HYB: belated planting

I feel guilty and ashamed to admit that I finally potted up last year's seeds.
They had been waiting patiently in the refrigerator (I tried the soak and
chill method for the second year).  I shoulda' just potted 'em up in the fall
instead of going to so much trouble.  All this rain would have been fine to
get them going.  For comparison, I planted five late crosses in dried-seed
form.   I've been delayed by problems with my hands and feet this year that
have limited my yardwork.

Since I had a lot of leftover topsoil, I filled up 5-gallon pots halfway with
good topsoil, then topped them off with planter mix blended with a small
amount of topsoil, spreading the seeds in a layer about 1/2 to 3/4" below the
surface.  Watered them all in good, and left them out.  This year, we seem to
be having great germination weather:  alternating periods of rainy days and
warm sunny days.  The iris that don't rot should have a great bloom season.
All my seedlings from previous years are growing so fast I can't wait to see
them.  One from last year is in a 2" deep tray, and is 18" tall with 5
increases.  Of course, that will be the ugly one.  Next year I'll be able to
see what kind of parents Laugh Lines and Double Dribble are.  If I can get
moving a little quicker (clearing some space to line them out), some Louisa's
Song and Painted From Memory seedlings may also be ready to bloom from the
seeds I just planted.

John Reeds
lamegardener@msn.com

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