dividing crinums?

I started with a small start of crinum about 4 years ago. Now it's HUGE. Can I just dig it up and divide it like you would divide daylillies or is there a special trick I should know before I get out the ole shovel and go at it?

are you talking about milk and wine crinums? if so: they are deep, be prepared to dig a deep hole to avoid ripping into the bulb. they will pull theirselves deeper if they weren't deep enough. the bulbs are huge. I have found the best way to get the babies off without having to pull is to give it a good slam on the ground. If they're big enough it doesn't take much to get them off.

I think they are milk and wine. Guess I'll get out the ole shovel and start digging. The clump I have now gets about 4-5 feet wide so guess I'll be digging for a while! Thanks for your advice, I just wasn't sure where to start.

is it this one? http://plantsdatabase.com/go/514.html

Thats it! I got a start from a friend who bought an old farmhouse and they were there along with some other old favorites. I just love the plant but sure hate to divide it.
It does need to be divided and moved though. Thanks so much for the info.

I use to go to an aunt & uncle's that lived in your area. Did you grow up there? My cousins went to school in that area. Eastland, Cisco, Ranger? That area?
I work at a Farm & the gal that is in chg of the GHs offered me some of those bulbs. I ck'd the net & it said plant in fall so I just have them in a brown paper bag.
Think I should plant them now? I am soooooooooouth of you. Wonder if I could grow them by June? Do they bloom the first yr?

you can plant them now Smockette, but they might not bloom this year. sethsnana, you might be forgoing the blooms too if you divide now. That was a risk I took one year, I was dying to get them divided. Ours came from my DH's dad, and DH told me if they didn't bloom at Father's Day like they always do, I was in trouble. You never saw flowers prayed over like those were!!!!
Mine always bloom after I divide, but wanted you to know that it's possible they will miss this year.

Thanks, tiG! You are just so wise & experienced in plants I want to grow! :~)

LOL!!! just luck. I studied these before I moved them the first time because they meant so much to my DH. His dad got the first ones over 40 years ago, so to have them bloom every year at Father's day is very important now that his dad is gone.

Mine is in a bed that has been virtually overrun with Obedient plant. I was hoping to get it moved so I can finally get rid of the obedient plant.I may have to forgo the blooms this year, but it did bloom for me the first year that I planted it.
Smockette, I didn't grow up here but I've lived in Eastland about 20 years. Good luck with your Crinum, it's a beautiful show when it blooms!

sethsnana, I probably haven't been there in almost 20 yrs. Long way fr I-10! I remember the last time I was there, I almost didn't recognize it then. What brought you out there, SWB?

Smockette, Sorry to say a divorce is what brought me to Eastland, and my parents had moved here after retirement. I had a small child and felt he needed the support of his grandparents during that time of his life. It was such a small town that I wasn't sure I could handle living here, but it has become home and I enjoy the friendly small town atmosphere.

i also found having the water house handy makes digging them out easier. after youve dug around them, if you take the hose and poke it in between and under, it helps loosen them.
it makes a huge mess, but i was able to get them all out without any damage. ive shovel pruned more than i care to remember
and be sure to have a wheelbarrow full of replacement dirt, it leaves a gaping hole in the landscape, lol
jen

Sethsnana, sorry it was a negative that took you there but I always liked the little town. It makes me sad to think that my aunt, my uncle, & my favorite cousin are gone fr there now but I guess you say, life goes on. I think even if you had to bite the bullet & move to there, I'm sure 'Seth'(?) will be a better man for having the support of his grandparents & hopefully not as much exposure to the negatives that are found in big cities. I knew a couple that moved up to the E Tx Piney woods to get their two away fr all the violence in Houston. I commend you for putting your child first where he should be. Too many parents never give their children much of a thought when it comes to where they live. Our prisons are full of 'use-to-be-kids' that didn't have a good solid childhood. Listen to me who never had any but always had the right ideas if I ever had! Sorry, didn't mean to preach. Just wanted to give you a good ole ata girl. Good luck and I think you did the right thing for your son. & I also think that MSJen has a good way to get them critters up & divided @ the same time.