mann
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 5:44 AM
To: iris@hort.net
Subject: [iris] Re: HYB: germination data - no chill

Thanks Francelle.

Do you know (or can you guess) overnight low soil temperature at the
depth you planted the seeds?

I've always heard that air temperatures can get quite cool at night in
low humidity climates compared to ours, but have no idea how the soil
temperature might respond.  I assume the surface of the soil gets quite
hot during the day in your intense sun, but maybe it's reflective enough
to keep the seeds from heating up too much?

<Linda, I once tried planting seeds right out of the pod into the ground.  I
planted them in a circle around the mother clump.  Eleven of thirty six
seeds germinated, but none survived the hot summer.  I never tried it again,
but in a cooler climate, it might work.

Francelle Edwards  Glendale, AZ  Zone 9>

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