Growing Lilies from Seed
Lilium can be grown from seed. This is the most satisfactory way to build up a collection quickly. Seed from the species will come true to type; but there can be some variation within the hybrids. Hybrids are doubtful to produce flowers which look like the relative plant, and most likely there will be some variation such as colour, height or even form.
Recently, I have had the opportunity to get some Lilium seed from two sources.
The first is the New Zealand Lily Society and then also the Victorian Lily and Bulb Group, which is an aftermath of the old Australian Lilium Society. This was a wonderful Society of which I was a member for a few years, before I took ill. Unfortunately they no longer exist, which is sad, as their Monthly Bulletin/Newsletters were always full of useful and interesting tips from some of the best Lilium growers in Australia.
It is always a pity to see good organisations go down but the Victorian Group has continued to maintain monthly events and so in December I am off to have a look at their Lilium show, which is being held at a member's home.
In the meantime I experimented with different ways to get seed to germinate. Their has been some discussion on the Lily Site about germination and although I have successfully used the "Flotation" method with other species through the years, I had never sown Lilium in anything other than potting mix. I set about using a few different methods and mediums which included:
Peat Moss
This method was very successful and the seeds, roots and leaves were very easy to see and extract.
Sphagnum
This method was also successful but I found that it was possible for the roots to get entangled in the moss and it was difficult to extract them without breaking. If using Sphagnum, make sure it is chopped up very finely.
Water (flotation) This is an excellent method to use. Some of the seed may not germinate and some may even develop a fungus growth. It is easy to see this and remove any seed not wanted.
Wet paper
This was also an interesting way to germinate the Lily seed. It is important not to let the paper get dry and there is the chance that the root might grow into the paper. It is very important that you do not break the growing roots as you inspect or remove the seed.
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