Re: HYB: CULT: starting iris seeds
- To: i*@egroups.com
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] HYB: CULT: starting iris seeds
- From: C*@aol.com
- Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2000 14:54:49 EDT
In a message dated 6/25/00 2:42:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
lmann@mailhub.icx.net writes:
<< Has anybody planted bearded iris seeds outdoors in vermiculite at the
'normal' planting time in the fall? (that's late November/December here)>>
Yes, I have, and while I'm a fan of vermiculite for seed starting I'm not a
fan of vermiculite outdoors when you are doing the 'leave them exposed to the
elements' bit. Simply stated, it dries out too quickly, blows around when
dry, and doesn't freeze well.
If you are starting some tectorums or sibiricas or something that will be up
in two to six weeks and don't need any stratification to begin with, then you
might try it outdoors in a little pot covered with saran, but for anything
that is going to be outside for a while I don't recommend it. Too great a
risk of the seeds drying out at some critical time after germination
commences.
For anything that I am germinating outside over the winter, and that is
basically anything that has a stratification requirement unless the seed
needing stratification is extremely valuable or scarce in which case I will
use the refrigerator, I use a standard organic mix in shallow but pretty good
sized containers, like the clear things fresh mushrooms come in with holes
poked in the bottom. I set these on the deck and upend a lattice bottomed
nursery flat over them to keep the birds out. Then I let nature take Her
course. I've basically tried most methods in general use over the years and I
think this gives me better germination and stronger plants overall.
Anner, in Virginia (USDA Zone 7)
ChatOWhitehall@aol.com
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