Iris seeds

Does anyone know how to collect Iris seeds ?

Iris seeds are in the pods left after the flower dies back. It's usually pretty large, and full of seed. The pods will turn brown and papery before they are ripe.

http://iris.plantsdatabase.com/pics/Weezingreens_2002-09-10_1031644324989.jpg

Once you collect the dried seeds, when is the best time for sowing the seeds in the Chicago area, ZONE 5? And how to plant? On top of the soil or buried, and if so, how deep?

I'm also interested in saving some of my iris seeds, so I've left a few stalks standing with seed pods (c'mon, turn brown already... LOL) and thus have the same questions as larrmartin does. I tried clicking on the link you provided, Weezing, but it isn't working for me. Could you post a lil more detail so I can look it up in the PDB myself? :)

Sorry about that link... this one should work: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/53488/index.html I started my iris setosa seed by sowing them outdoors in the fall and letting them stratify in the ground. I didn't plant them very deep, as I recall. Here's a site that discusses germinating Japanese Iris, so that might be of help: http://members.rogers.com/cdn-iris/seeds.html

Thank you for both links, Weezing; very helpful! And as an aside, I just transplanted some Japanese Iris bulbs that have nice foliage but haven't bloomed for a couple of years (I'm guessing due to poor soil/location), but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll return in another year or two. :)

I have a couple Siberian Iris that I transplanted to poor soil, and with the same results. I keep meaning to move them... thanks for the reminder!

After moving I found seeds I've had for many years from the Santa Barbara Botanic garden, Iris Douglasiana Hybrids 'Pacifica', how long can these seeds last, and when should I try to sow?

I also have old seeds from : gilia tricolor, Bird's eyes, what can you tell me??

This message was edited Jul 13, 2004 4:58 PM

This message was edited Jul 13, 2004 1:24 PM

I have so so many old seeds, many are still sealed in their original foil packets from the late 80's, any hope??

There is no harm in trying, is there? This website says to soak old seed before planting... http://www.onrockgarden.com/guide/seedi1.htm

Weezingreens, thanks so much for the info!! I'll try and see what happens!

Yes, keep us posted!