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Daylily and Tree / Shrub Seed Collecting and Planting Information
1. Daylily Seed Collecting and Planting Information
Once a daylily is POLLINATED / HYBRIDIZED, it will form a seedpod. The seedpods contain an average of ten seeds each. The pod is ready for harvest when it begins to turn brown and starts to crack open at the top. The pod should be picked and the seeds should be carefully taken out of the pod. The seeds are ready when they are black in color.
After the seeds are removed from the pod they should be allowed to dry in a cool dry area for several days. Once the seeds have dried, they should be gathered and placed in a paper envelope or a zip lock bag and stored in the refrigerator. After they are in cold storage for about 6 weeks, they can be planted.
Planting can be done indoors or outdoors. If you plant the seeds indoors, you should use a sterile potting mix with good drainage on the bottom (kitty litter works well). The seeds should be soaked in water 2-3 days prior to planting, this will allow for proper water consumption.
Plant the seeds at a depth of 3/8" and cover them with plastic (bottom heat is very helpful). The seeds will begin to germinate in about 3-4 weeks (often only 50% or less of the seeds germinate). If you plant the seeds outside, the process is the same as planting the seeds indoors, although you should wait until the soil temp is at least 55 degrees F. This can be anytime in the South and generally late May or June in the North.
Once the seeds germinate, be careful not to over-water the seedlings, because they can rot. Once the seedlings are 3-6 months old, they can be transplanted outdoors in which they will bloom in approximately 1-2 years in the South and approximately 2-3 years in the north.
2. Tree / Shrub Seed Collecting and Planting Information
A. Northern (Colder) Climate
If your seeds arrive to you in the fall. then your seeds are ready for planting. It is suggested that you plant the seeds outside shortly after they arrive. If you cannot plant them right a way, then keep them in the Ziploc bag they were shipped in and store them in the refrigerator. It is essential that you plant the seeds outside as soon as possible. This will allow Mother Nature to stratify your seeds naturally. Prepare a seed bed outside using any ordinary store bought potting soil or good garden soil. Even if the ground is frozen or you have snow on the ground, your seeds will be fine. Plant the seeds no deeper than twice the diameter of the seed. Don’t over crowd the seed because if planted too close, they may “damp-off” (the principle killer of young seedlings). Once the springtime comes and the soil thaws out, you will need to keep the seedbed moist. A plastic tent covering on the seedbed is always beneficial because it is very important to keep the humidity high. After the seeds have germinated for a couple of weeks, remove the plastic covering.
If they arrive in the winter keep until spring in a refrigerator, then follow the directions below in the spring.
The seeds should be placed in warm water as soon as they arrive. Heat 1 –2 cups of water to approximately 120 - 150 degrees F, but not boiling. Pour the water into a thermos or a cooler or anything that will keep the heat in. Place the seeds into the water and allow them to soak for 24 hours. After 24 hours, use a strainer to drain the water and separate the seeds. The seeds should now be placed into a Ziploc bag containing a handful of peat moss or potting soil. Mix the seeds with the peat moss or soil. The seeds in the Ziploc should be damp, but not wet. Place the Ziploc into your refrigerator. The seed should be kept in the refrigerator for 90-150 days. This is called moist stratification. When it is convenient, take the seeds out of the refrigerator and plant them either indoors or outdoors. Plant the seeds no deeper than twice the diameter of the seed. Don’t over crowd the seed because if planted too close, they may “damp-off” (the principle killer of young seedlings). Whether indoors or outdoors, the soil to be used should be kept damp but not soaking wet. A plastic tent covering on the seedbed is always beneficial because it is very important to keep the humidity high. After the seeds have germinated for a couple of weeks, remove the plastic covering.
B. Southern (Warmer )Climate
If you are in a warm climate, then do the following: The seeds should be placed in warm water as soon as they arrive. Heat 1 –2 cups of water to approximately 120 - 150 degrees F, but not boiling. Pour the water into a thermos or a cooler or anything that will keep the heat in. Place the seeds into the water and allow them to soak for 24 hours. After 24 hours, use a strainer to drain the water and separate the seeds. The seeds should now be placed into a Ziploc bag containing a handful of peat moss or potting soil. Mix the seeds with the peat moss or soil. The seeds in the Ziploc should be damp, but not wet. Place the Ziploc into your refrigerator. The seed should be kept in the refrigerator for 90-150 days. This is called moist stratification. When it is convenient, take the seeds out of the refrigerator and plant them either indoors or outdoors. Plant the seeds no deeper than twice the diameter of the seed. Don’t over crowd the seed because if planted too close, they may “damp-off” (the principle killer of young seedlings). Whether indoors or outdoors, the soil to be used should be kept damp but not soaking wet. A plastic tent covering on the seedbed is always beneficial because it is very important to keep the humidity high. After the seeds have germinated for a couple of weeks, remove the plastic covering.
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