Re: Iris from seed

Dear Cali,


I never sow iris seeds, but I can try to answer your questions :

- How do I know the seed is ripe for sowing? : As for many seeds, wait to see the pod beginning to open. You 'll be able to see inside the red-brown seeds appearing. At this time, cut the pod and put the seeds pods in paper envelopes in a ventilated room in order to let them dry till sowing time (around late september). After some weeks, the pods will be large opened liberating the seeds inside. These seeds will become wrinkled.

- Should I refrigerate the seeds before sowing? If so, for how long? : No there is no need to refrigerate the seeds. The only thing to do is to rehydrate them. Put them in rain water during 7-10 days, changing the water every day to get rid of the inhibitory stuff. After sowing in pots, let them outside, water regularly and wait for the germination (appearing in spring). They need some cold to germinate but it is better to let nature doing it.

If you want to have a look on this web site, but it is in french, the information is reliable as it is the french society for bulbs and irises : www.iris-bulbeuses.org


Chantal Guiraud
MGS Seed Coordinator



Le 5 juin 10 à 11:12, Cali Doxiadis a écrit :

This year (unusually) many of my bearded irises have large healthy looking seed pods. I'd like to try propagating from seed. Two questions: 1. How do I know the seed is ripe for sowing? Should I wait for the pods to dry out and/or burst open? 2. Should I refrigerate the seeds before sowing? If so, for how long?
Thank you
Cali, in Corfu, Greece.

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