Growing Daylilies Together

The biggest mistake a hybridizer can make is to pick the seed pods too early. Just because the seeds inside the pod have turned from white to black does not mean they are mature yet. The color of the seeds is not a safe indication of maturity.

Seeds mature at different times depending on the genetics of the plants, weather and cultural practices.

Visual inspection is the only way to tell if a seed pod is ripe or not. As the seeds inside the pod begin to mature, the seed pod may show signs that the time is getting near. The pod may begin to turn a shade of yellow or tan and start to split open at the top when they are ready. After, approximately 30-40 days from pollination, you should start inspecting the pods daily so that the pods doesn’t not split completely open and spill out the seeds.

The best time to pick your seed pods is after they have split open and you can see the tiny black seeds in the pod.

If the threat of killer frosts or frosts in general are near, then you may gently squeeze the seed pod and if it easily pops open then you are ready to pick. If you are breeding late blooming daylilies you may have to cut off the scape, put it into a container of water and bring inside until the pods mature.

_{Updated November 16, 2009}

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Juliany said:

	Catching the seeds Someone had advised me to cut a piece of stocking (ladies sheer works well), tie off on one end and then slip over the pod and use a twisty to tie off the other end by the scape being careful not to knock the pod off. Great when you can't monitor the pods and don't want to lose any seeds.
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November 17, 2009
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