I have not seen anyone share a direct sow method, so I will share mine. I will say that this is only my 4th year planting Daylily seeds. My pod harvest method is same as above, when pods ripen and start to crack, I pick them, and the place on a paper towel in the house for two days, I write the cross with marker on the paper towel. I then check seeds for firmness and place in small plastic bag with a small piece of paper towel, and have cross written on the bag. I then store them in the crisper, checking two or three times through the winter for rot.
In April, when it appears the hard frosts are over, I direct sow into an area that has been cleared of weeds, watered, and the top few inches worked up, then raked level. I plant seeds 6" apart in rows 6" apart, leaving a two foot wide space every five rows, to walk between. Then I use a sprinkler as often as needed to keep moist, and try to keep weeded. Since I don't use a sprouting method, germination for some seeds will take over a month, but most are up within a couple of weeks. As far as germination rates go, I would say approximately 75-80 percent over all, but many crosses will be 100%, and I have had a few with zero. Around the end of June, I will use Preen to help with weeds, and add 16-16-16 slow release BB's. I plan on switching to a higher N product, since I placed last year seeds were they would be watered with the farm field irrigation that has high doses of N ran through it, and had over 50% bloom in one year 😀 rather than the 2-3 years it took before. I also planted a few crosses I purchased off the LA last winter in pots with potting soil and bottom watered them until they were about 6-8" high, and then transplanted them into seedling bed. This was also done outside. I have animals occasionally get out and go into the seedling beds, and just wanted to give these a little extra care in starting.
I'm sure I could get better germination rates with a little more work, and starting in the house, but I only have so much time available, and space in our house is limited, not to mention, lots of young curios children.
Good luck,
Gale
