Question for our iris experts - a few of the Tempo Two rhizomes I received this year that have been blooming (in pots) have now got bee pods starting. Should I remove the stalks to let them concentrate on growing increases, or let the pods develop? My instinct is the former, but I don't really know.

I'm no expert, but looking at my own irises, I can see that the ones with pods on them have grown very few increases, if any at all, compared to those in the same locations without pods. So I would trust your instinct on this, but I'm sure there are others here with more experience than me, who can chime in.

Will be interesting to hear the opinion of the 'iris experts' Mika but I agree with Lili and think you instinct is right. I don't let new roses set hips either because I feel their energy should be directed towards growing and not producing seed.

This is my first season at attempting to hybridize iris. I only used my established iris 'Tatiana' as the pod parent. Quite a few takes but the pods are taking forever to ripen. I am still undecided about whether or not to sow directly or stratify in the fridge. Actually, also with my roses seeds. We are going to be away for a couple of weeks next April so if I germinate indoors I am going to have to find somebody to babysit - our daughter? - she'll probably won't be thrilled

I'm not an expert -- but if they were mine, I'd be more interested in letting the plant spend its energy on developing a strong root system and growing daughters, than setting a seed pod. Blooming takes a lot of strength out of a plant. Growing and maintaining a seed pod in addition to that could tip the mother rhizome over into withering away.

I might take the chance with at cross I really wanted to make, but not with a bee pod, I think...

OK, off with their heads it is!!! Thanks, guys.

How very British of you!

Indeed.

I agree; "Off with their heads!" They just rob the mother the energy to produce and plump the increases; and all for a cross you did not make.

Greg! Was hoping for someone with more experience to comment on this too.

Yes, many thanks, Greg. The deed is done...

Good thing Greg agreed with the rest of us then!

Most of my bee pods end up being empty pods, and they still seem to take up a lot of energy away from the rhizome.

cliftoncat said:
Gabe, think about whether you should get a slightly bigger greenhouse - we bought a smallish one and I've regretted it so many times; there's never enough space! Potting up, cuttings, etc., bench, 'tlc' corner, greenhouse tomatoes, all the things that are either too tender to leave out over winter or that grow better with a bit of extra warmth... Just a thought.

Don't know if I'll move to a different house or not. It's not worth the $$$ to disasemble a bigger one. I would go bigger if I grow my oriental, la, asiatic lilies and other early spring bulbs. That's for another forum I guess..

Hello all,
This year is my first for hybridizing irises. I read somewhere that bee pods or the self-pollinations are pretty rare because internally the stigma is well protected from the stamen. Well, as usual with my luck, this summer I got something like 15 bee pods and 4 planned crosses. I think my clumsy hands in my novice attempts to take out the stamens had to do with that.
My question is after having bagged the seeds from the pods and dried them for a few weeks now, should I consider planting them outside in the fall or go by the potting route that seems to be a hit with you guys. From what I've read about the known hybridizers, they tend to plant them in the ground as potting may have pitfalls and is labor intensive. I don't mind the labor part. I was set to do ground planting but after reading your comments, I'm now thinking potting may be the way to go.
My garden is at the middle of Delaware, zone 7a. Fairly cold winters and hot summers!

Well you won't get a bloom in 2017 even if you potted now. I believe most on this thread had a better germination rate bagging in the winter and upon roots starting, then they potted them. Like Brad said earlier on, he greenhouse them to get a quicker jump on growth. I think he lives in BFE(Iowa or Nebraska) where it's even colder. Good luck on however you do it. Keep us posted

A good experiment would be to do some both ways. Split your crosses half and half and plant half outside, and half in pots and see what the outcome is for you. I'd be interested in knowing the outcome. You could compare germination rates and time to first bloom and see which is better for you. Then you could write it up into a nice article for all to learn from.

Great suggestion Tom! Then my daughter will only have to babysit half the amount of seeds while we are away

In my experiment I made planned crosses, gathered the drying seed,, refrigerated the seed in moist paper towel,., potted in January and placed in sunny windows and under lights. I am admittedly obsessive and potted in individual pots as they grew. When I planted them out in May many were several inches tall and some were showing increase. I pushed with water and fertilizer all summer. I got nearly 100 per cent the next spring. It can be done.....Depends on you.
June 2011


June 2011


here is proof of the pudding.......Spring 2012








Seedling



Seedling


Seedling

I was thinking the same thing and probably will go halfsies this year.