Certainly not! Ask away!

Hybridizing is a lot to type out, and giving a link is the quick way to answer a question.

Hybridizing daylilies is the most addicting thing I have ever done. But it is also a lot of work.

ya know I didn't get into gardening at all till 7 years ago. and I must confess, I am aprehensive to learn certain aspects because of my age. Don't laugh. One of the things I am learning about in my horticulture program is hybridizing trees and I have fallen in love with holly. But to hybridize a holly and see if you were successful could easily take 20 years. I am almost 52 years old. So the idea of trying my hand at daylillies is plausible.

Susan I am new at this too and there is a lot to learn but I think you will fall in love with the plants and bloom when you see what you have accomplished. I know I am excited everyday thinking about which way I should go with this. Questions? I have asked so many of them of so many people and they have been wonderful with answers so don't hesitate. If you don't ask you won't know.

Susan, I agree with rebloom. Ask away! I have learned so much from the questions that other people have asked. Right now, I am following a thread on the daylily forum on DG and have learned a lot more about the topic. Someone asked a question, and several have commented sharing much information. When I have a question about daylilies, I have gone to the people who know--that being the daylily forum on DG and now this new site. So, keep asking!

I've been gardening sense my early 30th's (well, longer than that if you want to count houseplants ) And I'm 55. But I only got interested in daylilies in the last 4 years. I've got about 200 seedlings that I'm so anxious to see bloom. They'll be three years old this summer, so if they don't bloom this year I'm really going to cry. Only a hand full bloomed last year. I even started these in the winter inside, under lights. I've learned that 3 years is normal for this climate. 3 years seems like a very long wait. Hopefully, you'll get bloom in your climate much faster Susan.

Joy

I am a dabber now. I started collecting dls around 2004. I made a few crosses that mostly were dogs LOL. I decided if it was going to worth my time, I need ed to invest in some nice mamas and papas. Here is what I am looking forward to crossing this year. Plus several more in the garden.

ASHTON'S GIGGLES

MOUNTAIN WILDFLOWER

DERANGED DUCKLING
FREE WHEELIN
GAVIN PETIT
HANK WILLIAMS
HOUSE OF QUACK
PAINTED BUNTING
WHIRLPOOL GALAXY

There are no dumb questions, if you don't know the answers. There are lots of people here with lots of experience, most are more than willing to help and try to answer you questions. By no way do we know it all, but we will try.
Nice list Teresa, how long does it take to see them bloom in you area?

WOW! I am blown away, you are all so nice and welcoming. Thank you. I will have to wait to get into this till after I move to MA in August but it is definitly something I am going to try. I usually take to quick and lazy way out and just buy them!!

Hi, Fred at least 2 yrs! I wish I was in a warmer zone sometimes.

Hi, Susan
Glad to see you joining in. I am learning new things every season.

Oh yes, most definitely! I no longer puchase daylilies for beautifying the gardens. After a few years of pollen dabbing I now look at them in a different light....can they produce pretty children for me? LOL!

Ok now what are you working with?

I love a pretty face but if it has a low bud count, or poor branching, I rarely buy it.
Good plant habits are something I am interested in.

I've got my first seedlings sprouting now, from seeds purchased on the LA. It's so fascinating, the different crosses are already behaving differently in how they germinate and sprout! I soaked all the seeds in water and peroxide until they germinated, so I got to see all the variation in how long each cross took to germinate, and now the tiny sprouts are showing off their personalities. I planted all the germinated seeds in holes that were about the depth of a pencil point. Most of the crosses are sending up little leaves, but the rootlets on the Soapstone Bubbles X Thorhalla seeds are so stout and strong that they've all pushed their seeds right up out of the dirt! I'm not sure whether to top them off with more seed-starting mix, or just let them do their own thing....

I would add clean seedling mix just to cover the root. Otherwise when the fan starts developing I'd think it could damage the root. .....just a thought

I have alot of seedlings started this year also. I cannot afford the really expensive daylilies, but I am lucky, I have some friends I met a few years ago and they have a Daylily farm with over a thousand different DL's, many are new. I try to help them in the busy summer with dabbing pollen and they have a tour weekend. In exchange I get all the pollen I want. I freeze it and use it on my cheap ones.
I have only sprouted about half of my seeds so far this year, but I am excited to get them growing outside.

That is exciting, it is good to have friends. Daylily friends ROCK!

I just received my seed wins from Daylily Squire on the LA. Faulkner patterned seedlings x others. It was to help Haiti. So, it was a win win buy.

Teresa, Squire lives a mile or so from me. I got him interested in daylilies....

I only wish I had some folks closer that were interested in growing daylilies

Teresa,
I agree with you! No one close by me, that seems to be interested in daylilies.
This is good,We have a daylily site to meet members ,who are interested in gardening.

Hi, Karla
Yes, it is good to have internet friends of common interest. I have belonged to the Louisville DL club and Nashville's also both are 2 hr drives

Well I have been hybridizing about 10 years and I asked a lot of questions when I started to. Still ask questions.. I have had a few introductions. I live in region 14 and entered
a seedling in the Sally Lake Bed in 2005 and was surprised when it won.
Terrie Money talked me into entering it so I gave her the naming rights.
She chose BAMA GIRL TEE
It was introuduced in 2006 and the seedlings that bloomed from it this year I have
been more than thrilled with.
Sharon