Re: Re:HYB: germination data-terms

<<Typically I see seeds germinate over several weeks. That is between
first seed and last seed that germinates in a tray there is usually a
week or two.>>

In my gardens, in KY, zone 6, I've noticed that all seedlings,
regardless of genetics, sprout over a period of one month. This drew my
attention years ago, and I've made notes of first sprout in all pots.

If I see the first sprout on March 15, there will be no first sprouts
after April 15. Or if the first sprout doesn't show until April 1, then
May 1 is the final date. Most of the sprouts appear approximately 10
days after the first sprout, depending on the weather.

For years I did count seedlings periodically and I'm of the impression
that no seeds typically sprout outside this perimeter, BUT I admit that
I tend to quit counting (and making notes) as the season gets busier.
I've had the occasional summer or fall sprout, but they are definitely
rare over 20+ years. I've made no notes as to the weather conditions at
the time.

I plant outdoors in pots. Like Mike, in the years when I placed the
pots in trenches, the germination was higher, often close to 100%. In
addition to the temperature regulation, I theorized that the pots
stayed more moist which aided in germination. I can no longer dig the
trenches. Placing mulch over the pots aids in regulating both of these
conditions. The tannic acid in oak leaves may help wi
th the leaching of
inhibitors, too. (not a chemist so this is a guess.) The main purpose
of the mulch cover is to regulate the beating effect of the rain.

In recent years, I"ve tried to place my pots where they get half a day
of shade, in hopes of slowing down germination by keeping the soil
cooler and limiting the drying of the pots. I place them on several
layers of black plastic. Water tends to pond on the plastic.

For those that want to go with mother nature but don't choose to brave
the archives.

Betty W.
Bridge In Time Irises
KY Zone 6




-----Original Message-----
From: irischapman@aim.com
To: iris@hort.net
Sent: Mon, Jun 22, 2009 9:39 pm
Subject: [iris] Re:HYB: germination data-terms


Could you provide some info on when your seeds germinate. You say less
then a month, so does that mean you see first seedling at the end of
April, or that all seeds have germinated at that time? Personn ally I
would have expected late May.B B Typically I see seeds germinate over several weeks. That is between 
first seed and last seed that germinates in a tray there is usually a
week or two.B B Freezing seeds doesn't seem to do anything to help seeds germinate. The 
cumulated hours of chilling does. I'm sure this varies from seeds to
seeds. I have had some seeds germinate within a week of going into
fridge for chilling , in damp peat moss after goi
ng through soaking and
rinsing for 5-7 days. Chilling temeratures are typically between 0-12C,
with apparent best temp between 3-10C . Same results for
"stratification" of seeds as for 'Vernalization" of plants. Lots of
research on this.B B There appears to be photoperiod dormant iris plants and cold period 
dornmant iris plants. Seeds from these two types may very well have
different tempature chilling requirements.B B Chuck ChapmanB B Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:09:26 -0400B From: "Mike Greenfield" <mgreenfield@cinci.rr.com>B Subject: Re: [iris] HYB: germination data-termsB B The germination of a seed and the plant that results is the only thing thatB really matters. A seed that tried to germinate and failed is what it is, aB failure. It only tried.B B My goal is to germinate seedlings, not collect data of no use. For the lastB few years I have been burying my pots in the ground. This has giving me lotsB better averages. I believe the pots above ground had seeds try to germinateB early and were frozen. The ground kept the temperatures from varying asB much. I found may seeds that were mushy.B B The point I tried to make about the ones planted in late March was they hadB less than a month to chill.B B A couple years ago I froze a bunch of seeds for 3 months and planted inB March. They did not germinate=2 
0very well, less than 10%. The next year
theyB did a lot better. Now I get enough I don't save any of the pots for a secondB year.B B ( A few stalwart souls who are planting their seeds directly outside) MyB guess is about 95% of the hybredizers.B B Mike GreenfieldB B ---------------------------------------------------------------------B To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with theB message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRISB B 
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