All of this talk about lily seeds has me checking in here with mine. Though I never, ever claim to be anything of an expert, I do enjoy the winter growing seeds in my basement.
My daughter found a nice fat pod on a L. henryi stalk this fall (open pollinated). We dried them out and threw them in a bag and had germination within days. They have since been transferred into pots where they seem to be doing well...so far.
This is an oriental hybrid that was started in winter 2007. It looks stronger this year and one has a pretty significant leaf coming up, so I am excited about that.
This was a NALS seed that I grew in a pot this summer on my deck, brought it in last month to see what it would do. So far, so good. It's an asiatic seedling, which I must say that I have the worst luck with asiatics, although many claim them to be easiest ;)
This an from an OT that I crossed this past summer. I had really good germination after drying the seeds out and starting some in bags and some in pots with plastic over the top to keep the moisture in. The ones started in the bags germinated about 10 days faster than their plastic pot counterparts, but both are doing well so far.
These are just barely popping through right now. This was open pollinated 'Awesome' seed started last winter. I actually had a few pots of these so I did a trial of some in the outdoors already with a good supply of mulch over them now. These are just peeking up now.
You might notice a few weeds even have germinated in the pots I have summered outside. So I'm even pulling weeds inside now. Who would have thought of such a thing?
Please share seedlings if you have them. It's fun to note progress.
So sweet to see little signs of life.
I am new to this thread and wondered if the clear looking bits was those "crystals" used in plant mediums to keep the moisture in?
I had just watered them as they has all completely dried out in a couple of weeks, so they look wetter right now than they usually look.
The the mix has no soil in it, but it reminds me almost of styrofoam. It doesn't seem to hold water.
Welcome to the lily forum ge. Always glad to "see new faces" ;)
thanx i love lilies, mostly asiatics and OP's
Very nice, Mag. How deep are you planting your seed?
In the pots I have done between 3 and 4 inches. I thought I had read that. Does that sound about right?
You're planting your seeds 3-4 inches deep? Or is that the depth of the pot?
I have read that soil depth should be at least 5 inches(seed 1/4 inch down). From my experience lily seedlings grow a tremendous amount of roots. I have found that 7-8 inch soil depth would probably be ideal.
The depth of most of my pots are around six inches deep. I was sure I read that the seeds need to be deeper than 1/4 inch. Maybe my mind is failing me. I have had germination in all of my pots this way so far. So I thought I was doing okay.
The roots are very long. When I have transplanted, I am always amazed at their length.
So what you guys might be saying is that I screwed up in planting too deep? Most of the time I use the baggie method and it all works out fine. I just thought I'd do the direct sowing in pots a couple of times to see how it went and if I'd have more rapid growth overall, with a potential for less transplant shock. Evidently, these seeds do want to see the light of day ;)
I think I hear a time delayed message from your seeds, Mag:
Must, muuussst . . . . reeeeeaach . . . . suuuurrface!
aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh, made it.
Even Ian Young doesn't recommend planting any lilies or frits deeply. Although he does say daffodil seed in general should be 1-2 inches below the soil surface.
But obviously, they have been doing okay. On the plus side, they won't need to spend so much energy producing the contractile roots to pull them down further.
I think 1/4 inch deep is probably best for the most part, and I also have seen it recommended. Most lily seeds don't have to be "planted" at all, merely have enough moisture to germinate with. This pic with the zig-zaggy embryo germinated in moist air (no condensation) inside a little ziplock. The darker part is actually green! If you keep the pots sealed inside a bag, planting depth is inconsequential, as far as germination is concerned. In addition, I have read in more than one place that lily seed in general needs light to germinate. I haven't figured that out yet, and basically, I just ignore it.
My first mistake in my seed growing forays was using 4 inch pots. When I when to transplant them, bulbs were usually sitting on the bottom, even though I planted seeds only an eighth inch deep.
(Smiling) Always a learning curve. Maybe that last pot I just did the other day can be re-done now. I wonder if what I had read was talking about the pot depth and I misunderstood it for planting depth. It was a while back and I guess considering they germinate well in plastic bags, no matter how close to the plastic side, or whether they are in the mix thoroughly, it makes sense. Glad the ones I did already reached for the sky in desperation and made it out :)
Oh, thank goodness for this thread. ^_^
I foolishly started some lily seeds I received in trade. I started them in a damp coffee filter in a plastic zip-lock bag. I assumed 8 weeks at room then 12 weeks in the fridge - then back to room temperature.
OOPS! One bunch, labled "like an Easter lily" germinated in three weeks. Another bunch labled tall (5-7 ft) and fragrant have also germinated.
The oriental lilys, asiatic lilies, and tiger lilies haven't done much.
Meanwhile, I very gently lifted the germinated seeds and put them in potting soil, each type in a separate 4 inch square seed starter, which I then placed in an open large zip lock to help maintain moisture.
Now it looks like I need to take each of these and plant in a proper 6" pot eventually.
Will I be able to keep these alive over the winter if I keep them on window sills - or will I have to take them downstairs and keep them under lights? I do have lights, but I wanted them to start annuals for the spring.
I am open to all your suggestions ^_^
This message was edited Nov 21, 2008 2:35 PM
First off, starting lilies from seed is never foolish ;) Lilies that don't require a cold period, like asiatic and tiger lilies that you mentioned, can take weeks to germinate. And with the orientals I have done 12 out of fridge and 12 weeks in. Then back out again. The first thing you will see is a small bulb, the chill is what is needed to make a leaf form. Sometimes the process (warm to cold) takes a few cycles before a leaf will form. I usually date my bags so I don't lose track.
I plant more than 1 seedling in a six inch pot. At some point they make become crowded, but I have found by then I have planted them out.
Window sill light will be fine. Just remember that all parts of a lily are poisonous to cats, so it is best kept out of reach of munching kitties, if you have them. As the temps warm up you can place them outside. I have had success in morning sun, not all day hot sun.
This message was edited Nov 22, 2008 8:14 AM
Oh, thank-you! I don't feel so foolish now. As soon as the seedlings are big enough I will transplant them into 6 inch pots. (The seedlings still have the seed cover attached - so they really are babies!)
I LOVE lilies, so I am really looking forward to 2011 which, I assume is the earliest date when I might see blooms. ^_^
Mag gives good advice. I don't think it would make much difference, but if you would rather wait a month (or two) before transplanting, I am sure that would be fine. Roots will have reached the bottom of the small pot already, but that's okay.
You may not even have to wait until 2011 for some to bloom. Keep your fingers crossed!
Thanks, maybe I will wait a bit before transplanting. As for waiting, until 2011 - well, it would be nice to have blooms earlier, but I don't want to be disappointed . . . I can wait until 2011 ^_^
Honestly, I just love starting stuff. I know this is the lily forum, but I save all the little baby gladiola corms, and keep planting them every year until they are big enough to bloom (all the while always making more and more corms . . . which I share with everyone!)
Obviously, Easter lilies are sold in pots. Can other lilies be grown in pots until they bloom? Or will DH have to sacrifice even more of his beloved lawn?
