Hand Pollinating Irises, From Technique to Planting Seeds.

I enjoy the whole process of growing Irises, Being able to produce a new variety of Iris appealed to me, so I learned how to hand pollinate them. I quickly discovered that it wasn't hard at all. I hope you decide to give it a try if you already grow them. It really is as easy as this video makes it look.
American Iris Society: www.irises.org
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[@jackb666]

Very nice Prof. Jim. Thanks for sharing this tidbit of your gardening expertise. 🎄🎶A note for writing on plastic labels, I use a good old pencil. I have labels in my orchids for yrs..

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks for that tip on the plastic labels, Jack! Much appreciated. I think I will pin your comment so others can benefit too.

[@FrankBoston]

Mom gets Iris from the Tulsa Iris Show each year. We have some gorgeous ones and I'm going to surprise her by making a new variety. Thanks so much.

[@MidwestGardener]

That is awesome! Good luck! I hope you make a great one.

[@loveaustralia5937]

Thanks! Watching from Australia 🇦🇺

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome. You probably have some in bloom down there. Enjoy! It's always great to hear of more viewers in Australia!

[@jeannfrancis3623]

Thank you for the great video. About germination of seeds - in November put them for 20 days or so in distilled water, change water every day. Then put them inside of a tuft of wet moss, the moss inside a plastic bag, and leave it till February or March in the low shelf of your fridge with temperature barely above zero. Then take them and leave the bag on a windowsill under the rays of the sun. Near 100% germination. Also it is not necessary to wait until the seedbox becomes fully dry, you can cut the stalk when the box is still greenish and put it in a vase with water and let it ripen there. We have to do this because it is too cold here and Irises don't have enough time to ripen in situ before first frosts and this does not affect germination of seeds in bad way.

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for all the great tips! It's much appreciated!

[@Mrsnufleupagus]

Wow, you usually have a lot of great info in your vids...that was at another level! The in-laws have a cool yellow iris, and mine is a vibrant purple, and now you have me wanting to create a new flower, lol. The writing on the leaf worked far better than the tag, very interesting. I love your start to finish type vids, it really helps to see everything all the way thru:))

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Ryan! I think you should give it a try next year. It takes some time to see what your new flower will look like, but it is sooo cool when you see that first one. I haven't found a good source for iris genetics, so I don't know what traits are dominant or recessive, but I hope to figure some of that out if I live long enough. Seeing what come from a yellow to purple cross might tell us something. Makes me wish it was spring already :)

[@Mrsnufleupagus]

I think you know I will give that a go! I've heard gardening keeps the mind young with all the learning ,planning and reading/watching. If that's true, you'll be around for a long time, lol. I spend half my year wishing it was spring:)))

[@MidwestGardener]

Lol, yep me too on the wishing for spring. I'm trying to do some stuff indoors this year, and I really think that is helping with my withdrawal.......now we wait :)

[@nursekrista2011]

A little dirt never hurt I really hope you crossed those 2 this year, I would love to see that combo!!

[@MrCntryjoe]

in 3s, love a good garden lab exp. thank you Jim. htgde stormy here!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by. Hope things are going well.

[@50shadesofgreen]

thanks for sharing your knowledge on Hand Pollinating your Irises, Then Saving and Planting the Seeds.

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks for watching!

[@AnOldSchoolHome]

That was so fascinating to watch Jim! I love learning new things like that. Thank you 😊

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Sasha! I really enjoy doing it every year.

[@AnOldSchoolHome]

Have you registered any of your varieties?

[@MidwestGardener]

I haven't registered any yet. I'm waiting on one that I'm really proud of, to name after my mom.

[@AnOldSchoolHome]

:) This is so sweet Jim :)

[@ltlbnsgarden]

That is awesome! You are such a great well rounded gardener. You are knowledgeable with veggies and flowers 🌸 big thumbs up 😊

[@MidwestGardener]

Thank you very much! That is very kind of you!!

[@greenthumbelina7331]

Jim, I love this, and I have quite a few different iris growing in my garden, so I just might have to try to propagate a new variety!

[@MidwestGardener]

Awesome! I think you will get hooked when you see that first one bloom for the first time, Margie.

[@TheGrumpyGardener]

That was interesting to see, appreciate you sharing your knowledge Jim!!

