Thanks Michele I've been looking for some of those trays but it'll be next year I guess at this late date. I'll stick with my handy cups.

Shirlee, No they are planted in a planting mix (fafard 4M) and I put the sand on top to keep the fungus gnats from laying there eggs in the soil since they can get bad here.

Mona, this is where I get the 72 cell seed trays http://www.growersupply.com/pr...
They don't have the tree trays though. I've remember seeing the tree trays at http://www.jrjohnson.com/produ...

Michele, I always learn something from you. Many thanks. I
start mine inside, so I sterilize the soil, but if I knew for sure
that we are going to have more Florida weather, I would
start them outside as you do. I think that would be a lot less
hassle. Still, I think I will add sand to the pots inside for
extra precaution. I hate those gnats.

By the way, Michele, we found more yellow maggots on
other plants. They were dead from the Seven spray, but
had already damaged the fans. They are ruthless critters.
Have to catch them early. It takes awhile for the rusty color
to show on the fans.

What is fafard 4M planting mix?

Shirlee, I looked and it's actually Fafard 4P. http://www.fafard.com/Products...
It's just a soiless mix that can be used for seeds. Have you ever heard of Pro-Mix, it's basically the same. Fred was using it and that's why I got it and it was readily available and the cheapest. Petit uses the Jungle Growth mixes like you get at Lowes or Home Depot. IMHO, it doesn't really matter what you plant them as long as it's not something that will hold a lot of water and stay really wet.

Another thing I did was spray the seed trays, after I planted the seeds, with my Banrot/Subdue Maxx mixture to kill any bacteria/fungus that may be in the soil that could possibly rot the seeds. I got that from Petit, he does the same thing. It's not necessary but I like to be overly cautious sometimes. Here's his blog where he talks about how he does his seeds.
http://petitdaylilies.blogspot...

I'm so sorry about the maggots, hopefully the Seven spray got more before too much damage is done.

Thanks so much Michele. So informative, you are.
I'm putting all this in my notes.

I have looked for Pro-mix, but have not found it here. Have been
using Miracle Grow potting soil, which I don't like all that much
for seeds. Maybe Lowes or Home Depot can order something
else for me. Evidently, not much demand for seed starting soil
locally. I don't even see many veggie gardens here.

I believe the maggots were the problem with my Hog Heaven
too. The plant is renewing itself now. It is tiny, but a nice dark
healthy green. Just love that yellow flower!!!

I just got some Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix at Home Depot last week. It was inside the store rather than outside with all the other potting mixes. Is that the one you tried but didn't like much, Shirlee?

Betty, it is just the regular Miracle-Gro mix. I'll go soon and see what
they have. Maybe I will get lucky. I have about 50 pods of seeds
already dried and in the fridge in paper envelopes. Later, will put
them in plastic bags with a paper towel soaked with 10 percent
peroxide situated away from the seeds. Trying to delay the
planting time this year, as I have the veggies to freeze and can.

This whole daylily seed thing usually doesn't take place until
August or later, and here it is only July. Amazing.

Glad you mentioned the mix being inside the store. I may have
missed it before.

Why are you situating the paper towel away fro the seeds?

I was very dissapointed in this bloom. I was expecting something orange I guess, not purplish. I'm not real sure where the color comes from. It will stay put until next year so I can see what it will do since they can change. And I probably won't have rebloom this year since it's blooming so late.



Parentage is

POD
Lillian's Banging Mangos


POLLEN
(Mardi Gra Ball x Only Believe) x (Cherry Valentine x Tetra Connie Burton) this is a seedling I got from Lyle. It has a 3 - 3 1/2" bloom (not sure if it's suppose to be this small or if it was this small for Lyle)

I like that bloom with the big cherry red eye. I would have thought
it would be orange also. I love seeing these parents and babies.
It shows the dominant traits, for this bloom. Realize sibs can differ.
It is very helpful, and I should do this too.

Michele, for the first few months, having the paper towel touching
the seeds was okay. No problems, but later during the winter, the seeds
began to rot, but only on ones close to the towel. Positioning the towel
away from the seeds eliminated the problem. Not scientific by any means,
as there may have been other variables involved. But seemed to work.

I wash my hands before touching any seeds, but may have
introduced bacteria when checking seeds for softness.

Betty said
I just got some Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix at Home Depot last week. It was inside the store rather than outside with all the other potting mixes. Is that the one you tried but didn't like much, Shirlee?

Make sure your looking for potting MIX and not potting soil, MIX has no dirt in it and is much finer than potting soil with a lot more peat moss.

Thank you so much Fred. Will look for MIX.

Thanks Fred I forgot to mention that about the mix/soil thing.

Shirlee, I have quite a few crosses (this is one) that I made last year that I normally wouldn't have made. It was my first year hybridizing so I didn't have saved pollen to use so in the beginning of the season I just used what was open at the time until I got some pollen to save.

I have done the same thing Michele, many times.

These were planted July 7, I keep them behind curtains made of screen to keep the bugs and birds out. I don't have the problem with fungus gnats and damp off so I don't add the sand to the top. I wish some of them would damp off, too many seed this year. Between rain showers I rounded up a place for another 40 foot bed yesterday. I also had to order some more trays, I am now out of potting mix and the supply place is out but should have some soon. I will plant another 1000 seed today, was going to do it tomorrow but it's raining today, can't do anything outside.

Nice looking seedlings!!!

Wow Fred, just look at all those seedlings. They look so
good, and the screen idea I really like. You have put a lot
of work into that.

Both of these are first scapes so may not see them bloom this year.
This first one is about five foot tall and not a branch on it, everything is at the top. You have to admit I am pretty good to have bred the branching completely out of two of the best show daylilies around.
LILLIAN'S WOMANS TOUCH X SKINWALKER 10" 10month

This one has a great 32" scape with good branching. I flaged it to move this fall.
(LILLIAN'S ALABAMA SUNRISE X LILLIAN'S STOKE THE FIRE) X TAL OF GASCONE 5.75" 10 month

way to go Fred!!!!

I love the second one