Help with Lily Bulbs.

[carolann]

Help please.
Last year I grew some Lily Bulbs called Grand Cru and they where in clay pipes, this year I have decided to make a Lily bed in the front garden, can I lift the Grand Cru bulbs anytime and re-plant them in the new Lily bed, or is there a special time for doing this task. Thanks in advance for any help on this, I have looked in my books but cant find anything about moving them only planting/propagating bulbs. I dont want to loose them as they where so nice last year.

[jean]

Hi Carolann, you can lift you lily bulbs and store them in dry peat/compost as long as you keep them cool and they don't get too damp. When the soil warms up a bit you can then plant them in your bed and they should be flowering in June/July

[Tig]

I have loads of lilies growing in containers. They remain in the pots by the back of the house over winter. Every other year I renew the compost .. I take all the bulbs out around mid-March (carefully - not damaging the roots or shoots if they have started to grow), shake the old compost off and replace and re-space them. It is also an opportunity to see how many vine weevil grubs are eating them You should be able to lift and transplant yours, just make sure they are planted deep enough with the grit under the bulb. I tend to plant mine deeper than recommended - 7-8" down if I can.

x Tig

[carolann]

Thanks girls for the help I will remove them carefully in March, by then the bed should be ready and they can be planted with all the rest of them.

[Mowhay]

Just agreeing with Tig, I repot my lillies in March, just whenever the weather treats us with some warmth and sunshine

[Penny]

Question about lily's......is it true that if you seperate them or disturb the roots, they wont flower this year??
I moved alot of mine around last Fall, and was told after that because i have disturbed the roots, they wont flower now this coming year??

[Mowhay]

penny, mine were in pots about two feet x two x two and had been in there for about three years so last year on March 5th I emptied the pots and wrestled the bulbs out of the knot of roots. I re-planted them in three pots in new compost and had a lovely display. This was with the shorter ones (Orange Pixie I think) and the tall ones ( Casablanca)

[Penny]

Oh really, thats good to know then, so there's hope for mine afterall.
Thanks!

[Ladygardener]

Another thing about lillies, especially if you're moving them anyhow. You can peel off the clove like thingys from them and plant them and they'll grow into more lillies if you plant them and leave them for a couple of years.

[Penny]

Ok, so when you say clove like things, you mean the papery covering on the bulbs correct??

Thingys's....gotta love that word ;D ;D ;D

[Chuckles]

I do similar to Tig as all mine are in pots, I only have orientals (smelly ones) Every year I boost the top few inches of compost with new bought compo or home made. If the pots seem to be getting congested I totally replace the compo, mostly in year 3 or longer. As well as feeding throughout the flowering season I continue to feed until the leaves and stems begin to look poor this helps the bulb build up ready for the next season. I also don't let the flowers go to seed either as this takes goodness out of the bulb.

I've done the clove thingys ;D they are called scales. They are the layers that make up the bulb Penny, not the papery skin bit. You can take about 6 from a fat healthy bulb, just gently break then off and bury the broken end in a seed try or similar of moist vermiculite. Keep them at room temp for up to 10 weeks and you will have little bulblets appear. Once these have sprouted pot them up and keep them frost free for a couple of years and you have bulbs for free

I'm just wondering where mine are now, or rather which pots at the side of the GH are Lilys, must learn to label stuff

[Penny]

Thank you very much, i will try that when i seperate them again, i do have a few more come Spring, so your tips will come in handy