I've gotten some Siberian Iris seeds and I'd like to know what the easiest way to get these to germinate is.

I wrapped mine in wet paper towel and plastic bagged them for 2 months in the fridge. Then I planted them in a small flower pot in the house. They are about 9 inches tall. I will put them out in a partially shady spot this June and move them to a sunnier spot when they have good roots.

Thanks Linnea, I wonder if it matters when I bag and refrigerate them? I'd like to get some started as soon as possible. Did you close the baggie all the way or leave it open for air? Were there already roots forming when you took them out?

Welcome Chris!! I don't grow Siberians but it sounds like Linnea has the experience to help you.

I don't think I've seen you here before! I'm glad you stopped by!

Welcome, Chris.

I closed the bag so the seeds stay damp. Mine didn't sprout in the bag. When I planted them, I used Happy Frog Potting Soil mixed with vermiculite. If you are going to leave them in the pot, use a bigger one. You can also plant them outside if you have enough warm season left. I would keep them out of too much sun and drying until they mature.

If the seeds are from this year, let them dry out before bagging.

all iris seeds need cold to germinate.

I have had excellent results in my northern climate with winter sowing outdoors. I put them in a pot with seed starting mix, pot has drainage hole on the bottom, cover with plastic and small hole in the plastic then set them outside for the winter. In the spring they come up beautifully. I just monitor them for moisture and to make sure the mini greenhouse affect does not cook them with the spring sunlight and warmth.

Welcome freezengirl! Looks like you picked a very appropriate name! I don't think I've seen you here before.

Chris and Freezengirl, hope both of you enjoy the Iris forum.

@freezengirl

Hi! Happy to see you over here.
{{waving}}

.... and stay awhile.

Thanks Marilyn, I've been on ATP for awhile just didn't have a need to stop by this forum until I found my Siberian Iris seeds.

Thanks everyone for all the welcomes and help on getting them going. Since where I live in Texas we don't have enough seriously cold days to do any winter sowing I'll have to go with putting these in the fridge for a couple of months. I know the few seeds I have are not very new but I ordered some from eBay last night that are supposed to be from last year. So basically all I need to do at any time is wrap them in a damp paper towel, put in a plastic baggie and place in the fridge for a couple of months keeping the paper towel damp. I understand this removes the germination inhibitor from the seed? After the 2 months I'll place them in my 2"x2" 1020 tray inserts and cover with the dome. Does that all sound about right? Do these need to go into a couple different sized pots before going into the ground like some of my plants or can they go from the inserts directly to the ground? Sorry for all the questions but my wife saw these and found out I had some seeds and really wants me to give them a try.

Thank you all for the warm welcome.
@Chris1948- I should think that your plan would work just fine. The only thing that would concern me is the size of the tray pot you put them in. Because of the intense heat you get in the summers there I would put each seedling in an individual 3-4 inch pot to start them out. Siberian Iris like moisture so I would err on the side of more soil to hold in moisture for each seedling. I would also be careful about keeping them out of the direct sun during the heat of the day, maybe on the east side of a building?

Great idea Freezengirl, I've got a bunch of small nursery pots, I hoard those. I could put them on the east side of one of my greenhouses. One sits under a tree that has it in the shade most of the day which should work. Sterile seed starting mix with some perlite would be ok for starting these won't is? Then as they grow move to potting mix.