Does any of my fellow Georgians know how to grow toad lillies from seed??? I would love to know about it,or is it worth it?? BTW,when do you know when the seeds are ready??Thank you for responding,Mike
toad lillies from seed
They self-sow and you should have plenty if you want to let nature take control. Then after they put on a little size, you can dig them up and move them to where you want.
The seed pods will turn brown and split. You may just want to gather them after the first couple of pods split. I would sow them in good garden soil (in a pot or bed) and let them sit outside for winter (they probably need stratifying but then I never sowed them). Cover with grit or small gravel if you put them in a pot to discourage squirrels and other pests. They aren't as weedy as some other self-sowers.
OK - here's one I know!
First - there are many varieties of toad lily but they basically fall into two groups: the kind where the plant puts up a stalk with many buds and the kind where the buds form all the way down the stem.
Both kinds will make seed pods. The first group will make a long slender pod and when the seeds are ready, you'll see the pod turn brown and actually be able to see the many tiny seeds in the pod through the light. These are ready to pull and you can scatter the seeds or you can put them into trays and grow them under lights through the winter.
Second group: bigger seed pods that will break open when ready. You can get a plastic bag, cut the stem and shake the seeds into the bag. There are a blue billion seeds on each stalk!
I took seeds from my first Tricyrtis Hirta (second group) in the fall and then in early spring/late winter I spread the seed heavily on "seed starter" soil - I spread it heavily as I thought since the plant was expensive, the seeds were probably difficult. Nothing happened. Other seeds were popping up but not these. So I covered the pyrex dish with plastic wrap and stuck it in the dining room and forgot about it. In another couple of weeks it looked like I had planted grass! I had hundreds of plants. I picked them out, put the seedlings into small pots under my shop lights and later I was hunting for places to plant and still had to give many away.
I love the toads and now have about 10 different kinds. Very pretty flowers.
Sterling
Thank you both,I am going to plant my T. hirta in containers,so as not to loose them,but the others,are growing like mad.Thanks again.Mike