Peace lilies are popular indoor plants that have an elegant look and are also low on maintenance. Some know the stunning white blossoms and rich green leaves. But, few understand the importance of peace lily seeds in its life cycle. This comprehensive guide will help you learn more about peace lily seeds, their growth as well as how to propagate them.
They are the reproductive structures produced by a peace lily (Spathiphyllum). These develop after the flowering and pollination of the plant has occurred. Insects pollinate wild peace lilies. But, when cultivating indoors, this is done almost always through manual intervention for successful seed-bearing. The seeds are small and can be found within the fruit which develops after pollination occurs and the flowers fade away.
Although peace lilies are often propagated by means of division, growing them from seeds is an uncommon but equally satisfying method. However, it requires a lot of patience since peace lilies are slow-growing plants and seed propagation may take longer than other methods. But, you can start growing peace lilies directly from seeds if you want to see the plant through all its stages of life.
The first thing that should be done when planning to harvest peace lily seeds is giving the flowers time for pollination. In case your plant is outside and has some pollinators, it will do so naturally, or one can use something small like a brush in order to move pollen from one flower to another.
Once pollinated, the flowers will start developing a fruiting structure which contains the seeds. It is crucial that this structure ripens fully before trying to collect the seeds. Starting out green and bulbous, this fruit gradually turns brown as long as it keeps maturing.
When the fruit has dehydrated and become brown, carefully open it and remove the seeds. The seeds are tiny; therefore, it is better to work above a plate or a sheet of paper to avoid losing them. When the harvest is done, get rid of any leftover flesh on the seeds and let them dry out for several days before planting them.
Growing peace lilies from seedlings takes time but with good conditions you can grow your plants from seedling to maturity successfully. Here’s how:
For germination, peace lily seeds require well-drained soil mix that is rich in nutrients. A mixture of sphagnum peat moss, perlite and vermiculite works fine. Fill a seed tray or small pots with this medium and moisten the soil lightly before sowing the seeds.
The next step is sowing peace lily seeds after preparing potting media. Scatter them all over the surface of soil making sure they are spread evenly apart. Then use a thin layer of soil that will merely hold them in place but not cover them too much.
To germinate, peace lily seeds require a warm, moist environment. Make use of clear plastic lid or plastic wrap to create greenhouse effect on top of seed tray or pots. Put the tray at a warm location preferably with temperature ranging between 70-75°F (21-24°C). Keep the soil uniformly damp but never water logged because excessive moisture promotes rotting in seeds.
The time it takes for germination to occur ranges from several weeks to certain months depending on conditions and how viable are the seeds. Keep checking the soil wetness over this period. Afterward, when they have sprouted and little seedlings begin emerging, remove the cover paper and keep on attending to them as they grow into young plants.
Your peace lily seeds will need continuous attention after germination in order to become healthy plants. Here are some tips for taking care of your young peace lilies:
Peace lily seedlings require bright and indirect light as they grow. Don’t place them under direct sunlight, which could burn the fragile leaves. A location adjacent to a window that filters out sunlight is perfect.
To make your seedlings grow, it is important to maintain adequate humidity as peace lilies do well in humid environments. In case you live in a dry climate, think about using a humidity tray or misting your plants frequently to keep the moisture levels high.
Seedlings require little fertilizer but once they get bigger you can start giving them diluted balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Be cautious not to over-fertilize since peace lilies are highly sensitive to excessive nutrient concentrations.
Seedlings, once they have reached a few inches in height and produced some leaves, can be moved into their own pots. Get potting mix that drains well similar to the one used for germination. Eventually, as they grow bigger, your plant may need to be repotted into larger containers to give room for their root system to spread.
While peace lilies typically propagate by dividing them, growing from seeds brings about several advantages:
Satisfaction of Nurturing: By growing peace lilies from seeds, you are able to see them through the entire life cycle all the way from seedling stage until it becomes an adult; this makes the process more personal.
Cost-Effective: When compared with buying mature plants or divisions, seeds usually cost less hence seed propagation can easily become affordable when you want to increase your collection.
Genetic Diversity: Growing lilies from seeds enhances genetic diversity resulting different leaf shapes and sizes and bloom colors.
Using peace lily seeds is another possible way to grow these lovely plants. It may need you to be patient and pay attention to the details, but the outcome will be a blossoming plant that you have taken care of from its earliest phase. This journey is exciting for peace lilies’ seedlings grown from seeds, whether one is an experienced gardener or not at all. By providing them with proper care and conditions, these young peace lilies can turn into beautiful household plants that will decorate your house for many years ahead.
The Peace Lily, with its elegant white blooms and lush green leaves, purifies the air and symbolizes nature’s calming beauty.
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