What do I do with rain lily seeds ??

19 years ago

I bought some rain lily seed, not bulbs, amd I don't know what to do with it.

I thought I would just scatter them in the garden and see if they pop up by themselves but I think I will plant them in a pot instead now.

So do they need bog like condidtions like I am guessing they do --or well drained?

Do they need the sun to germinate or do I bury them?

Will they take a long time to germinate?

Will they come back next year? I live in Connecticut so of course there will be plenty of frosts to kill anything that does not belong in this climate.

Thanks for the info in advance. I can't find a fricking thing about these darnable things anywhere on the net -- other than just pictures.

No information.

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Comments (5)

kayman
19 years ago
Rain Lilies as in Zephyranthes?

Not very frost hardy (one ref I have says not to be left in the ground where temps get below 25F) so probably best in a pot kept just frost-free for you. The hardiest species are supposed to be atamasca, candida and grandiflora.

They like bright light and rich soil with plenty of moisture but not overly wet in winter. The non-evergreen ones benefit from a slightly drier resting period followed by a drenching to encourage a flush of flowers.

Those I've grown from seed have taken the usual 3 years or so to flower. The seeds are winged, which is usually a clue not to bury things too deeply. Scatter them over the surface and then lightly cover with potting sand or similar - just enough to anchor them in place. Use a potting mix that is free-draining but moisture retentive, something like equal parts of sand, peat and loam.

Good Luck
mccommas
Original Author
19 years ago
thanks, I will try that but it might have been less trouble to get the bulbs. I had no idea it would take so long.
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kayman
19 years ago
Bulbs are easier, but seed is cheaper. Seed-raised bulbs will each be slightly different, so you should have a longer flowering season and a bit of variation in the flowers too. As well, by raising them yourself you'll select for those which do best in the conditions you can provide.
Carletta
18 years ago
One further piece of info - if the seed are several months old, they may not have a very good rate of germination.
mccommas
Original Author
18 years ago
Carletta: that may be the reason I got not a single sprout. Nothing. Oh well. Nothing ventured; nothing gain.

I like what Kayman said. that would be nice to have varying shades and longer blooming season.

I have no room in my garden anyway. Its full.

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What do I do with rain lily seeds ??

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kayman

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What do I do with rain lily seeds ??

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