I'm throwing this thought process out there to see if anyone else has
1) had the issue I have, and
2) figured out a solution.

The issue is that I have 3 specific seedlings that have been blooming primarily in the fall (like 95% of the time) for the past 3 years and I want to use them to breed in the spring. Based on their parentage I believe they are all rebloomers, but because they first bloomed in the fall, and they bloom prolifically, they never have enough unbloomed rhizomes in the spring to bloom.

Here's my thought... They're dormant right now so I'm wondering if I can did them and bare-root them for some amount of time to stunt them before replanting them (in maybe late September? I'm in zone 6b). I think that if I can plant them just before the first bad weather - long enough that they'll root and make it through the winter - I may be able to reset their "clock." Any thoughts or experiene?

Hmm, I don't know enough to answer the question you've posed, but have you thought about freezing the pollen? I know many hybridizers use that method to cross irises with different bloom times.

NovaBelle said: ... have you thought about freezing the pollen?

I have. Unfortunately, there must be at least one trick (if not multiple tricks) to successfully using frozen or dried pollen. I've tried both and never had a successful cross — and I'm not just talking about these three flowers. I haven't gotten the hang of it with ANY that I've tried with frozen or dried. Thanks for the thought, though!

Immortality may not bloom the first year, but afterwards did every year in my6a garden. Reblooms for my daughter in northern Ohio. It might not if it needs dividing.

irisarian said: Immortality may not bloom the first year, but afterwards did every year in my6a garden. Reblooms for my daughter in northern Ohio. It might not if it needs dividing.

Irisarin - I think you meant to respond to the other thread about rebloomers?

Probably. However, I think everyone goes through the threads, they'll see it.

I find myself in that situation with my Rebloomers. Another option. If there is nothing around to cross to is to cross it to itself. I have not had success yet but I only tried once. Last December, Lichen had a healthy seedpod and I didn't cross it and there had been no other blooming Irises for awhile, so either the wind or some tough little bug crossed it. Sadly, we had a few hard freezes and the mysterious seedpod wasn't able to reach maturity.

Elsa, Thanks for your thoughts!
With regard to fall seed pods not being able to reach maturity due to freezing, simply cut them before they freeze and keep them in a vase inside. As long as the seed pod has reached its full size (I try to give it at least 30 days) they will mature, dry, and open in a vase. I usually keep a couple inches of water in the vase for a few weeks and then remove the water. The pods will continue to mature for several weeks without the water before they start to dry.
With regard to breeding to itself, I understand that I could do that, but I have other specific crosses that I'm interested in.