New and need help, Please!

19 years ago

Hello Everyone,

This is my first offical post, but have been lurking around for a few weeks:-) I will give you a littl background on me. I am very new to all this....plants, DL, all of it. I am lateral entry agricultural education teacher, who until the last couple of months killed any plant I was left responsible for. Last October I took a teaching position that required me to plant stuff with the kids. I started taking my college classes..This summer I took Horticulture...and learned so much! I also took a DL Hybridization class at a nearby Botanical garden and from them on I was hooked. I had one daylily in the yard and by the end of the summer I have at least 12 now. I went crazy crossing every morning. My 2yr old and 4yr old can tell you anything you want to know about the process:-) I have been bitten by the bug and can't help myself. My husband thinks I have lost my mind! I have read anything and everything I could get my hands on about dls. I am trying to also propagate anything that I learn/read about.

After all the crosses, I had about 37 pods and 310 seeds. I researched the best way to start the seeds and ended up, numbering 9oz clear plastic cups, drilling holes in the bottom and planted each seed individually after soaking in a water and perioxide solution for a couple of days. Placing the cups in flats. I have been eagerly awaiting first signs of life....I was getting a little worried, so I checked a random cup and it was mushy....I was so upset! But, it has turned around this week. This coming Monday will make 2 wks since the seeds were planted and as of this morning I had 31 seedlings!! Yeah. I couldn't be more excited. Will I make it to see them bloom??!!

Ok, sorry that was long! Ok on to the question...I have searched and read the responses, but would like a little more feedback if possible. The seeds have just started sprouting.....and I know within 6wks...4 leaves you need to transplant them...my question is whether to do it in a bed or pots.....that is a lot of pots! I have room in the yard for lots of seedling and if necessary, I can plant them in pots and take them to my classroom at school to store and care for during the winter(I even a a few grow lights there)....I also have lots of counter space in the room. Which is better? It doesn't get cold here until the end of Oct or beg of Nov. Will they be ok in the winter outside or is it best to plant in pots? If in pots....what size would be sufficient until they can be planted in beds after winter?

I just want a good survival rate of what seeds end of sprouting. Any help, comments or suggestion would be appreciated! I just want to have the beds ready in enough time or enough plastic pots bought for all that sprout:-)

THANK YOU all!!!!

Teri

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Comments (3)

okbt
19 years ago
Teri,since you have the room at school,I would plant in pots and overwinter in the classroom.If one plant per pot,1 gal size is fine(deeper pots rather than wide).Water from the bottom to try to curb the fungus gnats(get some mosquito dunks from Lowes and put them in your water can).Check garden centers for pots they are throwing away or used ones they may sell cheap.I say pots because I am zone 4 and we get hard,long winters.Maybe someone from zone 7 will give you the go ahead to plant in beds.I just think it is risky for seedlings.Also,some seeds from the same cross may take a lot longer to germinate,so give them 60 days before you give up on them.

Betsy
tweetypye
19 years ago
Welcome to the forum and also the "daylily addiction"!
Now for your question.....I guess you could over winter them in pots inside, but let me share one of my recent experiences with you. I planted 100's of seeds last summer, and ran out of space and time to get them all transplanted from the flats to the seedling beds (which are outside). Several flats of seedlings overwintered on the ground out in the open. I almost threw them out this spring when I noticed some putting up new growth. A friend had lots of 1 gal pots that she gave me, and since I was out of bed space, I transplanted the seedlings into the pots. Guess what, they are larger and healthier looking than lots of the ones I had transplanted into the seedling beds last fall. I guess what I'm trying to say is, these little babies are hardier than lots of people give them credit for being, and I for one, will never try to over winter them inside unless it's in a greenhouse environment set up specifically for them. Think about it, if the seed fell out of the pod onto the ground naturally, it's highly likly they would sprout before winter, so I figure nature's way is the best. At least for me it is. BTW, I'm in zone 8 which isn't too much farther south than you. I hope this helps you make your decision on what to do with you babies. :)
Jan
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katlynn719
19 years ago
Hi Terry and welcome. I am in zone 8b in FL. If you decide to plant your seedlings outside in a bed, my advice would be to do it as soon as possible. Hopefully, the seedlings will have a chance to develop a good root system before your first freeze. I transplant mine when they are 2 or 3 inches tall. I have even done it when they were less than 2 inches. Just be careful and water them lightly before you plant them. If the soil is a little damp, you can squeeze the plastic cup gently and the soil will come out in the shape of the cup. You can dig the hole the size and depth of the cup and not disturb the roots of the seedling.

If you decide to plant them in pots, I agree with Betsy...use 1 gallon nursery pots. And be prepared to fight the fungus gnats with mosquito dunks, safer soap and also hang that yellow, sticky fly tape/strips near the pots. Having done it both ways, I'd opt for the outside seedling beds. But you could split them up and try some both ways and tell us next spring which way worked best for you.

Good luck,
Kathy