I have asked about starting rain lily seeds in water. This has been
covered on this list in the past. It works for most flat papery seeds.

lilies and amarylids with flat papery seeds.

Method

i use deli containers with lods from deli. You can also use the small
ketchup cups at fast food places for small lots. Punch a small hole in

with an awl pr nail. Use cool tap water and dump in the seeds and cover
with lid. Fish out any non seed pieces- these typically rot.

Put containers in light but not direct sun. I have found Temp is not an
issue for rain lilies other than not too hot or too cold. I start mine on
the shaded porch in summer, garage or in house in winter. If the water
turns color or if you see mold, flush and replace the water and remove

mold.

Rain lily Germination takes a few days to 2 weeks, some longer. Fresh

is faster than old seed. When you see a radical or even later when true
leaf you can plant in your medium. I water in with a mist bottle on med
flow stream and keep up the humidity (mist or place a plastic baggie over
the pot) until they seem to have taken root. Then take off baggie and

on. In a year or two the rain lilies will outgrow the 4” pot and bloom.
Some will bloom faster like Habranthus tubispathus and show up when you
don't expect it

I have tested thIs water method side by side with the same seed lot using
clean pre-moistened seed starting mix in a clean small pot and a clean
plastic baggie over top. The water method is far superior with very

rot, Except for old dead seed will rot.

Many flat papery seed just rot on the seed mix. (Unless you don't want
the seed in that pot, than they germinate fine). I have also tried side

side with papery seed set on edge with the pointy side individually
inserted slightly into medium, this is a lot of fine work and not as easy
as the water method.

Some flat paper seed like tulips fritilaries and some lilies (Martagons,
Caucasians, Japanese, Korean, Chinese mountain lilies, and American

and hybrids need cool to cold or fluctuating temps to germinate so these
should be started in water in the fall and left in a place that gets

at night and warms up in the day, but not in direct sun. Some don't even
need or want light to germinate. You can use the refrigerator for 3-4
months for a cold period any time of the year but don't put seed near
fruit, the fruit gas will kill the seed.

Moist paper towels in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator also works but

need to monitor them so they don't grow through the paper or start leaves
without light.

I am sure many readers will have alternative germination methods. I love
to hear about these methods.

Rimmer de Vries
SCent Kentucky
Zone 6b

wrote:

– do you just float the seeds in water till the radical emerges? Does

work with other seeds, like Formosa lily?

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