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Mick! It requires not having a problem with delayed gratification, but it can be a lot of fun.

[@p.c.6706]

I remember you talking about starting a new Iris last year. I looked up on the registering part and found it interesting. Marking on the leaf worked out well which surprised me as it's not something that would have crossed my mind. That's a great tip. I'm really looking forward to seeing next season's progress! Do you keep your pot of Iris seeds out of the direct weather or in a protected area? Thanks for the update Jim.👍

[@MidwestGardener]

If I every produce one that I think is worthy, I plan to name it after my mother. She loved Irises and Zinnias. I leave them out where they will be exposed to the weather and get rain and snow on them. I plan to plant some out at the edge of the garden, directly in the ground. Spring sure seems like a long way off :)

[@p.c.6706]

Midwest Gardener Thanks! The only reason I was wondering is that it's going to be in a pot vs. The ground and I wasn't sure if the elements would be too harsh for the root system. It's going to be so cool when you get to give it your mom's name😀 Repeat after me: Spring is right around the corner! Spring is right around the corner! It helps to fake yourself out lol!

[@MidwestGardener]

Lol, Spring is right around the corner :) At my age, I fake myself out pretty often......just not on purpose.

[@p.c.6706]

Midwest Gardener LOL!!!

[@preetiyog7542]

Very helpful video thanks

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! I'm glad that it was helpful.

[@sandib4234]

Lots of great information thanks!👍🌞🌻

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@MisfitGardening]

Irises are one of my favorite flowers. I want to try growing them. Next year and cross pollinating them! Thank you for sharing this awesome tutorial! Can you place a paper bag over the pods to ensure you keep the seeds?

[@MidwestGardener]

I never thought of putting a paper bag over the seed pod. That's a pretty good idea. I might have to try that. They are fairly easy to grow. They don't like to be moist all the time, so good drainage is a must, if you live in an area that gets lots of rain. I think you will enjoy them if you decide to give them a try. I know we sure enjoy ours.

[@MisfitGardening]

Midwest Gardener I use paper bags to collect seeds from all sorts of plants in my garden. I tie them on with some string. They've held up to a bit of rain ok and dry out.

[@MidwestGardener]

Nice!

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Great tutorial Jim. Will they bloom the first year? Best wishes Bob.

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks Bob. Mine usually take about 2 or sometimes 3 years. I don't really give them much TLC though.

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Thanks. I was thinking they took a year or two.

[@UT33200]

Great video! Is that Angelina Sedum in the whiskey barrel? Also, the other Sedum? I grew Angelina, Utah Green, Dragon's Blood and Tri-Color Sedum out in my Zone 6 yard and was impressed with how they hold up in this environment. Didn't realize Iris seeds were so big either. Good info. Thanks for the share!

[@MidwestGardener]

I'm not sure on the Angelina. They've been out there long enough for me to forget the names. I think the other one is Dragon's Blood, but it didn't get as red as some of the pictures I've seen. We also have a couple of other types that are out of view of the camera. The cool thing about sedum is how easy they are to start from cuttings. We have some growing on the grown right below the whiskey barrel that started from pieces that fell on the ground.

[@UT33200]

They really are a heat resistant/drought/cold hardy plant to have around. My first thoughts were Dragon's Blood on the other, but was also unsure because of color. Ours stayed mostly green with reddish stems all year until cold and then changed deep red. Now they are a deep green/red. As I moved them throughout the year they kinda fluctuated based on how much sun, etc. they were getting.

[@MidwestGardener]

Yep, I've noticed some color variation due to seasonal changes too. They are definitely tougher than they look.

[@nursekrista2011]

UT33200 Ground cover sedum is my FAVORITE!! And yes that is Angelina and I Dragon’s Blood! I have them both, I ❤️ how bright orange/pink the Angelina gets in the elements!!

[@wildchookMaryP]

This is a great video. I can't wait to try this, love it. My amaryllis are in bloom now, so I have been pollinating mine to get some seeds. Try, that is, will see if that works LOL

[@MidwestGardener]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I can tell that if you try it, you will probably be hooked on it like I am :) I never thought of pollinating amaryllis. That's a neat idea!

[@dustywyoming]

I know this is an old video, but would you make a video showing what the seeds ended up growing into? You should offer some of your irises for sale in your store.

