Lilies: Another first!!!, 1 by beaker_ch

beaker_ch wrote:
Most lilies bloom once and then the show is over. There are a few Orienpets that put out a second and sometime a third bloom. Silk Road is one of those that do. However, by doing so, the plant doesn't put energy into creating bulblets, therefore, the plant doesn't multiply as fast as an Asiatic would.

As bulbs mature, they put out more blooms each year. Therefore, the bloom time becomes extended as the bulbs mature and multiply. I have a neighbor with a little patch of yellow Asiatics that bloom for a good month or so. When you see the number of blooms indicated in the catalogs, it usually refers to a mature bulb. It may take a few years for the bulb to reach that blooming point, so don't be disappointed with your first lilies.

Gardening, in general, requires alot of patience. I just waited three years for a Martagon to bloom and then it was all over in a week. You need to plan ahead with lilies. Usually, I just buy just one Asiatic and one LA because I know that it will readily multiple. WIth the Trumpets, Orienpets and Orientals, I usually buy multiple bulbs because they don't multiply as fast.

Don't worry about asking what you may consider dumb questions. People are not born with the knowledge of gardening, it's a learned skill just like bowling. I'm always asking questions because that's how I learn.

BTW: I use to feel the same way about daylilies. But one day I saw one that was quite beautiful and I was hooked. I think the more you get into gardening, you start seeing the beauty of all different kinds of plants you would never have considered before. Daylilies can be a wonderful accent plant for lilies. Here's a pic of some lilies getting ready to bloom with Stella de Oro.