Plant seeds approximately 14 inch deep, water thoroughly, 
and place in a cool, shady spot. By all means protect them from 
rats. Keep moist until all are sprouted, but do not over-water as 
this will cause seed to rot. As the seedlings emerge to 5 or 6 inches 
in height, lift them carefully, avoiding damage to the tender new 
roots, and transplant to a well-prepared rich soil, high in organic 
matter. Space plants about a foot apart in the beds. 
TRANSPLANTING 
The best seasons of the year for transplanting wild Irises are 
fall and spring, although transplanting can be done at any time. 
During hot weather wild Irises do not grow and are more suscep- 
tible to rot when rhizomes are exposed to direct hot summer sun. 
Most of their growth occurs during rather cool weather. Getting 
irises transplanted and established in the garden by late summer 
or early fall increases your chances for a bloom crop the next 
spring. In collecting plants in the wild, or digging them in the gar- 
den (during blooming season, best for identification) you may use 
either whole fans (large blooming stalk rhizomes with side shoots), 
or small single-side rhizomes about 3 to 4 inches long. If identity 
is to be kept, attach label at digging time. 
If plants are to be shipped a long distance, or held over for 
some time after digging, you may pack them in moisture-retentive 
material, such as damp sphagum or vermiculite. The stored food 
in the rhizome keeps it from deteriorating very fast. 
Set the plants about a foot apart in the garden. Shallow plant- 
ing is best. The top of the rhizome should be level with the top 
of the soil in the bed. You should then mulch the beds with an 
inch of well-rotted organic matter, such as plant leaves, peat moss, 
sugarcane bagasse, cotton gin mote, rice hulls, or rotted saw dust. 
Then water thoroughly and repeat occasionally, if dry weather 
prevails. After transplanting the young seedlings which are small 
and delicate, give them special care until they become well estab- 
lished. 
CREATING NEW IRISES 
Amateur hybridizers among Iris growers are increasing by 
leaps and bounds. They are creating new Irises by cross-pollinating 
and by self-pollinating desirable flower varieties. It is easy to do 
and the wealth of possible new varieties is endless. Once you get 
started, it is just as much fun as walking the swamps to find new 
natural hybrids. Hybrids usually occur where many different types 
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