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Q. Every once in a while, one of my daylily plants develops a seed pod. This year they’ve set quite a few seed pods. So far I’ve had no luck in germinating the seeds, but I’m determined to succeed. Is there a trick to it?
A. I think most gardeners are delighted when the opportunity to grow a surprise plant presents itself. And yes, there is a trick to germinating daylily seeds. Start by harvesting your daylily seeds when the seed capsule looks dry and the seeds rattle within it. Remove the seeds from the capsule and mix them with a small amount (1/2 cup) of moist potting soil. Be sure to use a commercial potting soil that has gone through a sterilization process, such as a seed-starting mix, to minimize plant disease problems.
In order to overcome the natural dormancy of daylily seeds, you must expose them to at least six weeks of cold, a process called stratification. You can do this by placing the seed-soil mixture in a container and refrigerating it for the required six-week period. Be sure to seal the container to prevent unwanted soil odors from permeating the refrigerator. Also, don’t forget to label the container clearly so it is not mistaken for some long-forgotten leftovers. Mark the date you started the stratification process on the label too.
After the six-week stratification, distribute the seed mixture over a flat of moist potting soil at normal room temperature. Keep the soil lightly moist while you are waiting for germination to occur. Germination will take anywhere from two to six weeks at 60 to 70 degrees, but some seeds may not sprout until weeks after that. Transplant the seedlings to individual pots when the seedlings are large enough to handle easily. They may be kept in their pots until they are large enough for planting in the garden and the weather is warm enough.
A. I think most gardeners are delighted when the opportunity to grow a surprise plant presents itself. And yes, there is a trick to germinating daylily seeds. Start by harvesting your daylily seeds when the seed capsule looks dry and the seeds rattle within it. Remove the seeds from the capsule and mix them with a small amount (1/2 cup) of moist potting soil. Be sure to use a commercial potting soil that has gone through a sterilization process, such as a seed-starting mix, to minimize plant disease problems.
In order to overcome the natural dormancy of daylily seeds, you must expose them to at least six weeks of cold, a process called stratification. You can do this by placing the seed-soil mixture in a container and refrigerating it for the required six-week period. Be sure to seal the container to prevent unwanted soil odors from permeating the refrigerator. Also, don’t forget to label the container clearly so it is not mistaken for some long-forgotten leftovers. Mark the date you started the stratification process on the label too.
After the six-week stratification, distribute the seed mixture over a flat of moist potting soil at normal room temperature. Keep the soil lightly moist while you are waiting for germination to occur. Germination will take anywhere from two to six weeks at 60 to 70 degrees, but some seeds may not sprout until weeks after that. Transplant the seedlings to individual pots when the seedlings are large enough to handle easily. They may be kept in their pots until they are large enough for planting in the garden and the weather is warm enough.
