Need planting advice

I'm not an experienced lily grower--I've had a number of asiatic lilies in my garden for several years. Normally, I would plant them in September (or even later) in my zone. I just received some new bulbs from someone in a totally different zone, and the bulbs have 1-2" of new growth on them. Should I go ahead and plant them now, and let them continue to grow? Or should I try to hold off planting them til fall, and let them grow up in the spring? TIA for your advice.

They're trying to grow just now?


This message was edited Aug 18, 2009 11:57 PM

Yes, some of the bulbs have 1-2" of new growth just starting to poke up--these look as though they were freshly dug, not dried and stored like bulbs I've purchased in the past.

They're on their own schedule, meaning they'll do what they want regardless of our wishes. I'd go ahead and plant them but pinch the buds to save energy for next year, but lets see what better minds have to say.

What zone did they come from?

I think Zone 7 (not sure a or b).

sounds like a Surprise Lily ((aka: naked lady)) mine started sprouting in the truck ride back from Kansas, and when I planted them, IN THREE DAYS, I had blooms!!!

I would just plant them too. IIf they were from someone rather than a company, no doubt they are freshly dug. Chances are they will not continue to sprout in our cooler weather. Do not plant them so sprouts are reaching soil surface. Plant them as you normally would, 5-6 inches deep (from the base of the bulb), or deeper if they are very large bulbs. If the bulb is made up of "leaves" like this: http://www.northstarlilysociety.com/howtodividelilies.htm then it is a true lily. If the bulb looks more like a narrowish onion, then it is an Surprise lily.