Yes, you can grow us from seed! From my point of view, a daylily seed, I am a tiny capsule of immense potential, containing the genetic blueprint for a completely new and unique plant. Unlike my mother plant, which can be divided to create identical clones, I will grow into something entirely original. I am small, black, and hard-shelled, designed to endure a period of dormancy until conditions are perfect for my germination. Inside my shell, I hold the energy and instructions needed to sprout, but I require specific signals from my environment to break this dormancy and begin my life.
My hard outer coat is a protective barrier that must be softened. In the wild, I would naturally experience a cold, damp winter underground. To successfully grow me, you must replicate this process, called cold stratification. Place me in a damp medium like moist peat moss, sand, or even a damp paper towel. Seal me in a plastic bag and place me in your refrigerator (not the freezer!) for approximately four to six weeks. This cold, moist period convinces me that winter has passed and it is now safe to emerge and grow when warmth returns.
After my stratification, I am ready for warmth and soil. Sow me on the surface of a fine, well-draining seed-starting mix, gently pressing me in for good contact, but do not bury me deeply as I need some light to trigger germination. Keep my soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place my container in a warm, bright location. With the right balance of moisture, warmth (around 70°F or 21°C), and light, I will absorb water, swell, and crack my shell. A tiny radicle (root) will emerge first, digging down to anchor me and seek nutrients, followed by my cotyledons (seed leaves) reaching for the light to begin photosynthesis.
As a young seedling, I am incredibly vulnerable. My true leaves, which resemble slender grass blades, will soon follow the cotyledons. My root system is still delicate and requires a careful balance of moisture; too much will rot my roots, and too little will cause me to wither and die. Please provide me with bright, indirect light to grow strong and avoid becoming leggy. Once I have developed several true leaves and look sturdy, you can carefully transplant me into my own small pot to continue building my strength without competition.
This is where your patience is truly tested. Unlike divisions that may flower in their first season, I am starting from absolute scratch. My first year is dedicated entirely to growth—establishing a robust root system and generating foliage. I will spend my energy storing nutrients in my roots for the future. I will not flower in my first year. In my second year, I will grow larger and stronger, and I may send up a small scape (flower stalk) with a few blooms. It is typically in my third or even fourth year that I will reach my full potential, presenting you with my unique, never-before-seen flowers, a reward for your patience and care.
