plant bed and shaded until well grown out. The rhizome cutting 
should be replanted in rooting media to develop additional plants. 
The process can be repeated until all the buds on the cutting have 
been developed. 
(3) Flower Stalk Off-shoots: This method of propagation may 
supplement the others if a maximum increase of a desirable rare 
variety is wanted. The off-shoots on the stalk are similar to those 
of the daylily. However, the flower stalk buds at the leaf nodes 
must be stimulated into growth. Do this by cutting the stalk while 
it is still green, after blooming, but before the seed pods form. Then 
place the flower stem in a container of water so that the water 
line is slightly above the base of the leaf node. Keep in shade. 
Another method is to place the flower stalk almost horizontally in 
a sand propagating box. When the off-shoot and its roots have 
developed, remove it from the flower stem and transplant. 
PROPAGATION BY SEED 
Seed pods will develop on most wild Irises. If pollinated, each 
pod produces from several to about 60 cork-like seeds. This method 
of increase is very important to Iris hybridizers in developing new _ 
forms and colors, but it is slow. All the seeds in a pod may not 
germinate the first year. 
Gardeners who desire large quantities of plants for mass plant- 
ings may also be interested in using seeds, if trueness to variety 
is not important. Most Louisiana Irises are hybrids and their seed- 
lings will vary in color, size, and form. 
If Iris seeds are left on the stalk to fully mature and harden, 
they germinate very slowly. The fully matured, late harvested, 
dried-out seeds will go into what is known as a “rest-period” and 
it may take several years for all of them to sprout. However, you 
can hasten germination of Iris seed by harvesting them when the 
seed pod is still partially green. Planting at harvest time (June 
and July in Louisiana) will produce a higher percentage of seed- 
lings by fall and early spring. 
Do not plant seed in garden beds because weeds will choke the 
plants and heavy rains may wash seeds away. 
A better plan is to plant in flats, cans, or other containers, par- 
tially filled with a good propagating media, such as vermiculite or 
leaf mold and sand. Good drainage is important. This is best ac- 
complished by making small holes in the base of cans or other 
containers. 
