Growing Iris from seed - how to?

Mr. Vine Eye

Hello, I harvested an iris seed head today, I believe it's from an Iris Sibirica. Lots of lovely chocolate chip sized seeds, like mini chestnuts.

I'm aware that they may not produce plants like the parent - but I'm not fussed about that. Just wanted to have a go at growing some.

I'm unsure as to how best to go about growing them. Can they be done now? Or do I need to wait til next year? Are they one of these seeds that need to overwinter before they'll grow? 

Any special techniques required?

Thank you for any advice.

Palustris

Dead easy from seed. Sow now, ordinary seed compost, cover with about 1cm of grit. Place somewhere safe outside, Watch out for vermin who may like to eat the seeds. They usually germinate in Spring. Leave in the seed pot until  they develop a reasonable root then pot up and wait a few years.

Mr. Vine Eye

Thanks. I’ve done 24 in trays outside and the rest straight in the ground. 

Mr. Vine Eye

First flower from those seeds.

Blue Onion

How exciting!  Thanks for the follow-up.  I always love to hear/see the results of a post.

Ilikeplants

Very interesting and lovely flower. So you still had iris seed heads in October? I thought the flowers were long gone by summer. I still have some iris in the border now but think they will start to die back and always thought I had to pinch off the old heads.

Pete.8

Congratulations - You must be really chuffed!
Your very own Iris Mr.Vine Eye
Does the plant that flowered look like the parent plant?

Mr. Vine Eye

Pete.8 said:

Congratulations - You must be really chuffed!
Your very own Iris Mr.Vine Eye
Does the plant that flowered look like the parent plant?

I can't remember what the original was like now! But think it looks pretty much the same. Said at the time it looked like Iris Sibirica