Reproduction of irises by seeds: how to grow at home

Real lovers of this flower are engaged in the propagation of irises by seeds. They are attracted by the possibility of obtaining their exclusive varieties. Flowers are pollinated artificially, choosing the specimens you like. Siberian, Japanese, marsh, varietal irises are propagated by seeds. Flowering during seed propagation has to wait 2-3 years.

How do irises reproduce?

Usually summer residents resort to vegetative methods of propagation of rhizomatous and bulbous varieties of irises. Bulbous varieties (iridodictium, xifium, juno) are propagated by small bulbs. In summer, overgrown 2-3-year-old nests are dug.Large specimens after drying are stored until autumn in the refrigerator. Babies are immediately planted for rearing.

Rhizomatous varieties of irises are propagated vegetatively (buds, rhizome) and seeds. To obtain especially valuable varieties, buds are used. The washed and dried rhizome is divided into pieces. Each leaves 1 kidney and several roots.

Most often, rhizomatous irises are propagated by dividing the bush. Do it in autumn or spring.

3-4-year-old bushes are planted. They are dug with a shovel or pitchfork. Young 1-2-year-old underground shoots are selected for reproduction. There should be several buds on the delenka, a fan of leaves (5-7 pieces). The tops of the leaves are cut off, leaving 10-15 cm.

The seed method of propagation is used by flower growers engaged in selection. Collect mature seeds immediately after flowering. They are large, formed in trihedral fruits-boxes. They are sown in open ground in late autumn or spring.They practice growing seedlings of irises from seeds at home.

How to grow irises from seeds?

Seeds propagate varietal irises. At the same time, the preservation of parent view characteristics is not guaranteed. This is due to the fact that varieties are obtained by hybridization using different species and, in addition, flowers can be cross-pollinated by other varieties of irises growing nearby.

Selection and preparation of planting material

Mature iris seeds are large, light brown. They are formed in fruits - three-celled boxes. The fruit is formed after the irises fade. It takes 2-2.5 months for the seeds to ripen. On those bushes that they decided to propagate by seeds, the baskets are left, all the rest are cut off.

When seeds ripen, the fruit splits open. Gardeners put small gauze (tulle) bags on the boxes so that the seeds do not spill out onto the ground. Dry boxes need to be cut, broken, pour the seeds into prepared bags. Store in a dark, cool and dry place.

Growing dates

Autumn planting takes the least time. Only the current year's seeds are used, last year's seeds are not suitable, because the germination rate is low. You can sow at any time in autumn. In those regions where there is little snow cover, the ridge for the winter needs to be covered with leaves, straw or covering material.

In spring, iris seeds are planted in the ground when the soil warms up to 10-15 °C. Before that, they are stratified. At home, you can grow seedlings. In this case, stratified iris seeds should be sown in February, and with the onset of warm May days, the seedlings should be transplanted into the garden.

Selecting and preparing a landing site

Flower culture prefers neutral and slightly alkaline soils, loves light, but can grow in light partial shade. Preference should be given to elevated places, protected from the wind. Irises are suitable garden soil, cleared of weeds. When digging, they contribute:

• into sandy soil clay, peat, humus;
• in peat soil dolomite flour;
• in clay soil river sand, peat, humus.

Sowing seedlings

In autumn the seeds are sown dry. Do not water the soil after planting. The seeds are deepened by 2 cm. They are planted in rows located at a distance of 25 cm from each other. Planting step 10 cm. The ridge for the winter is covered with 2 layers of lutrasil. During spring planting, the earth is watered, the seeds are laid out in furrows when it settles.

Further care

Sprouts appear in spring. Caring for them is easy. It is necessary to regularly remove weeds and loosen the soil shallowly. Pulled weeds can be left in the aisles. They will protect the soil from drying out. Seedlings should be watered in the morning before 11 o'clock. Water should not fall on the leaves. Before transplanting to a permanent place, seedlings can be fed with complex fertilizer "Kemira Lux" or "Kemira Universal".From pests, the soil after watering is sprinkled with sifted ash.

Transfer to a permanent place

A site is prepared a week before transplanting irises. The soil is dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm, 8-10 kg of humus, 2 tbsp. l. superphosphate, 2 tbsp. ash. If the acidity is high, add dolomite flour.

You can plant seedlings in a permanent place after the appearance of the 3rd leaf. The bushes are dug up with a clod of earth, planted in prepared holes. Fitting patterns apply:

• 60 cm step for tall varieties;
• 40 cm for medium height in mixborders;
• 25 cm for dwarf irises.

Nuances of caring for a plant in the open field

Care for adult specimens is minimal. Hobbyists grow 100 of them in their gardens. With the right choice of location and planting, the perennial blooms profusely and annually.

Irrigation and fertilization

In the absence of rain, moisturize once a week. Swamp varieties like abundant and more frequent watering. They can grow in water. Organics in the form of fresh manure cannot be used as fertilizers. For a perennial per season, 3 top dressings with any complex fertilizer for flowering plants are enough.

Cutting

Flowering starts in spring. With a large number of varieties, it continues until mid-summer. Maintain the decorativeness of the flower garden by pruning faded flower stalks. Cut them off at the level of the leaves. Yellow leaves are carved near the ground.

Preparing for winter

The leaves are cut at a height of 15 cm from the ground, a fan of leaves is obtained. The soil is sprinkled with ash and covered with leaves or spruce branches. Organic mulch is a good substitute for any store-bought covering material.

Features of growing at home

Iris seeds have a rough shell. So that the sprout can break through it, stratification is carried out:

• take a disposable plastic container with a lid and a piece of cloth (gauze);
• the fabric is moistened, seeds are wrapped in it, put in a container;
• put the container in the refrigerator for 2 months;
• moisturize the fabric occasionally.

In February, stratified iris seeds are sown for seedlings. Planted in a common container 15-20 cm high or in separate cups. Germinate in fertile garden soil or a mixture of peat and sand. Some gardeners germinate the seeds in an orchid substrate. Seeds are deepened by 1.5-2 cm. Shoots appear in a week.

In spring, the days are short, so cups with iris seedlings are placed under the lamp, highlighting the seedlings in the morning and evening.The soil is moistened in moderation. Irises do not like waterlogging. Before transplanting into the ground, seedlings are fed with complex fertilizer. In May-June, seedlings can be planted in open ground.

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