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Our experience is based on
five years of breeding from seed. This sections details the authors approach to
seed production and plant propagation. Seed production in Hemerocallis does not
breed true in the plants because of the significant breeding and crosses. The
cultivars currently available are mixes across species and never breed true, and
are for the most part hybrids. In addition, there is the diploid, tetraploid,
and triploid problem in the genetic makeup of the plants. These will not be
discussed.
The following is the
author's growth plan for seed.
|
Month |
Step |
|
June |
Ensure plants are
watered. Begin crossing on mature plants. General get early bloom from
Orange Prelude and others. |
|
July |
Perform major
crosses. Record parents, day of cross, weather conditions and other
pertinent information on the plants. |
|
August |
Complete final
crosses. |
|
September |
Mid month, begin
collecting seed from mature pods. Wait until pod is just braking open
naturally. All pods seem to mature in the same two week period.
Collect seed in
separate Petri dishes, record date, number of seeds and seed condition.
Place seeds in refrigerator in Petri dishes at 40 F. |
|
October |
Keep seeds cool and
dry for sixty days. |
|
November |
Mid November, take
seed and cold moist stratify. Use perlite and soak in hot water. Place
seeds in hot perlite mixture in separate Petri dishes. Allow to stand
outside for two hours in warm mixture. Place in refrigerator at 40 F. |
|
December |
Check on seed to
ensure that it is cool and does not rot. |
|
January |
Early January,
remove seed and place in seed planters. 12 sections of 4 per section.
Use ProMix and have it wetted down for a week prior to transplant. Use
Fertil Grow fungicide in week one to stop damping off. Use water only
for first week.
Have bottom heating
at 72 F. Use 12 hour four unit lamps set 18" above seed flats. Use
basement growing room.
Second week, begin
applying Peters 20-20-20. |
|
February |
Apply a second dose
of Fertil Grow to keep fungicide down. Apply 20-20-20 on every other
day, with fifth being a pure water wash. Monitor growth.
Seeds germinate in
five to fifteen days. We get better germination than most other
operations. Get 85% or better germination rate. Lose about 10% of
germinated seed. Have about 3% achlorotic.
Every three weeks
use Peters 5-50-17 for improved root growth. |
|
March |
Monitor growth and
keep fertilizing the plants. |
|
April |
Take new plants
outside and harden off with a cover of shading material and side covers
to keep wind and frost down as best as possible. New plants will have
strong root growth. Uses larger planters, and be sure to heavily water
before removing. It will keep the plants in tact and will allow removal
of root stock with soil on it.
New plantings will
tolerate some frost but will not take a hard freeze. They are more
severely hit by the bright sun. |
|
May |
Plants are hardened
off and the first fertilizer is applied. Continue to use 20-20-20 liquid
fertilizer. |
The seedlings take two
years to bloom and three years before they can be divided and propagated.
Nursery Propagation
Implications
This section discusses the
production factors associated with these techniques as relates to their use in a
business setting. The techniques discussed are useful in various settings
depending on what the producer wants. The following Table summarizes these
factors.
|
Technique |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Economic Factors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seeds |
Large volume of seed
can be produced.
Propagation is
simple and straight forward.
Labor costs are low. |
Cannot assure
result.
Subject to fungal
infections.
Takes two year
cycle, minimum. |
Acceptance of plant;
$2 plant to $250 plant.
Costs of production. |
|
Cuttings |
Can make many plants
from a single fan.
Costs of production
may be low for full life cycle.
Reproducible
product. |
Requires toxic
chemicals.
May be labor
intensive at cutting stage. |
Materials costs.
Propagation and
growing on sheds needed.
Labor costs. |
|
Micropropagation/
Tissue Culture |
Highest rate of
production. |
High costs per
production run.
Large use of
controlled facilities.
Use of controlled
chemicals.
May not be
reproducible. |
High fixed costs.
Low variable costs. |
|
Rootings |
Simplest system.
Can be done all in
the field.
Lowest costs.
Predictable results. |
Can be lower yield.
To maximize return
may have to use chemicals or eliminate breeding stock. |
Lowest costs per
unit. |
|
Telmarc 
