% of iris seed germination

I would be interested in your observations about iris seed germination. Some of my crosses have a very high % or germination. Millenium Falcon X Morrocan Magic germinated quickly, almost 100 %. Other crosses handled exactly the same way haven't yet shown any growth or a very low percentage. Is it the genetics of the cross? If I made the same crosses again would the results be the same? What is your experience?

Some plants do have seeds which germinate more slowly. I sometimes work with crosses with I. apyhlla ancestery. they germinate over several yrs. I think it is protection for wild plants.

This might interest you in 2009 I had a table filled with about 60-70 one gallon pots and with life happening I did not empty them and left them as not as many crosses in 2010 took with our lovely weather, Well as of now about 40-50 of those pots now have growth about 4" tall yet nothing showing on 2010. True for me I planted the seeds very late about Thanksgiving so image some will show something in Feb. Rate on the 2009 is extremely high

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If this is about Bearded Iris seeds, I would say that germination depends on how long seeds were stratified and the inhibiting factor removed. Might be genes also.

Soak seeds in hand hot water overnight. Allow to cool. Seeds need to remain in the water for at least 3 weeks. Change the water out daily using a strainer to catch the seeds (so as not to lose any). No nicking is necessary. This soaking and rinsing treatment is to remove the seed germination inhibitor present in the seed or seed coat. Outdoors, the fall rains and melting snow in winter do the same thing over a 3 to 4 month period.

Sow Iris seeds in pre-moistened potting soil 1/2" deep in a container such as plastic shoe boxes (cheap in Walmart). I covered the containers and left them out all winter long on North side of my house. Iris seeds require 12 weeks of less than 40 degrees temperature to break dormancy. They will sprout during spring when temperature reaches 55 to 70 degrees. Check the box during spring and plant any that sprouted in a 2” or 3” pot. Grow them under plant lights until all danger of frost is gone in your area. Harden them off. Then place the pots outdoors to get some more growth before planting in the ground. Feed with plant food low in nitrogen, 5-10-5 is good at ½ strength. First number is nitrogen.

If you are in a hurry to get them to sprout and gain more growing time, bring the box in to room temp early spring. The seeds will soon begin to sprout at higher temperature.

I brought the box of seeds indoors in April and placed under lights. The seeds began to germinate in one week. Every seed germinated to my surprise. I have another box of Iris seeds from my crossed in a plastic shoe box this year also, as shown below.

The Iris seedlings where planted in my coldframe end of May 2010. By October 9, 2010 they were producing side shoots. See photo.

It is Buffawn x Joyce Terry cross. They will remain in the coldframe over winter and until July, incase they decide to bloom.