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About the plant What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.
The plant
Habit Herbaceous Perennial, Perennial Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Height 1-4 ft 0.3-1.2 m Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread 1-2 ft 30-60 cm Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower Black, Blue, Cream/Tan, Gold/Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated, White Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms Summer Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range NW. Balkan Pen. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy Growing conditions
Sun Full sun; Partial Shade Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry, Very Dry Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.
Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
Worth knowing The bearded iris is of hybrid origin. In Iran and Kashmir it is commonly grown in Muslim burial places, and it has often been painted, among others by Vincent van Gogh in 1890. Wikipedia: Iris × germanica Two sources report 5 treatments between them. All are shown.
Protocol 1 N. C. Deno, 1996 Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.
1 Sow and cover
Temperature: 70°F 21°C
No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.
20% germination.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Iris p. 50Public domain Show the original text Iris (Iridaceae). The Aril Iris including Juno have been one of the most difficult groups to germinate. Section VI is devoted to this problem. Alternating cycles means alternating between 3 m at 40 and 3 m at 70 (just a reminder). I. trojana germ. 70(1/5). A 2nd seed germ. at 40 after 4 y of alternating cycles. Both seedlings were vigorous. Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Iris p. 50. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list. Protocol 2 N. C. Deno, 1993 Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.
1 Sow outdoors and leave it
Up in April.
No stated waiting before sowing.
78% germination.
This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Iris p. 156Public domain Show the original text Iris (Iridaceae). This genus gave -not only great diversity in germination behavior but also some of the most extended multicycle germination observed. Germination is always hypogeal, and true leaves develop in 'a week or two once the radicle emerges even when germination was delayed for years. Empty seed coats and deformed seeds are relatively easy to recognize so that seed counts and percent germination are accurate. A major problem is how to stimulate the germination of Oncocyclus and Regelia Iris since they have such extended natural germinations. Panayoti Kelaidis of the Denver Botanical Garden has iritorrmed me that Fritz Kummert In Austria, Frank Norris in Tennessee (USA), and David Shahak in Israel are growing Oncocyclus Iris from seed in large numbers. Panayoti said that there are reports that germination was much improved by rinsing the seed in dilute Chlorox (aqueous NaOCI) and rubbing off the seed coats after which the seeds germ. readily at 40. There are also reports that gibberelic acid and other chemicals stimulate germination. Data is needed using scientific procedures. A recent book, "The Iris" by B. Mathew, is devoted to this genus. Mathew divides the genus into six subgenera with further division into sections and series. His arrangement is used only in part. The species are arranged in alphabetical order for convenience with subgenus or section indicated in parentheses using the abbreviations B (bearded), Bx (beardless), E (Evansia), 'N (Nepalensis), .0 (Oncocyclus), P (Pardanthopsis), A (Regelia), At (Aeticulata), and X (Xiphium). I. germanica (B) germ. best when fresh seed or seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40 was sown at 40. Typical data are 40(31% in 7-12 w)-70(31% in 1-6 d)-40(2%)-70(2%). It is possible that many of the seeds that germ. in the 2nd cycle at 70 would have germ. in the first cycle at 40 if this cycle had been extended beyond 3 m. Germination was usually reduced in fresh or DS seed if the seed was sown at 70. Typical data were 70- 40(0-25%), although light seemed to have some effect as shown by 70L(1 0%)- 49(60%). Outdoor treatment germ. 78% in April. It is probable that the samples were hybrids and that germination behavior will vary, particularly the response to light. Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Iris p. 156. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list. Protocol 3 N. C. Deno, 1993 Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.
1 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C · Light: light
2 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 49°F 9°C
about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.
60% germination.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Iris p. 156Public domain Show the original text Iris (Iridaceae). This genus gave -not only great diversity in germination behavior but also some of the most extended multicycle germination observed. Germination is always hypogeal, and true leaves develop in 'a week or two once the radicle emerges even when germination was delayed for years. Empty seed coats and deformed seeds are relatively easy to recognize so that seed counts and percent germination are accurate. A major problem is how to stimulate the germination of Oncocyclus and Regelia Iris since they have such extended natural germinations. Panayoti Kelaidis of the Denver Botanical Garden has iritorrmed me that Fritz Kummert In Austria, Frank Norris in Tennessee (USA), and David Shahak in Israel are growing Oncocyclus Iris from seed in large numbers. Panayoti said that there are reports that germination was much improved by rinsing the seed in dilute Chlorox (aqueous NaOCI) and rubbing off the seed coats after which the seeds germ. readily at 40. There are also reports that gibberelic acid and other chemicals stimulate germination. Data is needed using scientific procedures. A recent book, "The Iris" by B. Mathew, is devoted to this genus. Mathew divides the genus into six subgenera with further division into sections and series. His arrangement is used only in part. The species are arranged in alphabetical order for convenience with subgenus or section indicated in parentheses using the abbreviations B (bearded), Bx (beardless), E (Evansia), 'N (Nepalensis), .0 (Oncocyclus), P (Pardanthopsis), A (Regelia), At (Aeticulata), and X (Xiphium). I. germanica (B) germ. best when fresh seed or seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40 was sown at 40. Typical data are 40(31% in 7-12 w)-70(31% in 1-6 d)-40(2%)-70(2%). It is possible that many of the seeds that germ. in the 2nd cycle at 70 would have germ. in the first cycle at 40 if this cycle had been extended beyond 3 m. Germination was usually reduced in fresh or DS seed if the seed was sown at 70. Typical data were 70- 40(0-25%), although light seemed to have some effect as shown by 70L(1 0%)- 49(60%). Outdoor treatment germ. 78% in April. It is probable that the samples were hybrids and that germination behavior will vary, particularly the response to light. Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Iris p. 156. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list. Protocol 4 N. C. Deno, 1993 Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.
