>See what happens when you don't eat enough fresh vegetables. If I hadn't killed the three seedlings I germinated, it wouldn't be so bad. I suppose the seed I have is over ten years old, and maybe not so much of it is viable. In which case, I germinated the only viable seeds, and then killed them. Irises are more interesting than vegetables. My understanding (undoubtedly limited) of seed coat nicking is that its purpose is to let in water, so it probably doesn't make much difference where the cut is made. It is mildly galling to realize that possibly the only place colder than my garden is the South Pole. -13C right now. Bob Nold Denver, Colorado