First, I will introduce to you our ambassadors: Eggbert and Heggbert. They work hard in the lily room to make sure everyone behaves while I'm away.

For the first time really, I had seeds turn out that I actually crossed and were not open pollinated. This is a success in my book. I have been known to get antsy and take those seed pods too early. My patience is improving....which I hope is a good thing.

The easiest lilies to grow from seed are the trumpets and the OT crosses. I have the best success with them. Asiatics are more tricky to me, but I did get some open pollinated b-c orientation tetraploids in 'Pearl Lorraine', a Robert Griesbach hybrid that are currently growing without dying.

I think that the trumpets like to be overcrowded. I planted a whole pile of seeds in a little pot and they went nuts! They are crammed together, but they seem to love it

I have no idea where I will grow them, they might be crowded out in the real world too. Though it might be a while before any of them flower, it sure gives me something to look forward to for years to come.

I got some basil starts from a Garden Expo last week, so a couple of them are tucked in spots. And because I ran out of time and energy in the Fall, I covered some peony seedlings I started last winter in the garage and have brought a few of them under the lights now to see if they have made it through. It's all about trying new things and seeing what works. Here are some OT crosses that have come a long way this winter.

I used to not really like Winter, but without it, I would never want to do anything like this. I'm more accepting of the seasons, though I hate driving to and from work in piles of snow. Sometimes I don't get home and have to stay over night at work, like last month, when the roads were just awful. It rarely happens, but there was no way I was going to make it home that night.

We always have this snow melt, where we are fooled into thinking Winter is over. And it isn't if it happens in February. I'd rather have the snow to ski and March Madness. Spring will come. Just enjoy the moment you're in for what beauty it holds.

Wow!! Looking good Mags! Where the heck are you going to plant all of those??

What is the twiggy thingy in the last pic?

Where are they going to go? Who knows? Can't stress out about that now, can I?

The twiggy plant is a goji berry bush or shrub. I never got it in the ground last fall, so there it sits in the company of lilies. What better company could you ask for, right? There are actually two little twiggy starts. Supposed to survive this zone, but time will tell.

Maybe when they grow bigger the twiggy things could act as props for the more gangly Asiatics. Not that I'm planning your garden for you, just saying...

Some of my out to down facing Asiatic seedlings were pretty gangly and tended to lean, even in the sun. And many of those have removed themselves from the gene pool over the years. Boo!!!

I have a few asiatic crosses that made is so far, despite my providing less than optimal conditions. And anything with lankongense in its background is particularly tough for me and has never survived. Less water, more water? Different medium? I am content with failure, as long as I don't fail at everything, right?

I have a Calendar Girl Pink Cream cross that looks okay so far. But those trumpets and OTs always look so hearty and robust....and they grow!

Your idea may be a keeper in the garden. I wonder if it will be wild and twiggy its whole life. I kinda love that sassy look anyway...thanks for pitching the idea.

What do you have going? You must have some winter news to report...

I really don't have much at all going this winter. It appears I have lost virtually all of my seedlings that I started Jan '10 probably due to fungus nats. I'll have to dig down in the pots and see if anything is there. Sad story.

I have some tet OT seeds from Mike going and will get more started. Lots of scales bulblets going from last years purchases and I am also propagating a few of my favorite seedlings.

I really need to solve the fungus nat problem. So far I have sterilized some starting mix by dampening and cooking in the microwave. Will also try some sand on the surface. Any other ideas welcome...

I have had that annoying gnat problem too. It drives me nuts. It mostly happens with the seed starting mix I open in the spring, leave outside through the summer and bring in. I can't think that I have directly opened a mix and had these gnats.

Sad that you lost a bunch of seedling starts. You should get some more going...there's still time you know And I know you do good work....

Great looking seedlings, Tracey! Can't wait to see the end product. Love Eggbert and Heggbert.

Pard, ground cinnamon or activated charcoal for the fungus gnats.

Thanks for the suggestion Polly. One day maybe some of them will grow up to be big ones and I'll show them. It's a process, but it sure is fun.

Cinnamon coming right up.....

OK senior moment.... gnat... I already added nat to the dictionary .

I think I have heard of the cinnamon thing before. I'll try that. I also have a major aphid problem in the room where my lights are set up. This is due to bringing in a few plants when we were in for a deep freeze. One is an ensete and I also brought in a miniature fuchsia. I think they came in on the fuchsia. It wasn't worth saving seeing what happened because of it. It will be a tough time getting things going in there this time.

Some rambling thoughts:

Goji berry is closely related to species that can be invasive (by seed) in some climates. Just keep a watch.
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When your lily seedlings are planted en masse, don't forget that they will need more fertilizer (and water). And don't necessarily transplant only the largest ones. True, they should be the most vigorous in the garden too, but you could be missing some very worthy creations whose characteristics are attached only to less rambunctious genes. What I am saying is that the less rambunctious group may, as a whole, be pinks (for instance), while the vigorous ones be predominantly yellow (for instance).

When I planted Pard's seeds, I planted the whole pots of seedlings in the garden. (Seedlings weren't quite as numerous as yours, though.) As they grew, the bulbs pull themselves apart in the soil, and I have dug the clumps, removing the blooming ones to keep or give away, and replant the remaining to see what is left.

Maybe I would divide your "masses" in half or thirds, and do the same.
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If you've sterilized the soil, Pard, maybe I would enclose it in something to keep your "indigenous" gnat population from reinfection, at least until the most vulnerable stage is past.
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Cinnamon's fungicidal properties for the oomycete class of fungi is known. I don't think it matters if you have real cinnamon or the cassia (what is in the grocery store in the US). I much prefer the cassia for baking.

Anyway, I don't know if there has actually been any scientific research using cinnamon as a fungus gnaticide. But there seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence of results. The actual mode of action I would rate as unknown.

Yes, it's my understanding the cinnamon kills the fungus, which is what the gnats are eating.

I've also had pretty good luck luring the gnats away with a glass bowl with lemon juice and a tiny drop of dish detergent. They seem attracted to it, and drown. Vinegar works for this too. Cover the glass bowl with some sort of saran type wrap, and poke holes in it with a knife. For some reason they get in, but can't find there way out.

Great thoughts here and thank you guys for sharing Lefty & Polly. We'll get these gnats one way or another too!

Thanks all for the tips. They will benefit everyone reading this.

Polly, do you use straight vinegar or dilute it some? If straight it might be better for use in the greenhouse where the odor wouldn't be bothersome.