Start around January 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.
1 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
2 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
31 germinated in this phase.
3 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
2 germinated in this phase.
4 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
2 germinated in this phase.
Steps after step 1 run on after germination.
Germination happens during step 1, in 84 days.
31% germination in 49–84 days.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Iris p. 156Public domain Show the original text Iris (Iridaceae). This genus gave -not only great diversity in germination behavior but also some of the most extended multicycle germination observed. Germination is always hypogeal, and true leaves develop in 'a week or two once the radicle emerges even when germination was delayed for years. Empty seed coats and deformed seeds are relatively easy to recognize so that seed counts and percent germination are accurate. A major problem is how to stimulate the germination of Oncocyclus and Regelia Iris since they have such extended natural germinations. Panayoti Kelaidis of the Denver Botanical Garden has iritorrmed me that Fritz Kummert In Austria, Frank Norris in Tennessee (USA), and David Shahak in Israel are growing Oncocyclus Iris from seed in large numbers. Panayoti said that there are reports that germination was much improved by rinsing the seed in dilute Chlorox (aqueous NaOCI) and rubbing off the seed coats after which the seeds germ. readily at 40. There are also reports that gibberelic acid and other chemicals stimulate germination. Data is needed using scientific procedures. A recent book, "The Iris" by B. Mathew, is devoted to this genus. Mathew divides the genus into six subgenera with further division into sections and series. His arrangement is used only in part. The species are arranged in alphabetical order for convenience with subgenus or section indicated in parentheses using the abbreviations B (bearded), Bx (beardless), E (Evansia), 'N (Nepalensis), .0 (Oncocyclus), P (Pardanthopsis), A (Regelia), At (Aeticulata), and X (Xiphium). I. germanica (B) germ. best when fresh seed or seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40 was sown at 40. Typical data are 40(31% in 7-12 w)-70(31% in 1-6 d)-40(2%)-70(2%). It is possible that many of the seeds that germ. in the 2nd cycle at 70 would have germ. in the first cycle at 40 if this cycle had been extended beyond 3 m. Germination was usually reduced in fresh or DS seed if the seed was sown at 70. Typical data were 70- 40(0-25%), although light seemed to have some effect as shown by 70L(1 0%)- 49(60%). Outdoor treatment germ. 78% in April. It is probable that the samples were hybrids and that germination behavior will vary, particularly the response to light. Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Iris p. 156. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list. Protocol 5 N. C. Deno, 1993 Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.
1 Warm moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 70°F 21°C
2 Cold moist stratification
Duration: 90 days · Temperature: 40°F 4°C
about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2.
0% germination.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Iris p. 156Public domain Show the original text Iris (Iridaceae). This genus gave -not only great diversity in germination behavior but also some of the most extended multicycle germination observed. Germination is always hypogeal, and true leaves develop in 'a week or two once the radicle emerges even when germination was delayed for years. Empty seed coats and deformed seeds are relatively easy to recognize so that seed counts and percent germination are accurate. A major problem is how to stimulate the germination of Oncocyclus and Regelia Iris since they have such extended natural germinations. Panayoti Kelaidis of the Denver Botanical Garden has iritorrmed me that Fritz Kummert In Austria, Frank Norris in Tennessee (USA), and David Shahak in Israel are growing Oncocyclus Iris from seed in large numbers. Panayoti said that there are reports that germination was much improved by rinsing the seed in dilute Chlorox (aqueous NaOCI) and rubbing off the seed coats after which the seeds germ. readily at 40. There are also reports that gibberelic acid and other chemicals stimulate germination. Data is needed using scientific procedures. A recent book, "The Iris" by B. Mathew, is devoted to this genus. Mathew divides the genus into six subgenera with further division into sections and series. His arrangement is used only in part. The species are arranged in alphabetical order for convenience with subgenus or section indicated in parentheses using the abbreviations B (bearded), Bx (beardless), E (Evansia), 'N (Nepalensis), .0 (Oncocyclus), P (Pardanthopsis), A (Regelia), At (Aeticulata), and X (Xiphium). I. germanica (B) germ. best when fresh seed or seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40 was sown at 40. Typical data are 40(31% in 7-12 w)-70(31% in 1-6 d)-40(2%)-70(2%). It is possible that many of the seeds that germ. in the 2nd cycle at 70 would have germ. in the first cycle at 40 if this cycle had been extended beyond 3 m. Germination was usually reduced in fresh or DS seed if the seed was sown at 70. Typical data were 70- 40(0-25%), although light seemed to have some effect as shown by 70L(1 0%)- 49(60%). Outdoor treatment germ. 78% in April. It is probable that the samples were hybrids and that germination behavior will vary, particularly the response to light. Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Iris p. 156. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list. How each step is done , in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.
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