help needed

i need some help with lily bulb planting. Asiatic and Oriental Bulbs. I live in zone 5.
How soon can i plant these bulbs? My frost date is May 31st.
I had planted some asiatics before, but they were plants already. They grew nicely and i let them die back naturally. The next year nothing.
I also planted 3 bulbs, in well drained soil, with morning sun and dapled the rest of the day. They came up a bit and never did anything more and just died off.
Another set of 3 bulbs, i purchased as plants, did well. The next spring when they started to come up, i moved them to a sunnier location. They never got any taller but they did bloom. Here is thing, they may have gotten to much water. My dh watered the lawn and and this garden almost every day for 20 plus minutes. In the same area i had peacock lily bulbs that grew but never flowered. Can you imagine 70 beautiful bulbs, with nice leaves and no flowers. A major bummer. i'm not letting him near my flower beds this year. :) i'm sure it is still early here, but i have no signs of life from any of these bulbs this year.

I love lilies and really want these bulbs to do well. I've read "how to plant lilium" sites but i'm asking you for your little helpful hints and how you have received good results.
My backyard abut woods. I have seen a deer once in my back yard. I've had no problems with bunnies. There are only a couple of squirrels but my other bulbs i did use wire on top to protect them, except the daffodils.
Sorry this is so lengthy but i wanted to explain my dilemas and challenges. :) Help Needed!!!!! debi z

Well,from what I know (which isn't much) Wait till your soil is warmer before planting any bulbs now. The soil I do believe must be and held at 50 deg.for several days before planting any bulbs right now.
Another thing. I usually soak my bulbs in a Seaweed solution for 1 hour before planting.
I'm sure others will be coming on to help you out more but this is what I have done in the past;about the soil and the soaking. All of my lilies are planted in full sun here in Texas and they do real good.

thanks coco, i'll have to look for that seaweed solution.

You can find the Seaweed solution at Home Depot or Lowe's or places like that. Even some of the nurseries should have it. It lasts a long time cause you use about 1 capful to 1 gallon of water. Some people soak their bulbs and some don't but I do cause it gives them a bit of an extra start. Make sure you plant your bulbs after all danger of frost and your ground temperature is warm. A steady 50 deg.temperature at least. You can also use some bulb stimulator when you plant the bulbs; Bone Meal or regular stimulator for bulbs.
Happy Planting.

I grow lilies and daylilies Debi and must disagree with ya CoCo,sorry'

Debi you can plant your bulbs now as long as you have good drainage and mulch them good' This will help keep the soil temp stable and also help prevent any "heaving"if you have a late winter storm'

I'm in z5 and plant all winter if the soil permits' Bulbs need cool/dark to get established' By planting them now you will have them established before it gets too warm'

I only soak bulbs if they are very dried and then only in warm water' Some soak their bulbs in other solutions,it's your call on that one' However,I always add bulb food into the hole before planting and that feeds your bulb while getting established' HTH Sis'

PS. You probably already know but plant a bulb 3 times it's size deep in the soil,that is the rule for planting bulbs'

Sis,I was just going by what someone at the nursery told me when I planted mine. That is what I went by. Shoot! You mean all this time I could have planted my earlier? Rats!Last time I listen to someone at the nursery. Will becoming to DG after this for advice. Thanks for clueing us in Sis.

Oh CoCo from what I've heard from some (unnamed nursery folks) of misinformation,I could write volumes,lol' If what you are doing works,then keep doing it CoCo,I only know what I know,lol':D You're more than always welcome''

I know better now than to listen to a nursery 'Quack'. I like to get bulbs planted as soon as possible but when he told me to wait till the ground warms, that's like waiting a life time for me. Will know better next time. Sis,I do thank you for correcting me on this matter. Learn something new every day. No more advice for me from some of those so called 'quacks'.

Yes,some do give you good advice but then there are others that don't know a rose from a daisy I don't think, and wonder why in the world they are working in nurseries.

With few exceptions, Lilly's are hardy to -40, They do not like dry heat, They like 6hrs. of sun, But, Will tolerate 4.
Lillys don't really have a dormant season, Fall planting is preferred ( Except for Madonna Lilys, Which should be planted somewhat earlier in late summer to early fall) Planting depth in general is 8 inches deep from bulb bases with there noses covered with at least 2 inches of soil ( The Madonna Lilly again is a exception ~Plant it just an inch or two deep ) Space large Lillys at least a foot apart ~In windy gardens they need to be staked as lillys are 'top heavy' ~ Mulch heavely in fall to protect them against alternate freezing and thawing ~ Lilies can also be planted in pots, Plant three or four bulbs per pot.
Lilies are susceptible to several virus's, particularly lily mosaic, usually transmitted by aphids ( Vigorous plants resist disease ) Rabbt and deer are two other major lily pests.

Soil:Well drained, Organic
Care: Water regularly during period growth and blooming: attractive to deer and rodents
Light: Full sun or light shade
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
~ HTH ....I live in Conn. _ Not all that far from Springfield_ I have about 15-20 lillys and they grew Huge and beautifull each year, Some get full sun,Some only get late afternoon sun, And some are planted in shallow rocky soil, but,They do great, I water them the same as I water my other perenials ( I took most of this info out of my bulb book and it's what I go by and the bulbs I have , Have done well for me ) ( I wish you much luck with yours ) ~ Iris
A pic of a few of the lillys that I have (If your interested) ~>http://community-2.webtv.net/Diana201202u/SOMEOFTHEPLANTSTHAT/page4.html

This message was edited Friday, Mar 29th 3:44 PM