What do you think ?

7 years ago

I am in the process of planting seeds ( daylily of course ) I want to pot up but then place outside. We are still getting freezing weather here at nights . Anyone know if I will need to bring back in every night or can they stay out now ? I am zone 5b-6a . I know people plant seeds in the fall and they go through the winter in ground but what about pots planted now not placed in the ground ?

Any help is much appreciated.

Featured Answer

hoosier_nan (IN z5b/6a)

7 years ago

Bob asked your question on a Facebook group. Dave Mussar, who lives in Ontario, said he pots his up and puts them in the garage until the first week of April. At that time he sets them out in the driveway to germinate. He said he isn't normally frost free until about May 24, but by that time the daylilies are well up and acclimated to the temperatures. He does suggest putting chicken wire or hardware cloth over the tops of the pots to keep critters like chipmunks out. If you are going to handle your seeds in this way, don't soak them first.

Let us know how they do. I have been tempted to try this since we are low on space in the basement and in the greenhouse.

Nancy

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Comments (7)

Nancy 6b
7 years ago
I have done it and had good germination, you should have no problem leaving them outside.
signet_gw(6b) thanked Nancy 6b
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
7 years ago
You could always throw a frost blanket over them on really cold nights.
signet_gw(6b) thanked popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
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Julia WV (7a)
7 years ago
Interesting Nancy. What type of mix does Dave use in his process and size of pots?
signet_gw(6b) thanked Julia WV (7a)
signet_gw(6b)
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Not sure what a frost blanket is exactly ? As I write it is snowing like crazy outside UGH!!! Will it never end?

Hoosier_nan , thanks to Bob and you for checking this out for me . I do "know" Dave Mussar and he lives about 2 hours northeast of me so he is one zone colder than me.

I found this fantastic tool online just now . It gives hardiness zones for all of Canada .....amazing how the zones have changed from 1961 to 2010. Zones are probably even higher now . . My area has gone from a 6a to a 6b although they don't say how they calculated that but I do know it has gotten much hotter and drier here since we first moved here some 30 years ago .

Other note : I am going to put these seeds outside on my porch, don't have a garage and the greenhouse , well , lets just say my hubby is using it for storing junk . A 20 foot by 12 foot green house full of crap . Not enough light in the house to germinate , all my lights are being used for daylilies already . We have seen so little sun since September last year and little to no snow to reflect any light into the house . I think I am going to start recording the number of days we see the sun . If I had to guess I don't think it has been more times than I can count on my two hands since September .
marricgardens
7 years ago
I plant mine out in pots in the fall. I did cover the pots with straw to help insulate the daylilies. The only ones I lost were ones the voles/moles got into. I used Pro Mix potting soil mixed with some houseplant soil.
signet_gw(6b) thanked marricgardens
hoosier_nan (IN z5b/6a)
7 years ago
Julia, I don't know what kind of mix Dave uses, but I do know he plants several seeds in one large fairly deep pot. I have not seen his operation in person, just pictures. We plant in either very shallow or 6 inch inch deep X 1 inch wide tubes (with one seed per cell or tube). I would think that those would be more susceptible to cold weather.

Nancy