Growing Lilies from Seed Presentation

Growing Lilies from Seed
Presented by Dennis Fitzgibbons
March 2010
AGENDA
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Why Grow Lilies from Seed
Type of Seed Germination
Seed Preparation
Containers/Seed Flats
Soil Amendments
Sowing the Seeds
Germination & Care
Types of Light
Fertilizers/Fungicides / Additives
Questions and Answers
Why grow lilies from seed?
• It’s an economical way to grow large
quantities of lilies
• You can combine traits of your favorite lilies –
Hybridizing
• Lilies grown from seed adapt to local climate
• It’s a rewarding hobby
• You can garden through the dreary winter
months
Type of Seed Germination
• Epigeal or “quick-type” seed (Asiatics and
Trumpets)
– L. lancifolium (syn.tigrinum), L. cernuum, L. davidii, L.
maximowiczii, L. macultum, L. hollandicum, L amabile,
L. pumilum, L. concolor, and L. bulbiferum . Epigeal
trumpet lily species: L. leucanthum, L. regale, L.
sargentiae, L sulphureum, L. rosthornii and L. henryi
and their hybrids
– Eipgeal types, when crossed with a Hypogeal types,
are the dominant germination type
Type of Seed Germination
• Hypogeal or “slow type” seed (Orientals and
Martagons)
– L auratum, L. speciosum, L. nobilissimum, L.
rubellum, L. alexandrae, and L. japonicum and
Martagon species L Martagon, L hansonii, L
medeoloides, and L tsingtauense and their
hybrids
Seed Preparation
• 20 minute soak in 10% Clorox, or household
bleach, solution
• Rinse and soak in tap water, changing water
frequently for first day or two
• After first day or two, change water daily up to
a week
• Watch for germination
Containers / Seed Flats
• Must be 4 to 5 inches deep
• Must have holes for drainage
• Anything goes within the above criteria!
Soil Amendments
• Needs to be soil-less
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Sphagnum Peat
Pine Bark Fines
Vermiculite
Perlite
Granite Grit
• Typical mix is 2 parts Sphagnum and 1 part Vermiculite or Perlite
• My Mix
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2 parts sphagnum peat moss
1 part vermiculite
1 part perlite
1-part pine bark fines
1 tablespoon of 17-17-17 /6-month slow release fertilizer (per container)
This has worked the best for me holds moisture but aerates and drains well.
– 2 tablespoons lime
Sowing the Seeds
• Fill containers up to an inch below rim
• Place seeds 1 inch apart (many will not
germinate)
• Cover with a half inch of either pine bark
fines or granite grit
• Water thoroughly
• Sprinkle with fungicide
• Cover
Germination
• Keep covered until you see lilies sprouting –
mass germination
• If no sprouting occurs within 3 weeks, place in
refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks and try again
• Keep soil moist, never allow to dry out
completely
• Fertilize at every watering with liquid fertilizer
at half rate
• 12 to 24 hours of light daily
Types of Light
• Natural / South facing window
• Fluorescent
• Mercury Halide 250, 400, 600, 1000 watts
• White light good for growing green growth
• High Pressure Sodium 250, 400, 600, 1000 watts
• Red light good for bud formation
• Combination of Mercury Halide and High
Pressure Sodium lighting is best
Fertilizers / Fungicides and Additives
• Fertilizers
• MiracleGro
• Osmacote
• SuperBloom
• Fungicides
• Root Shield / Organic
• Bayer’s Disease Control Chemical
• Additives
• Cal-Mag / Calcium Magnesium
• Super Thrive
QUESTIONS