Iris Seeds

Spider · Post by **Spider** » Mar 10, 2008 7:38 pm

I found some tiny Iris' at my dentist today and one had seed pods. I got two seeds and now I need to know what to do with them.

I found one site that said they need a cold stage, then soak and plant in loose (well draining) soil. BUT, I'm in Florida, it's been below 45 twice. So, are things different for these? I can't remember the specifics of the blooms, besides being mostly white, possibly with lavender or redish color. They were about the size of my finger across. They were cute!

Any suggestions for FL sowing?

John · Post by **John** » Mar 10, 2008 8:31 pm

Do you think they were native to Florida? Iris seeds do very well when winter-sown, but that might not apply to Tampa. Hopefully someone from your area will know.

Garden_of_Mu · Post by **Garden_of_Mu** » Mar 11, 2008 8:51 am

What type of iris are they? The only irises I know of that grow in Fla are louisianas and neomarica gracilis (the 'walking iris'). Most irises need the be soaked in water that is changed often to rinse the seed coat, and often do well with a stint in the freezer, but that is for bearded and siberian types.

Spider · Post by **Spider** » Mar 11, 2008 8:12 pm

I know nothing of iris', except they're purple and pretty.

These weren't purple. They were small, as tall as my knee and comepletely open (w/out the few petals standing.) If only I had my digital camera! They were definately iris' though.

Garden_of_Mu · Post by **Garden_of_Mu** » Mar 12, 2008 8:55 am

Ooooh, a mystery! Hmmm... did they look like this?
http://www.google.com/search?q=neomaric ... =firefox-a

or maybe this?
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&c ... a=N&tab=wi

And then of course the Louisianas - the only iris native to Florida:
http://images.google.com/images?q=louis ... a=N&tab=wi

Any of those look familiar?

Spider · Post by **Spider** » Mar 12, 2008 7:42 pm

Closest to this one I think.

http://www.nzplantpics.com/pics_perenni ... flower.jpg

Garden_of_Mu · Post by **Garden_of_Mu** » Mar 14, 2008 10:21 am

Ah, Japonica. I've been wondering about this iris for years. Mine has never bloomed and I am always trying to figure out where it wants to be to be happy. It just doesn't seem to thrive anywhere I've tried. I wish I knew what its native environment was like. I know nothing about its seed handling.

John · Post by **John** » Mar 14, 2008 12:26 pm

I grew Iris japonica from seeds, which were winter-sown. Plants did very well, but never flowered. I think this one only blooms in the south, as the bloom stalk is formed at such a time (fall) as it freezes to death before spring.