The lily is one of the most popular flowering plants in the world.
It has grown for centuries as a symbol of beauty and innocence.
Today, it remains an important botanical crop because it is not only beautiful but also very useful. The lily plant provides its name from the resemblance of its flowers to those found in the genus Lilium, which contains more than 300 varieties of lilies.
The wild form of the lily exists only in central and eastern Asia and many parts of Africa.
It was originally domesticated in South Asia, probably around 5,000 years ago. By today’s standards, however, this is still a very early cultivation phase.
The cultivation phase accelerated rapidly over the next few thousand years and by about 2,000 years ago, we see evidence of extensive cultivation throughout much of India and China as well as some other parts of eastern Asia such as Korea and Japan (Honda et al., 1999).
Today, there are more than 70 species of true lilies; 16 wild or naturalized species are also cultivated as ornamentals in temperate regions worldwide.
Most cultivated species belong to two genera: Lilium (lily) or Sternbergia (champagne cup). Collecting seeds requires special care because each flower closes soon after pollination or shortly before seed dispersal begins.
You can collect seeds from insect-pollinated flowers anytime after they have opened but before they have fully closed at dusk. Collecting seeds at this
Where are the seeds in a lily?
The seeds are located in the central disk of each flower.
The flowers close before dispersal.
Collecting seeds requires special care, so it is important to identify the right time to collect them. The flowers open at dusk, and seed collection is best done when they are fully open but before they close completely (Mulligan & Veldkamp, 2010).
Do lilies self-seed?
Lilies are self-pollinating plants so the seeds you collect aren’t likely to be from the same lily. Lilies can self-pollinate but not all species of lilies do.
To increase seed production, these flowers need to cross-pollinate.
This requires different types of lilies with different blooming times.
It’s best to collect seeds from multiple plants to increase your chances of getting at least some seeds from the variety you are after (Honda et al., 1999).
Should you remove seed pods from lilies?
If you want to collect seeds from lilies, it is important to remove the seed pods from the flower. This will ensure that all of the flowers in a clump are open and ready for collection.
Removing the seed pods before they are fully closed ensures that you don’t harm the plant with your handling;
you also have time to collect seeds before they disperse.
The seed pod is an alternate way for lilies to disperse their seeds. These pods are green and look similar to those of a dandelion.
They develop inside of the flower just below the stamens and just above where seeds would be attached if there was another pollination event (Honda et al., 1999).
How long does it take to grow a lily from seed?
The lily grows from seed in about three to four weeks.
The time it takes to grow a lily from seed depends on the variety of the lily.
It can take anywhere from three to four weeks for the seeds to develop into a plant.
This is because each species has different needs and requirements, so the time it takes is variable. Generally, though, it will take between three and four weeks for a germinated seedling to grow into a plant.
You can speed up the process by planting the seeds in soil that has been heated to about 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit).
This will help encourage germination.
How do you know when lily seeds are mature?
One way to tell if lily seeds are mature is to look at the seed pod. The pod will be green and will contain seeds that are dark brown or black.
The pod will be located just below the stamens and just above where the seed would be attached if there was another pollination event.
If you wait until the seed pod is fully closed, it will be too late to collect the seeds.
Another way to tell if the seeds are mature is to gently squeeze the seed pod.
If it pops open and the seeds spill out, they are mature and ready to be collected
What is the best way to store lily seeds?
The best way to store lily seeds is in a cool, dry place. Seeds can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four years.
Make sure to label the container with the date of collection and the type of lily. This will help you keep track of when you need to replant the seeds.
You can also store lily seeds in a cool, dry place such as a garage or basement.
Conclusion
Lily seeds can be a little tricky to collect, but with the right knowledge and technique, it can be done.
It is important to remove the seed pods from the flowers and store the seeds in a cool, dry place. With a little patience, you can grow your lilies from seed.
