How to Pollenate Day Lillies
- 1). Gently rub the pollen from the anther with a cotton swab, or cut off the entire anther and place it into a resealable container. The anther is the sac at the end of the stamen stalk, which extends from the flower petals. Pollen is ready to collect when it appears fluffy and dry. If the pollen is not ready when the anther is collected, store it in a resealable container and place it in the refrigerator for a few days.
- 2). Dip a cotton swab into the pollen, and brush it onto the stamen of the pod parent. If using the anther, hold the stem and rub it onto the stamen. The stamen appears as three closed lobes that will open when it is receptive. The stamen should be slightly moist for the pollen to adhere.
- 3). Watch for the pod parent to grow fatter in a few days. This is a sign that the pollination worked and it is producing a pod and seeds. Harvest seeds once the pod has turned brown. Label the pods and keep in a cool, dry place. There should be 20 to 100 seeds in each pod, which will bloom in a year or two.