Re: Germinating Iris Seed

Your problem may be growth inhibitors.  Iris really need to be soaked for 
a few weeks, changing the water daily.  I tie my seed in panty hose and 
put it in the loo tank for a few weeks.  Then soak in 10% javex mixture 
for 30 mins, rinse very well then put the wet seed in a plastic baggie 
-not sealed- and put in crisper for 14 weeks or more. Then pt them in 
bowl at room temp.  Most will start to germinate after a few days.  After 
3 days or so, cover panty hose with warm tap water -100 degrees or so -in 
a covered bowl each day. let them cool down to room temp, pour off water, 
leave at room temp and repeat daily till most are germinated.

This way you only plant germinated seeds.  Oh yes, the above are only for 
sibes and JI's.  TB's & daylilies don't get the daily warming/cooling.  
TB's germinate best at 55 degrees so if your greenhouse is hotter than 
this, that may be part of your prob.  Did you stratify your seed wet or 
dry?  Did you soak before stratifying?  
Cheers  Ginny in Prince George BC, zone 2 with bits of green iris growth 
showing through the mulch.
Al R. Krismer wrote:
> 
> Has anyone ever tried to germinate an iris variety called "Blue Lights"?
> I refrigerated the seed for four months and sowed it back in January in
> a heated greenhouse. So far no sign of any life. I tried some I. esata
> (sp) Japanese iris from seed and a few managed to geminate. Is this
> normal for iris seed to not germinate at all or germinate poorly? I
> bought the seed from a reputable commercial seed company.
> 
> Al Krismer
> Cincinnati Ohio
> 
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