Asked on Nov 01, 2017

Surprise Lilies From Seed?

Pwh12490390
by Pwh12490390
Surprise lilies bloomed beautifully - I saved and dried some of those blooms. They look to be full of seeds. Anyone ever tried starting new ones from seed.? I usually divide bulbs, but hope seeds have a future, too.

  6 answers
  • Inetia Inetia on Nov 01, 2017

    I've never saved seeds because I've heard that it takes years for them to bloom. Letting them go to seed steals energy from the bulb.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 01, 2017

    Yes you can plant, but it takes years to get to the size of a bulb and will flower.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Nov 02, 2017

    YOu can!

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Nov 02, 2017

    Sowing seeds is a good way to produce a large collection of lilies. Virus disease is not transmitted through the seeds; therefore, you can use this method to produce disease-free lilies for your garden. Such bulbs will also save you considerable money.

    After the lily plant has finished blooming, deadhead the faded blooms all but one. Leaving only one pod to form seeds is less taxing on the plant and allows the plant to produce seeds and feed the bulb at the same time. When the pod has turned plump and dark yellow, pinch the pod off and bring indoors. When the pod is dry, it will open and the seeds can be then removed.

    Hybrid seeds will not produce plants identical to the parents, but most of the seedlings will be attractive, and there is always the chance that a new lily of superior quality will show up. Flowers first appear the second or third season after sowing, but plants take a year or two more to attain full bloom.

    Seeds can be sown immediately after harvesting or in the spring. Young lily seedlings are susceptible to soil-borne fungi and should be grown in a sterile soil during the early stages of development.

    Using pots or trays, sow the seeds an inch apart, covering them with about half an inch of soil.

    A cool greenhouse (or a windowsill that has some sun for part of the day) is a good location. A temperature range of 13 - 24 C is best. Seeds germinate faster at warmer temperatures. A steady supply of moisture and nutrients is essential, as is good drainage.

    Seeds can be started at any time of the year indoors, and fluorescent lighting can be used with excellent results. Set the lights 2-3 inches above the flats; then raise the lights or lower the flats as the seedlings grow, always maintaining the same distance. When the seeds have germinated, give them from 14 to 16 hours of light per day.

    Seedlings with bulbs more than half an inch in diameter and good roots can be put into the open garden at the end of the first season, or they can be grown in a 3 to 4 inch pot for another year before being set out.

    The above information comes from Lilies In The Valley.

    Further information on growing lilies from seed can be found here.

  • Debra Guski Debra Guski on Nov 02, 2017

    I used Tiger Lily seeds and got beautiful Lillies!