irisarian said:When we were more active, a friend & I would go over catalogs (mainly for SDBs) & decided which plants each of us would buy. then we could see both plants. they are about 3/4 of an hour away. Now that both families are in their 80s we don't zip around like that any more.

Lucy, I know what you mean. I'll be 79 in November, and I'm slowing down. DH is a bit younger, and he's taking over the heavy lifting - and digging.
I think that puttering among the irises helps to keep me limbered up, however! I caught the iris virus rather late!

The sneaky virus is always out there. Try hybridizing that will keep you going. John is 85 & does the digging, but then he doesn't have arthritis.

Lucy, I was successful with pollenizing this season, and have many dried and labeled seeds to start.
I planted a few right away in pots, just to see if I could get early starts. Nothing yet.
The rest of the seeds will go through the process described by Paul - soaking, changing the
water daily, dumping them on paper towels folded in a packet, moistened, and putting the packet
into a square of aluminum foil, labeling it, and putting it all in a sealable plastic bag and storing it into the vegetable
keeper. Then checking after 6 or 8 weeks to see if anything is germinating. Then potting some up, warming them up,etc. Transplanting
in March into individual pots, etc. Lining them out in May.
California weather may dictate some changes in the procedures, perhaps.

I think it's enough to keep me busy!

Bravo to John and his workability!

I told the guys I sat with at the MIS swap I only go because iris folk make me feel young. They got a good chuckle out of it.

Remember the seeds need a period of cold. Over winter here, of course.

Thanks for the reminder, Lucy.