Forgive me if this has been discussed in another thread. My internet is out so I'm working via my phone and searching was just not cooperating.

I was hoping we could have a discussion about starting seeds where people could share what they've learned over the years. I'm asking because I ran into some trouble recently. I purchased some seeds via the LA and when they arrived there were several that had started sprouting in the bags. I took them and potted them up in some generic potting mix cut with some sand to try and minimize the amount of moisture it would hang onto. Some sprouted but half either sprouted then rotted where the seed met the stem or just rotted outright. The mix was moist when I planted the seeds and I occasionally watered. I'm thinking I ran into trouble because I was not watering from the bottom.

Hi! This was my first year doing seedlings as well.... and alas i have lost most of mine....i started them inside because i was so excited i couldnt stand it. ..and that was my downfall...if i could impart any wisdom AT ALL it would be whatever you do dont start seeds indoors...start them directly outdoors unless you have a greenhouse or such..what you are describing happening to yours is called root rot...or damping off...one of the two...once one gets it they usually all get it...im going to assume from what you are telling me u started them inside like i did....

I don't think that starting them inside is the problem. I start a lot of seed inside and rarely have problems with the seeds / seedlings rotting. If the seeds had sprouted in transport there is a good chance they could have started to rot already before you received them. That has happened to me too. I had two packs of seed this year that had sprouted in transport and both had already started rotting. I know that because the shoots were not a clean bright white, though they were intact. A slight yellow cast is all it takes and they are gone. Another problem could have been non sterile soil or over watering. Watering at night is also a common cause of rotting. I also had a problem with receiving rotting seeds that hadn't sprouted. I tried cleaning the remainder with hydrogen peroxide but they all rotted eventually. From articles I've read and people I've talked too, starting them outside directly in the ground also has it's problems.

I wouldn't be surprised if they were bad from the start. Since they were already sprouting and I received extra seeds for the crosses I thought I would use them as a learning experience. My current plan, for the remainder of the seeds, is to use promix (even have a seed starting mix if I can get my hands on it) and figure out a way to water from the bottom. I plan on soaking in a water and hydrogen peroxide mix as well.

Again I just thought I couldn't be the only one who would enjoy and benefit from a thread on the subject.

here are a few threads that might be of help

Starting Daylily Seeds
The thread "Starting Daylily Seeds" in Daylilies forum

Need help with a few ?s about my new seedlings!!
The thread "Need help with a few ?s about my new seedlings!!" in Daylilies forum

Seed storage and expected viability
The thread "Seed storage and expected viability" in Daylilies forum

Thanks! I figured it had to have been discussed but the search function was having no part of browsing on my phone. Feel free to merge with another one to keep things neat and tidy.

I was having trouble starting mine indoors too so now I just start them in pots outdoors and transplant into the ground in late August. So far I haven't had a bit of trouble growing them in pots. I even had trouble growing them in the sponges indoors. Those you water from the bottom and they still rotted.

That's ok! I used my Mac's search on the thread titles. Just thought there might be something in one of those tht would help you. There are few more seed starting threads, but they did not seem to apply to what you have going on.

I start all my seeds in Pro Mix. I get about 80% germination. Last winter I had already started my seeds but then I moved the plants to a water bath. Boy did the roots ever take off! I also received some seeds that had already sprouted in the bags. I let them lie on a paper towel to dry out and then potted them up. Not all survived but about 3/4 of them did. I figure that wasn't to bad.

Another question: how deep do you all plant your seeds? Everything I read is relatively shallow but I just saw a blog post from Ted Petit saying they planted them 1.5 inches deep which struck me.

I had much better germination this time with ProMix but I'm still deing with what I presume is damping off so off to do more reading!

I had 100% success at starting them indoors, and didn't lose any after planting them in the ground. The following year, I germinated them in the fridge with peroxide and water, had almost every one of them grow, and planted them outside in pots. After they got a few inches tall, I stuck them in the ground, and didn't lose even one over winter. I think I just got lucky!

I have had good luck starting them indoors.The first year I tried not so much. I was putting them in a seed starting mix with no luck.I contacted a seller from the LA and she told me how she does it. It's called On the Rocks. Very easy method and I get about a 95% success rate. I use plain(not colored) fish aquarium gravel,souffle cups with lids, and distilled water.I buy the souffle cups from a local Pizza place fill about 1/2 full of gravel,fill with water to just below the gravel, place seeds on top, you dont want them to be laying in water just resting on top of gravel,mark on lid the cross of daylily, I use a number system then keep a log of crosses,it's easier than writing out name on a tiny cup lid,place in a sunny window an wait.Once they start germination and are getting roots and little green leaves I transplant into 12 or 16 oz. plastic cups and put in a little indoor greenhouse. I had to do that because my cat thought they were her lunch.After all danger of frost I harden them off outside then place them in a raised seedling bed. Before winter I cover them with pine needles and leaves raked out of the yard.This works very well to protect them over the winter. Good Luck in all your seed starting adventures!!