Re: a good germination set up

from Marty Schafer in Carlisle, MA where we have hip deep snow now with 
twelve more inches on the way

Nice to hear from you Andy.  

Here is what seed germination behaviorist Norman Deno has to say about 
sibirica seed germination.  Brackets [ ] are mine.  

I. sibirica (beardless) germination best if seed DS [dry stored] six months 
at 70 degrees F. was sown at 70 in light as shown by 70L [light] (50-60% in 
3-8 weeks) and none at 70D [dark].  [In other words he took six month old 
seeds, put them on set medium, left them uncovered in light in 70 degrees and 
they germinated in 3-8 weeks.]  Up to three prior cycles had no effect on 
either the photorequirement or rates of germination.  [He also characterizes 
sibirica, spuria, pseudacorus, and milesii as swamp irises whose seeds have 
photorequirements.  The same goes for versicolor, virginica, and LAs 
possibly.]  Seed Germination, Theory and Practice, Norman C. Deno, Prof. 
Emeritus of Chemistry, Penn State University.  (Address available if you want 
it.)  

Several years ago I tried sowing fresh and two-year old dry stored sibirian 
seeds in late August.  I left them outside uncovered, and watered them every 
day.  In four weeks both pots looked like grass.  I do not germinate seeds 
like this.  I don't have the facilities to keep them happy in winter nor the 
desire to convert them.  Instead, I put the covered seeds outside in the 
winter in 200-cell trays.  (Leave them outside uncovered in New England and 
you will kill them all .  I have tried that with extra seeds.)  In early May 
they start to come up.    Starting seeds in cells prevents transplant shock 
when the seedlings finally go in the ground in late June.  By late August 
they are husky and multi-fanned and will hopefully bloom in large numbers the 
next year.  

For what it's worth.  Marty

 

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