wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Take a sharp blade such as a pair of garden sheers. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This article received 11 testimonials and 98% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You can also gather any seeds that have fallen to the ground. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Use a sterilizing rinse. So, the seed pods are a big waste of resources the plants could be putting to better use. Last Updated: August 5, 2019 You should find you can ease them apart. This is especially true of Iris plants, as the dead flowers turn brown very quickly and detract from other flowers. Avoid using manure, even at planting time. Most of the time, we just let the birds have at them. Soak the seed as above, for two weeks and changing the water daily, With multiple pods, use thin mesh like pantyhose material to seperately bundle the types or crossed varieties of seed. Scan the ground for any that already fell from their pods. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. August is the best time. What are they, and what should I do with them? For tips on how to feed your Iris with fertilizer to encourage more blooms, read on! Deadheading Your Iris Use your fingers or scissors to deadhead your Iris. In the fall, as it begins to cool, plant the seeds in the garden in an area prepared with amended soil and that is weed free. It’s important to remove not only the shriveled petals but also the green swollen sheath it emerges from, as this is the part that will eventually develop into a seedhead. [1] Research source No. They favor sun but will tolerate some shade and generally require little attention. It is wonderful that these bulbs have lasted 75 years. These varieties include Stinking iris (Iris foetidissima) and Blackberry lily (Belamcanda), both of which produce attractive visible seeds after flowering. References Snip the stem off at the base near the ground about an inch above the rhizome. answered Jun 14, 2013 by Brigit The Irish Gal Master Gardner (13.7k points) Hold a paper bag under the stem, then snip off the iris seed pods one by one, so that they drop into the bag. ANSWER: These structures are seed pods. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Deadhead-an-Iris-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Deadhead-an-Iris-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Deadhead-an-Iris-Step-1.jpg\/aid4959065-v4-728px-Deadhead-an-Iris-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"