Starting Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris) seeds...

Hi seed starters!

I'm looking for guidance starting Iris tectorum seeds. Been considering Winter Sowing them and wondering if thats a good idea.

I started this thread in the Iris forum and haven't gotten any response, so hoping someone over here can help :-)

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/943800/

Thanks for any tips,
Neal

Neal -
Just saw your question. I started I. tectorum a long time ago. They don't require stratification or heat mats - nothing special BUT they do need light to germinate at room temperature. I had germination approximately two weeks after sowing. Hope this helps. Norman Deno says basically the same thing.

I have I. Tectorum sown for a little over a week now. I put 'em on heat and a very light
coating of milled sphagnum peat moss. I have a germination database from ORGS
and they suggest 4wks prechill. I'll put 'em in the refrigerator if they don't germinate in
8wks or so.

The link to their site is as follows. As of a couple years ago, they told me it wasn't being
updated so I got a CD from them.

http://www.onrockgarden.com/guide/seedguide.htm

Ta,

I just checked ORGS site - it says their seed germination guide was JUST updated!

Thanks Cindy and Tammy! From what I'm reading, they're pretty easy to start. I did go ahead and wintersow them, and from the info in the above link that sounds like it should work well. I will pay attention to the outside temps after they germinate though, sounds like cold snaps after that could be a problem. In that case I'll either keep the container in a little zipper greenhouse or bring it into the plant room.

Gemini_sage -
Good luck with your germination. Your post reminds me that I need to try I. tectorum again. I moved mine around too much and it succumbed to abuse and too much shade on my part.
Tammy -
Nice link! Definitely worth a "bookmark". I would have let "rock garden" prevent me from checking it out.