Dear Friends, 1. I have my own mini-experiment on germination of Gladiolus seeds to report on today. I got a packet of G papilio 'Ruby' seeds at the end of May well after I had planted all other seeds for spring. I thought I might as well try a few seeds to see if I could still get timely germination so I Googled the topic. The results were all over the place depending on which species of Gladiolus, and location. Nothing seemed really 'right' but the major difference were that seed germinated best at 40 F or 70 F. I put a small sample of seed in 2 three inch pots of soil and placed one in the greenhouse at ambient 60-90 F, and the other in the vegetable drawer of the fridge around 40 F. I checked a couple times and found that in both pots the seed coat was deteriorating and the seed was swelled to a near sphere. Three weeks to the date multiple seeds began to germinate in the greenhouse. Nothing in the fridge drawer. I brought the fridge bag into the greenhouse. I expect germination in a timely fashion So my from my small trial I can attest that G. papilo 'Ruby' germinates readily at warm temps. 2. Last year we had a discussion about the seeming stubbornness of Ixiolirion to bloom well in many gardens. I have a few that bloom off and on, but after the discussion I cleaned up the patch, added a thin layer of good soil. I even tossed on a bit of 12-12-12 fertilizer. This spring we had (and still have) a very wet season. The Ixiolirion have responded with an extra good show of deep blue purple flowers at their peak now. These are growing on a dry western (hot sun) facing slope along with Spuria iris, Manfreda and such. 3. Seeming at odd with the above hot dry conditions, in a flat site at the north end of the garden, two patches of English Iris are now in bloom. These are among the latest of iris to bloom. The only later iris are the Japanese Irises and Iris dichotoma (formerly Pardanthopsis). Gardeners always want to extend the bloom season. By growing a wide range of species and their selections you can have bloom through July and almost up to when the reblooming iris begin the late summer season again. 4. And last but not least I wan to herald the lily season. It has begun in earnest with various Asiatics starting things off. Years ago I got a deal and bought a lot of 'Connecticut King ' an early clear yellow Asiatic and it is popping up all over the front garden. Never enough to get boring. Sorry no pic on the wiki, but easy to Goggle. http://images.google.com/images/… L. michiganense, one of my favorites have abundant buds and just beginning to show color. More to follow. Just wanted to share a few 'views' of 'happening's' in the garden in Kansas City. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +