A wonderful list of suggestions from Mary Sue Ittner regarding my effort to sort out gladiolus. Thank you all for your responses. Now my next question. I am in Melbourne Australia - autumn is beginning with weather that can be dry or wettish or frosty. I have seeds of about 8 different iris mainly species. My friend has never got any to germinate. I am soaking all of them at the moment to see if that helps.. I have germinated Pacific Coast Iris - just sewed the seed now in shade and damp. Have I done the right thing here? How long before they germinate - as a general rule? Joy --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com/