Propagation: Stolen Idea!, 1 by

wrote:
I have been hybridizing both daylily and Iris seeds since 2009. Two cultivars bloomed while still in my coldframe this past summer. And the rest will bloom next season. Since this is a daylily forum, I will refer to that plant.

Mix Peroxide at ratio of 9 parts water to 1 part Peroxide to help prevent mold. Also be sure to mark the cultivar. I mark pod parent x pollen parent. If by change you have a blooming plant that deserves to be registered, you will want to know what parents produced such beautiful child.

This method is called the Deno method from Dr. Deno who invented it years ago.

First, soak the seeds overnight in hand hot water to plump them up. Then use a kitchen paper towel, cut into 4th and moisted it in the Peroxide. Squeeze out the excess. Fold it in half. Place the seeds and fold to cover the seeds. Place this package in a small ziplock bag and zip it, leaving a small opening to blow air into the bag to fill like a balloon. Once filled, zip it closed. Place in fridge for 3 weeks to stratify (moist cold) the seeds. After 2 weeks, check to see if any have begun to sprout, which often they do. After 3 weeks, move to room temp to germinate.

Sprouting time depends on variety. At this point, check the seeds at least twice during the week, starting after the 1st week since they can sprout overnight. As soon as seeds have formed a radical (tiny roots forming) with a tweezer grasp the seed casing of those and transfer to seed flat or pot. Make a hole with a pencil and guide the root into the hole. Plant so the seed is 1/4" below the surface, 1" or more, apart. Be sure to place roots downwards in the hole. If the roots have grown into the paper towel, just tear around the roots and plant it. Do not try to remove the roots from the paper. The paper will eventually rot. Sometimes it is hard to tell if the tiny growth is roots, or leaf buds, which sometimes appear fist. If that is the case, lay the seed on its side and let the seed determines which is which. Water young seedlings once after potting with Miracle-Gro QUICK-START a hormone to help establish root quickly.

Until the sprouted seeds have broken through the soil, they do not need light. However, once they do, grow them in a sunny window, under light, or place the flat outside in a protected area if weather is warm. Daylily seedling look like blades of grass when young. I plant the seedlings in my coldframe end of May when there is no more chance of frost. I space them 4" apart.

The Deno method above can be used for all perennials that are large enough to handle. Most hardy perennials require stratification (moist cold) to begin sprouting. Mother Nature devised that plan so that hardy perennials wouldn't begin to sprout outdoors during winter when they can't survive.

Below are Daylily seeds sprouting in a kitchen paper towel just prior to planting. Photo taken February 2010.