Question
Hi, I've collected several seeds of different crosses of daylilies, and I was wondering when to start growing them. I kept them dry for 3 weeks, and stored them in the fridge with a little water in zip-lock bags. Now it's late February and I was thinking of starting them, but I live in zone 3-4 so there still is not much sun out, and we don't have much access to fluorescent light. So if I start them now, could they die from lack of sun? And how should i grow them to have the highest success rate? (I mean preventing fungus and insects from the tiny seedlings.) Also how should I water them, and what seed starting mic should i let them grow in?

Answer
Hi Mini,
Thanx for your question.  If you don't have flourescent lighting available, wait to start your seeds until a week or two before the last frost.  I'm concerned about the idea of having seeds in a little water in ziploc bags.  This could cause rotting and can actually "drown" the seeds.  In the future, the best way to cold treat other than outdoors is by placing the seeds in a damp but not soggy paper towel and placing this inside a plastic baggy and then putting in the fridge.  At any rate, you can plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep.  They usually sprout within 21 days if kept warm.  They will look like grass. If you have a window that gets strong eastern or southern sunlight, you can start your seed a few weeks earlier.  They will need lots of light in order to grow well.  After they have gotten a few inches long, you can transplant to separate cells or separate pots.  After the last frost, place the potted plants in the shade for 10 days and then you can plant them in full sun.  I just use regular potting soil.  Nothing fancy.  If you keep the plants ventillated (some folks use a small oscillating fan to keep a breeze going on the plants.), you should not have any trouble with damping off disease or other funguses.  You can also place a light layer of milled sphagnum moss (available at most large nurseries) which has  a great effect of reducing or eliminating fungal diseases.  Water enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy.  I hope this helps.
Tom