[@MidwestGardener]

I hope to have some of my irises for sale some day, but to be honest, I'm running out of some days 😊 The Iris sprouts look just like the adult iris plants do.....except smaller. Here are a couple that I have produced: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3u0gKZmhrNsiMk

[@sarahgittel]

thank you very clear. hope i can do it

[@MidwestGardener]

I think you can do it. If it is your first time, try a whole much of them. That way, maybe a few of them will take. Good luck!

[@agustasister5624]

U can do it!!!

[@DeJenerateTraveler]

very clear thank you!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome, Jennifer!

[@吳茉莉-q6i]

好特別的顏色唷！謝謝分享！

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome!

[@Yodasstuff]

When you do this does it need to be a fresh flower? Can you save the stem pollen in a jar and then use it later with a flower that blooms a few days later? Not all of them bloom at the same time.

[@MidwestGardener]

I usually use flowers that opened the previous day. I've never done it, but I'm pretty sure that you could save pollen in a jar and then use later.

[@jolyndaj]

Very interesting. Makes me think of Luther Burbank.

[@MidwestGardener]

Wow, I'm afraid that I sure don't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as someone like him. I can relate to how passionate he was about plants and developing something new though :)

[@thealmightygrilledcheese3908]

Would you be able to pollinate irises by using a smalll paintbrush and brushing against the anther then brushing into the stigmatic lip?

[@MidwestGardener]

That would work as long as you transfer some pollen. Like the way I do it, the more times you try, the more times you will succeed.

[@Danny_Does_Drawings]

How long does it take for the iris to bloom once it starts growing? A year? Two? Three?

[@MidwestGardener]

If everything goes right and it gets what it needs, it might bloom in a couple of years.

[@lornamikkelson5690]

I put a nylon over my pods and tie the bottom shut in case I dont harvest soon enough.

[@MidwestGardener]

Good idea!

[@sandib4234]

Yeah that's what I was going to do I looked at my irises and I have a couple and I looked at my neighbors and he's got a ton of pods on his and so I'm going to take his cuz he don't want them 🤗

[@sarahgittel]

how old should the bloom be to get a good amount of pollen

[@MidwestGardener]

I'm not really sure of the optimum timing. I just depend on doing a number of attempts, knowing that some of them won't work.

[@IAmHumanJake]

Is there an update video on what the flowers look like

[@MidwestGardener]

Sorry, I don't have one.

[@DIYSolarandWind]

zip tie a plastic bag around the seed pod. That way you wont have any seeds that fall to the ground

[@MidwestGardener]

Thanks for the tip! I don't usually lose any, but sometimes it does happen.

[@davidreeves7725]

I am breeding orchids, but I have irises so i guess I can pollinate them too.

[@MidwestGardener]

That must be fascinating also. It can be addictive though. But you probably already know that if you breed orchids.

[@kennethsevere6963]

Instead of using a Sharpie or other permanent marker on plastic plant labels, use a no. 2 pencil. The marker ink will fade. The pencil will not.

[@MidwestGardener]

Yep, good point.

[@plantingseedsforlife2138]

Kind of like garlic as far as life from planting to seed harvest. Interesting.

[@MidwestGardener]

It can be a lot of fun, but it takes a long time to see what you have produced.

[@elizabethcamati4380]

I would like to know the emperature iris like and seeds and little iris go well? I has baby plants but some are dying. The temperature is 20 to 30 celsius? Wind helps?

[@MidwestGardener]

Those temperatures shouldn't kill them, so there must be something else going on. I'm not sure what though. It gets hotter than that here, and mine do fine.

[@crayolasun]

How do you keep local animals from eating the seed pod?

[@MidwestGardener]

I've never had any trouble with anything trying to eat the seed pods.

[@crayolasun]

Midwest Gardener Thanks! Going to try my hand at cross breeding some in a few days!

[@MidwestGardener]

You're welcome! Good luck! I have to warn you....it can be addictive :)

[@crayolasun]

Midwest Gardener A quick question, are some hybrids sterile? My various iris have been in bloom for 7-10 days now and none of them have any pollen on the anthers...is this common?

[@MidwestGardener]

@@crayolasun Yes, some irises are sterile. I couldn't tell you exactly which ones, but I know that some are. I have several myself that produce little or no pollen.

[@sarahgittel]

I have used balloon ribbons colored

[@MidwestGardener]

Interesting!