From our perspective, reproduction is a matter of survival and dispersal. We lilies (members of the genus *Lilium*) possess two primary strategies. The first, and the one you are inquiring about, is sexual reproduction through seeds. This process combines genetic material from two parent plants, resulting in offspring that are genetically unique. This diversity is our strength, allowing our lineage to adapt to changing environments. The second method is asexual, through our underground bulbs. These bulbs produce offsets, or bulblets, which are genetic clones of the parent. While this is a faster and more reliable method for you to propagate a specific lily, it does not offer the genetic variation that seeds do.
Our journey to becoming a seed begins with pollination. We rely on insects, particularly bees, to transfer pollen from our anthers to our stigma. Once a pollen grain lands, it sends a tube down our style to the ovary, where fertilization occurs. Over several weeks, the ovary swells into a seed pod. You must be patient; this pod will turn brown and begin to split open at the top when the seeds inside are mature. These seeds are not like those of a tomato or bean; they are typically flat, papery, and arranged in stacked rows within the pod. Harvesting them too early means the embryo within is not fully developed and will not be viable.
This is a critical point you must understand. Our seeds generally fall into two categories based on their germination needs, which is a built-in survival mechanism. Some of us are "immediate epigeal." This means our seeds sprout quickly after planting, sending a cotyledon (first leaf) above the soil surface. Others, and this is more common, are "delayed hypogeal." Our seeds require a complex sequence of conditions to break dormancy. First, a warm, moist period (approx. 60-70°F for 2-3 months) encourages root development. Then, a cold, moist period (a refrigerator at 40°F for another 2-3 months, mimicking winter) is necessary to trigger stem and leaf growth. Only after this chilling period will we sprout when returned to warmth.
When you provide the correct conditions, here is what happens from our seed's point of view. First, moisture penetrates our hard coat, signaling it is time to awaken. During the warm period, a small root (radicle) emerges and begins to grow, anchoring us into the medium. The cold period that follows sends a biochemical signal that it is safe to send up a shoot, as winter has passed. Finally, when warmth returns, a single small leaf pushes toward the light. This first year is dedicated almost entirely to building a strong, tiny bulb underground. We are gathering energy through our small leaves to prepare for the seasons ahead.
You must manage your expectations. A lily grown from a seed is a long-term project. Unlike our bulb-grown counterparts, which may flower in their first season, we seedlings are investing all our energy into bulb development. It will typically take us between 2 to 4 years, and sometimes even up to 7 years, to store enough energy to produce our first true flowering stem. This lengthy juvenile period is why many gardeners prefer bulb division, but for the dedicated cultivator, growing from seed is the only way to create exciting new hybrids and preserve the genetic diversity that is so crucial to our species' future.
