I am transplanting several dayliliy seedlings. The seeds were given to me by Shakespeare's Garden. (Thank you). I would like to keep them in a pot to next year. But I'm new to daylillies and don't know how fast they grow. Can I keep them in these (see pic) or should I go for a bigger pot? Thanks

Magiccraftcl
I grow a lot of seedlings in plastic cups, and they do pretty well, not as good as in the ground, but you should be fine if you can remember to keep them watered. Mine grow outside in the hot sun with afternoon shade but they need to be watered every other day (not saying they get that) but they would like to have it. Or you could put them in trays of water and not have to water as often. My cups are just sunk down into the small seedling beds I set aside for cups. Adding some fertilizer, liquid or granular occasionally will also help them.

My plan is to put the pots in the ground too so they'll have ground moisture. Then I have to fence them in so the deers don't get them. I just didn't want to repot all of them this fall.

Most of mine are in 2.5 qt containers by the end of 4 months. They might be crowded in that size pot at a year; don't know, mine are in the ground before then.

Firstly, what is your motivation to keep them potted till next year? I ask, because you may think that will be better for them, may help them to survive. But it really won't. I would wait till early fall, they will have probably outgrown those pots by then anyhow. Then would plant them. Minus the pots. Freeze/thaw cycles for a potted seedling, even sunk in the ground, would be risky. Just my two cents. Lovely, husky little seedlings BTW!

I don't have the freeze/thaw cycle here. That is why it is good to get responses from similar zones! Still, I would think the cups would actually provide protection from that very problem. Some of my seedlings by the time they are removed do have roots circling the bottom of the cups, but I usually trim them and the seedlings do fine.

I do know of one hybridizer who over-winters in a zone like ours. He overwinters many of his seedlings in those big Dollar Store containers. He drills holes 4 inches up the sides for drainage. This is Brian Reeder, and according to his blog, he loses a bunch every winter. But, he starts a few thousand seedlings, so feels it is worth the loss to be left with the strongest. Not for me, those that are born in my kitchen are getting every break I can give them. Larry, I'm so envious of your zone. Lotsa bloom for a very long time.

beenthere said:Firstly, what is your motivation to keep them potted till next year? I ask, because you may think that will be better for them, may help them to survive. But it really won't. I would wait till early fall, they will have probably outgrown those pots by then anyhow. Then would plant them. Minus the pots. Freeze/thaw cycles for a potted seedling, even sunk in the ground, would be risky. Just my two cents. Lovely, husky little seedlings BTW!

I did think it would protect them more. Again new to daylilies and not sure how fast or slow they grow. After reading comments here n some research, I'll put them in the ground in the fall. It will give me time to prepare the area. I have about 18 seedlings. One is white so I'll see how he progresses. Thank you all, I'm learning a lot on this site.

How far apart would you transplant seedlings? (in the Fall?)

I hate to break it to you, but the white (albino) one won't live. No matter how you care for it. Sorry. Most seem to plant 4 to 8 inches apart, initially.

Some will die, some will be stunted, some might get huge. But with that few to work with I don't think spacing is that big a deal. How long do you plan to leave them in the same spot? Trying to dig out daylilies any closer than 8 inches I think would be a problem, I space mine a foot apart and after a couple of years they are pretty tight. I do think I tend to space my plants further apart more than most, but sometimes I wish they were further apart.

Got it..