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Can I Plant Daylily Seeds in the Fall?
by Leslie R. Thompson
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Overview
Daylilies are sturdy flowers that grow wild in most of the United States. When cultivated in a garden, these plants can survive drought, control erosion and bloom year after year. Getting started from seed can be difficult and you may not see blooms for one or two years, but after that, you will have blooms that can last thirty to forty days.
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Folklore
Daylilies are completely edible, from the root to the blossom. Dating back as far as 2697 B.C. in China, these wildflowers were eaten to boost willpower and empower the mind. Daylilies have vitamin C and protein and can be cooked or eaten raw. The name, "daylily," refers to the fact that each bloom on this multi-bloom plant will last for only one day.
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When to Plant
Planting seeds depends on where you live. Daylily seeds need time in the ground to cool and can, in the southern states, be planted in the fall--this includes USDA Zone Range 3 to 9. Seedlings cannot tolerate the harsh winters in the extreme northern states. It is better to plant seeds in the early spring in this case.
Blooms will not appear until one to two years after planting in the South, and after two to three years in northern areas.
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Requirements
Daylilies need sunlight. Light shade is permissible and too much sun can make for faded blossoms. It is important to plant daylilies twelve inches apart. Once the plant blooms, it can take over pretty quickly and will bloom each year.
Daylilies grow best in soil with an acidity level of 6.0 to 7.0. They do not need much nitrogen and only a moderate amount of water to survive.
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Seed Germination
Dry seeds can be refrigerated for up to six weeks before planting. Immersing the seeds in water for two to three days prior to planting allows them to store the water they need to survive the first few weeks in the soil.
There are two schools of thought for germination. You can germinate the wet seeds indoors in potting soil or outdoors once the ground temperature is fifty-five degrees F. Seeds should be planted three-eighths of an inch into the soil. If you plant seed directly in the ground do not over water.
Germination can also take place in a solution made up of one ounce of hydrogen peroxide and two liters of water. In this method, you can see the seedlings begin to sprout. Plant in soil, three-eighths of an inch deep as soon as the first rootlet appears. Keep moist but do not over water.
