Question
I live in the Finger Lakes in Upstate NY.  Can I plant seeds from pods directly in the ground and expect the Iris to grow or do I need to plant in pots, leave outside for the winter and go that route?

Answer
Hi Mark,
Thanx for your question.  You should remove the iris seeds from the pod.  Sometimes there is a corky covering over the seeds too and this should be removed.  Soak the seeds overnight and remove any cork.  Plant the seeds in a nursery bed outdoors (a weed-free flower bed) about 1/2 inch deep.  You can also plant the seeds 1/2 inch deep in pots and leave outdoors for the winter.  The iris seed requires a cold period to break dormancy and sprout in the spring.  The seeds will sprout in the spring after the last frost and the soil has warmed up.  The seedlings will look like grass.  Don't expect blooms for at least 2 years.  I hope this helps.
Tom