Seed Pod Production

9 years ago

Hello and thanks for entertaining my question.

I'm curious as to why of my selections: Maho Mite, Snickelfritz, Mardi Gras Parade, Jovial, Blueberry Candy, & Awakening Dream .... why only Maho Mite is the only one producing seed pods? They are all planted in a row & next to each other in full sun.

I've had them 3-4 years now, and the plants I bought were large. The last two years Maho Mite has been the only one to produce.

I want seeds!

Dax

Featured Answer

hoosier_nan (IN z5b/6a)

9 years ago

There is nothing wrong with your daylilies or your culture. As I said, some just don't want to set seeds. Two in your list are doubles and doubles often have missing or deformed reproductive parts, so they are just harder to work with. The daylilies you mentioned are also different ploidies. Maho Mite, Schnickel Fritz and Mardi Gras Parade are diploids so they are not going to cross with your tetraploids.

My suggestion to you would be to find out the ploidy of your named varieties. You can do so by looking them up in the American Hemerocallis Society database. Here's the link--http://daylilydatabase.org/search.php

Then, try crossing them yourself. The best time to do this is in the morning but some do it in the evening and say it works fine. Then you will know for sure if any (and what) pollen got on the stigma. Tag that flower in some way so you know you pollinated it and what plant you used. You can self pollinate them, but it's more fun to cross two with different characteristics.

I hope you have success.

Nancy

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Comments (9)

hoosier_nan (IN z5b/6a)
9 years ago
Some background information would be helpful before I answer the question. Are you attempting to cross between two plants or are you letting the bees do the work? Some daylilies seem to be sterile or set pods with difficulty. Others set pods readily. If you are making the cross, do you know the ploidy of the plants you are trying to cross?

Nancy
gardener365
Original Author
9 years ago
No I do not know the ploidy, and the bees are doing the work.

I'll pollinate a last Jovial that opens with one of my last blooms of one of the others. Things are coming to an end. And I'll pollinate it with Jovial.

Best I can do or say.

Thank you, Nancy.

Dax
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gardener365
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you.

Dax
gardener365
Original Author
9 years ago
I hand pollinated Jovial with Blueberry Candy (last flower opened today.) The Jovial has two flowers that were partially open. A bee flew out of one. I opened them so I could see and get to the stamen and to remove an anther.

I saved the stamens from Blueberry Candy as I will have more Jovial opening over the course of the next 7-10 days I would guess. I'm keeping those in the fridge not the freezer. Good idea?

I really appreciate what you learned me today, Nancy.

Dax
jkayd_il5
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I crossed Schnickel Fritz with a favorite seedling and have 3 huge pods. I tried to set pods on that same seedling and it didn't take. Some plants will give but not take.
gardener365 thanked jkayd_il5
gardener365
Original Author
9 years ago
Of the few I have, Schnickel Fritz is my favorite. Next year which I'm glad you said you were successful, I'm going to hit Schnickel Fritz pretty good.

Thank you jkayd,

Dax
hoosier_nan (IN z5b/6a)
9 years ago
Dax, there are several ways to store pollen. It will be good at room temperature for a few days. You can refrigerate it as long as it stays dry. We don't usually do this so I don't know how long it will last in the frig. It can be frozen also. If you freeze it, you should let it dry for a day and make sure the filaments are detached from the anthers. We store in microcentrifuge tubes, but others use matchboxes or plastic pill cases. In the freezer it will stay good for several years. Whatever you use, moisture is its enemy.

Nancy
gardener365
Original Author
9 years ago
Awesome, thanks a lot. Got it.

Filaments was a new term for me.

Dax