You can but they can be very deceptive regarding roots. Some have almost no rooting apparent while others have sent down their roots and will pull the bulb down to their correct growing depth (known as Tactile roots): http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/655898/?hl=depth
For any you do relocate, just press them gently but firmly into the soft damp soil.
Let's See New Lilies Sprouting!
The correct term is "contractile roots" which you can find further down in the thread.
The little bulbs that you're seeing at the surface were produced at the stem; they're called bulblets. Since they're only attached to the dry/dying stem, over winter they can heave a bit but that's just my IMHO. You can either pile at little more soil over the top or scoop them up by hand and plant deeper.
If you ever pull up an old stem and find little bulbs on it (which I have, eek!) just stick the stem in a hole and cut the stem near ground level.
Sorry! Thanks for the correction, Moby. I knew I could count on you.
I've found them loose and more or less scattered and also somewhat rooted. As long as they have firm contact with damp soil I (somehow) feel confident they'll be okay.
This has been good reading!
In my experience those little bulbs do better replanted after the mom blooms. When I disturb the mother bulb, they don't bloom as well. I've only had them on asiatics, and they're early bloomers.
Now that it seems to have warmed up, I've got tons of bulbs to plant. The good news: the lilies are a-poppin' even though the daffodils and tulips haven't done much.
Cathy, that is interesting. My lilies are always very late. Well, never earlier than mid summer way after the tulips are done.
Black Beauty stand.
nice looking. I can barely see mine.
Looks like you have some nice hefty stalks coming up there, JM.
This message was edited Apr 11, 2011 7:46 AM
Yes, that's going to be a sea of beauties! I just can't wait.
Looking good!
Here's Monte Negro. These lilies had wonderful blooms that lasted a long time last year.
More lilies that have been coming in the last two weeks.
One more area. I also planted a dozen Toronto lilies that I ordered from Bleek during the lily co-op, and received last week, in a dear friends yard today as a birthday gift to her. I told her it would be the gift that keeps on giving. LOL
I ordered Toronto also and just got them on Monday or Tuesday. I will pot mine until I decide where to put them. :) I also ordered Robina, Black Out and Casa Blanca (can't have enough Casa Blanca!).
I can't have enough of lilies periord. lol Nice job everyone.
I also have Conca d' Or, Dizzy, Orange Art, Citronella, Sphinx, and Tiger Play. I hope the rain we're about to get softens this red clay so that I can amend it and get these bulbs planted this weekend. The bulbs are healthy and have already sprouted in the bags. A big thanks to Bleek for some great looking and inexpensive bulbs.
This message was edited Apr 15, 2011 7:21 AM
I have Conc'd ore and Orange art. Cant wait for the sun to come up so I can see the growth progress.
Ready for these little buds? Oooh yah!
I couldn't resist these 'Dream Catcher' an Asiatic Lily when I went to Wally World the other day. lol.
And why would you want to resist? :)
"I can resist anything but temptation" - Oscar Wilde
Sounds a little Mae West-ish. ;)
I think this might be Awesome
Those 'already' are awesome!!! Healthy sprouts!
Those lilies really are smart! There are now so many lilies sprouting it's hard to count and sometimes hard to see. Daffodils are just blooming now, tulips really haven't bloomed, but those smarty-pants lilies know it's time.
We're doing our best to protect them from the new brood of bunnies. They love tender lily pips and buds.
And that's why they're called Easter bunnies.
Cute little ones! LOL I'd find way to protect my lilies. I'd want to feed 'em lettuce if I could.
Bunny troubles, aarrrggghhhhhh!!!!! I've put down Repell All, let's see what happens. They've already shown up for their banquet.
Oh no! At least they haven't gotten to the stem. Whew!
Repellall will discourage them from comming back.
Keep up the spraying on all new growth. That's their favorite in our garden.
I might have to dampen my enthoosiasm for Repellsall. I see new damage to tulips I just sprayed a week ago.That stuff is supposed to be good for 1 month or more.
A bunch of Silk Road
How long has Silk Road been in this spot? The growth is huge!
This is spring number three for them.
They're gonna put on one hallaluya of a show! I love Silk Road.
The Repell All that I use is granular. I'm going to also put down some blood meal this week to stop them any way I can!!!!
Its been successful here for 2 years. Just the Chinatown tulips are eaten. Other tulips near are left alone. No tulips blooming yet of any kind.
No tulips blooming here yet either, but I'm sure that it's too early here. Mine are just starting to poke up there little leaves! That's the nice thing about this, we get to see everything for a much longer time than we would if it was just our yards. I love seeing everyone else's blooms long before mine ever get close, lol!