HYB: wheeee - germination!

Results of experiments with fresh seeds (harvested plump, not dried,
seed coats partially or completely removed):

Those that went straight into the ground have still not germinated (a
few seeds from ~a dozen crosses)

Those that were soaked for two weeks, then planted have not germinated
(a few seeds from one cross)

Those that had seed coats partially or completely removed, wrapped in
soggy paper towels, rolled burrito style, stuffed in baggies in fridge
for 2 months, then planted (two or three to a dozen seeds from a lot (30
to 40?) crosses) have started to germinate!!  They were planted outdoors
in mid September.  Only two crosses have germinated so far - HARVEST OF
MEMORIES X PINAFORE PINK & HOM X OCTOBER SPLENDOR.  Temperatures are
still above reported optima (50 to 60oF) for TB seed germination.
Daytime temps have been between 70 and 90oF, nighttime temps between 65
and 75oF.  Lots of rain (starting with ~10 inches about the time they
were planted).  Supposed to frost in a few days.

The rest of the fresh seed experiment is due to be planted next week (in
the fridge for 3 months instead of 2, which gave better, more uniform
germination last spring).

So, thanks John J, for asking about skipping the drying/soaking steps,
and thanks Mike Sutton for explaining how you guys have handled fresh
seeds.  If this works for all crosses (not just these two), it will cut
a month off seed prep time & may (depending on how things go from now
until spring) give my babies enough of a head start to get them into the
garden rows by next bloom season.  Even if it only works for some
crosses (rebloomers!), it's worth the extra trouble, especially if I can
see which (if any) might be inclined to rebloom the following year.  I
might even invest in a small, cheap refrigerator to use as a growth
chamber, for the price of a few rhizomes.  Wonder if Wally World or
Sears would trade....

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8

Tennessee Whooping Crane Walkathon:
<http://www.whoopingcranesovertn.org>
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
iris-talk/Mallorn archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
iris-photos/Mallorn archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>




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