Anyone who is allowed to call numerous daylilies their own in the garden will have to decide after flowering whether they want to collect the seeds or not. They can be used to breed new generations. But how does the sowing succeed?
Daylilies are easy to propagate from seeds
When are the seeds ripe?
The seeds are ready about 6 to 8 weeks after the flowers have withered. Since daylilies flower at different times from variety to variety, the ripening time of the seeds also varies. Ripeness is indicated by burst seed pods.
It is best to remove the seeds on a dry day. If you want to dry them, let them air dry for a few days, for example near a heater. After that, they can be packed in a seed bag. It is much more advisable to put the seeds in the refrigerator. The germination rate in spring is higher due to this stratification.
How do the seeds look?
The seeds are clearly visible. They are small (0.3 to 0.5 cm in diameter), black, glossy and rounded to drop-shaped-triangular. Their surface is smooth and they look plump when fresh.
How is the sowing successful?
Seeding is not the most popular method of propagating daylilies. It is much more complex and difficult than dividing the plant. In addition, the results are not true to type. This means that if you have a daylily hybrid, the sowing will produce daylilies with different characteristics than the mother plant.
How to sow:
- Soak seeds in water for 1 to 3 days between late February and April
- Change water once a day
- Sow seeds in seed soil (0.5 cm deep) and keep soil moist
- Germination time: 4 to 32 days
- Continue cultivating seedlings in a cooler location
- prick out if necessary and fertilize lightly
- Plant out after the ice saints in May
The young daylilies should be planted in a light and warm place. Sunny to partially shaded locations in a sheltered area of the garden are ideal. If you don't have a garden, you can keep daylilies in pots on the balcony.
tips and tricks
If you don't want seeds (daylilies often reproduce by self-sowing) you should cut off the withered flowers quickly.