Henry's (not-so-nice) Surprise

Hi everyone -- I put 12 bulbs of Henry's Surprise in last fall. 9 showed up this spring. Of those, one got knocked over by a squirrel or a dog, or both. The remaining 8 were doing fine, setting buds, buds plumping up, and then a week or two ago, the buds on all of them started aborting, one by one. Only a few buds left, and I have low hopes for them. I doubt I'll see a bloom.

It's been a crazy year, lily-wise, wet and cold, like it has been for many of us. I've had a lot of no-shows. But nothing like this. Is it something I've done? Why does Henry hate me? The foliage looks absolutely fine; great, actually, except for a few bug bites. Stems seem strong too. Would appreciate any thoughts. Here's a picture of a typical one.

here's another. Here one of the buds is aborting even as it's opening.

Right off hand I would say that if it is just a bud or two on a stalk and the foliage looks good from top to bottom and the remaining buds look ok then don't worry about it. I was just out in my garden today picking the likes of those off various lilies. Maybe some lilies are more prone to this behavior; I don't know.

Please post again when the good buds open up. I haven't seen Henry in a while; I killed mine when I planted it in an area that is too wet in the winter :-(

Thanks, and sorry to hear about your Henry. Thing about this is it's happening on every Henry's Surprise, all eight of them. I've watched the buds start to wither from the bottom up. I can tell when a bud starts puckering that it's about to happen. Some of the plants have already lost all their buds. It sure has been wet this year. I suppose this is how Henry protests. Hope I'll have at least one bloom to post! Thanks again...

I've read that bud blast is caused by everything from wild swings in the weather temps (we've had that!) to botrytis, thrips, poor air circulation and under / over watering.

So sorry to hear about all your Henrys. I lost mine too, a couple years ago.

The rabbits decided my Henrys tasted extra good this year - ate them all.

Sounds like old Henry has it rough all over. First he gets bud blast, then he disappears, likely because he was eaten. What a horrible story.

Wickerparker my hope is that it strengthens your plant for next year, since it appears they will not flower for you this year. Know that I have had several bud blasts this year and I really have no idea why. The weather patterns are strange as it is the middle of July and I needed a jacket yesterday. The length of time flowering has been wonderful though.

Hi Wicker,

My lilium artistics did iy too. I ended up with one flower that was presentable. Since it's my first lily of the season, and the first lily I ever bought, I was less than thrilled. And my regales, while numerous, were about 20% smaller.

On the other hand, like Tracey, my trumpets are lasting forever. Now to see what the orientals do.

Donna

Thanks everyone -- dang bunnies! Henry does seem to get it on all fronts. So many casualties! I wonder if it has something to do with how late he emerges. Still tender and tasty and vulnerable when everyone else is toughening up. Hard to complain this year, because, as you say, there's a definite upside to the cool temps. Blooms holding, and everything in general still looking fresh, including the gardeners.

Got one!

Now that is one nice 'Henry's Suprise'

What a beauty! Thanks for sharing!

Hooray!

It really is a lovely lily. Hope it likes it better here next year!

Henry gave me a nice surprise - one that the rabbits missed!

I am just in love with my Henry's Suprise..I hope it multiplies readily!!

beautiful goldfinch. I only got one bloom for 12 bulbs this year, but will definitely be in love if he comes back stronger next year! It's a very photogenic bloom.

It does photograph nicely. I found three stems of it in my garden and all have buds - I'm so excited!