Re: HYB:seedlings

In a message dated 3/23/2005 5:11:31 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
adambo_iris@yahoo.com writes:


So,  you're saying that last year you only had 3 seedlings sprout from 2  
pots. 


Adam, there were 52 seed, placed in 2 mum pots.  I usually place  the seed in 
the center of the pots.  I was disappointed when only 3  sprouted last year, 
but happy when two of the three put up fall stalks!  I  always hold the pots 
over a second year.  Years ago, I tried dumping the  pots at the end of the 
seedling rows but didn't really find that  satisfactory. I'd rather make an extra 
marker and find parking space for  the pots.  I missed a couple of pots last 
year and still have a handful of  seedlings left to plant from 2002.  Some of 
these bloomed in the fall so  I'm going to donate a little more space to the 
cause.  
 
A rough count is 18 new seedlings, pretty much divided between the two  pots. 
 Hoping for more later in the month but I'm not counting on it since  the 18 
popped up within 48 hours.   I'm a little surprised they  were so early and 
then little else has sprouted.  It rained all  morning which was good for the 
seedlings.  But then it was cloudy and  dreary all afternoon.  My check on pots 
was cut a bit short due to  heavy and bitter winds. It was about 45 degrees 
but felt much  colder.  
 
It's been a strange winter here.  It's not been the best or the  worst.  In 
the past, we've had winters with -40 and winters where it barely  got below 
freezing.  Most winters are a roller coaster between the  two.  Our worst spell 
this year was during the Christmas holidays with snow  and bitter cold for 
about 10 days.  We've had a lot of nights below  freezing but it's been 
intermittent.  
 
Earlier in the winter, I went through a lot of my old record books and  found 
that first year germination has been about the same with little regard to  
temperatures.  My best germination was one of the years when I set the pots  in 
a trench and covered the pots with leaves.  One thing I do is wet the  pots 
down for several days when they are first planted. Unless there is a  good rainy 
spell.  I do try to take advantage of Mother Nature when  possible.  
 
If you plant a lot of seed, (from a given cross) you can make up for the  
lower germination rate that is customary on some types.  I planted 92  seedlings 
from 1812 last year, have half a dozen year old plants still in the  pots, and 
could have another 100 second year seedlings! And I'll plant them  all!  
 
I am anxious for the 2004 crop to start sprouting.  
 
Betty W. in  South-central KY Zone 6
Bridge In Time Iris Garden@website:
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