This is my first foray into daylilies from seed. This year I had planted some seed and now have a few plants that are growing well. Given I'm in a zone 5b to 6a what can I reasonably expect as far as first flowering and when should they be planted out?
I hope in some future day to have some cultivars that even approach what is seen here.

Welcome Brian to the world of daylily seed and the plants and blooms to follow. Other than the birth of a child or grandchild, getting to see one of your seed come to bloom is the most amazing thing around.

I don't know how long your plants will take to bloom but I've heard others from the North say it can take 3 years but I'm sure this includes the time from first making the cross til bloom. There are so many factors that can decrease this time and I'd bet it could take longer if the least thing causes a set back. But trust me on this, you will be like a kid on Christmas morning when your first baby blooms and then it only gets better!!!

Michele, your baby is absolutely awesome. You may put me down for one when the time comes. WOW!!! I'd love to have one that just gets close to this.

James babies are to die for. I love the first one. Golly geeeeeee! What a great purple bloom. I love purple, the shape and the edge. It's got a lot going on.

One thing that strikes me about all these plants. They are planted
outside and yet they look like they are grown in a greenhouse.
Gorgeous!

Michele makes them look soooooo goooooood!

I only take photos of the best looking ones, that's why they look good. There are plenty that are really ugly and have nothing going for them at all.

Yep, usually many to be culled. But then, when you think about it
if we didn't have culls, where would we put all these plants. They would
cover the entire continent in no time.

Hi Brian,

I'm sure someone will pop in from that zone range that can answer you better. But when to plant outside is when it's warm enough in your area to start planting things.

bearsearch said:This is my first foray into daylilies from seed. This year I I had planted some seed and now have a few plants that are growing well. Given I'm in a zone 5b to 6a what can I reasonably expect as far as first flowering and when should they be planted out?
I hope I some future day to have some cultivars that even approach what is seen here.

Welcome Brian,
I am from the north and I have had various experiences with blooming from seed to plant. I've had plants bloom the following summer, and I have also had plants wait 2 years or 3 years. I guess it depends on the genetics involved. I plant my seeds outdoors in pots around the first week in May. They stay in pots all summer and then I transplant them in the ground around the first week of August. I have had good germination and success. This will be my third year doing it that way.

Glad some have answered Brian, I could only guess being where we are located.
GREAT FIRST SEEDLING MICHELE!!
I can give you a little hint about taking photos of purples and reds, shade them with a black umbrella, it lets the utra vilot rays thru but keeps the bright light from reflecting off the bloom and causing the photo to be much lighter color. I use a white umbrella for any other color when taking photos in the sun.

I have taken so many photos of these seedlings I don't know what I have not taken a photo of, so if I repeat myself just grin,and bare with me, you will be my age one day.
This is the first dip baby seedling to bloom
EMMAS CURLS X LILLIAN'S VAPOR TRAIL 9" 8 month

Second dip
LAVENDER BUTTERFLY X LILLIAN'S SWEET THANG 8" 8 month

SEEDLING B10 X BEST EDGE 5.50 8month

Thanks Fred

Well I'll be!!!! I've had a black umbrella sitting in the van the whole time Thanks Fred for that tidbit.

Love both of the dips the best.

Wouldn't a black umbrella make it too dark?

Brian, I am north of Boston.

I have started some seeds indoors. They are not big enough to even plant outside yet (3 inches?). I would not plant them until after Memorial Day when the SOIL IS WARM.

If you fertilize and water regularly they will grow good the first year (this year)

You might see 10 percent bloom next year. Are you in full sun? Amend your soil? Water daily? Fertilize?

The third year you might have 50-60 percent bloom.

Now, if you start seeds outdoors this year, I'd say 3rd year might catch up to above.

Mine are not in good conditions. Sandy soil, hardly any watering except on 6 inch transplants for a few weeks. They bloom 3 and 4th years before I discard or flag for moving back into a good garden area for evaluation and clumping. I never divide at first. I want to see clump growth. Then divide that fall (now into 6-7-8 yrs) and evaluate once again.

Good luck. It is fun!

Michele, you're a good Mama! I love your baby.

I'm on board about James' purple one. Can't remember the cross. ADHD you know.

Fred, Lillian's Vapor Trail is making pretty babies.

I WONDERED how those purple photos came out so beautifully dark! I have about two dozen newly planted purple varieties and now I know how to get the 'good' images. Thank you, Fred.

lilylady said:Brian, I am north of Boston.

I have started some seeds indoors. They are not big enough to even plant outside yet (3 inches?). I would not plant them until after Memorial Day when the SOIL IS WARM.

If you fertilize and water regularly they will grow good the first year (this year)

You might see 10 percent bloom next year. Are you in full sun? Amend your soil? Water daily? Fertilize?

The third year you might have 50-60 percent bloom.

Now, if you start seeds outdoors this year, I'd say 3rd year might catch up to above.

Mine are not in good conditions. Sandy soil, hardly any watering except on 6 inch transplants for a few weeks. They bloom 3 and 4th years before I discard or flag for moving back into a good garden area for evaluation and clumping. I never divide at first. I want to see clump growth. Then divide that fall (now into 6-7-8 yrs) and evaluate once again.

Good luck. It is fun!

Wow! Looks like I better get a bigger piece of property! I should have started years ago, well I have been trying but never had any seed set but from reading all the posts here I have learned a lot! Thanks everybody!

Thanks Fred for that info about umbrellas. Never would have guessed
black. I usually use Hubby's shadow for mine.

I didn't get finished. One of those pop-up storms just occurred.

It is so nice of you guys to show all the pics. I know it takes a
great deal of time getting everything together. You have shown
some images of plants I have purchased and not seen bloom
yet. So great to get a garden preview. Wonderful photography too.

Would a navy blue umbrella work, or does it have to be black?

Fred, that is a great tip about the black umbrella, and I like all 3 seedlings.

Not a whole lot today, still waiting on scapes on a lot of the seedlings.

This is Buddy's Black Lady x Randy Stephens using the black umbrella. To me it seemed to make a difference in the color


Buddy's Blondy x Wonders Never Cease


Barry Goldwater x dbl seedling