Any lily propagators out there using bulb scales?

I am the sad owner of two expensive bulbs that had the stem broken off in shipping. The bulbs will be replaced by the seller, but I know bulbs can be propagated by scales. Looking for instructions, advice, etc. Would even consider giving these bulbs (Midnight and Triumphator) to someone more experienced if interested.

beaker,

I haven't done this but I've sure been thinking about it with all the lilies for sale right now. I've been reading about it, too, though I'm sure someone on the boards has actual experience! Seems like you can peel off the scales and plant each one...

I'll be watching this thread with interest :)

Planti

I have done some that way in the past but it takes a while to see any bloom so you need lots of patience. I use a little rooting hormone on the ends before putting in soil.
Kim

Here is one way to start the scales: Dip the bottom end in rooting hormone. Take a large baggie(gallon size works good) and put some moistened potting soil in the bag. Stick the scales in the bag and turn the bag to get the soil and the scales mixed up really good. Set the baggie on top of hot water heater or put in some other warm spot but not in direct sunlight. Check from time to time and when the scales have little bulbs growing on them, take those out and plant in little pots or cell packs and grow on in a partly shady spot. They take 2 or more years to reach blooming size.
The potting soil in the baggie needs to be damp, but not wet. If it is too wet, the scales might rot.

I almost always take off a few scales whenever I acquire any lilium bulbs. Only time I don't is when bulbs are just too small(usually species).

I pile all the baggies in a box and am finding that ones on the bottom usually have more bulblets than those on top. Must be some kind of a pressure thing I think. Has anybody else noticed this when scaling?

Sometimes I dig down to an already planted bulb and take a couple of scales off. If you do this, make sure you wash the scales very well and soak in a chlorox/water mixture for at least 20/30 mins to make sure scales are as clean as possible . Rinse well after soaking.

inanda

I

This message was edited Apr 11, 2006 6:08 PM

because was duplicated

This message was edited Apr 11, 2006 6:12 PM

Inanda, do you have a bed for the bulblets? Do you just plant and leave alone for a year or so? Do you ever have zone 5 bulbs and do they make it in your zone as bulblets? Do you use a rooting hormone?

I saw your post about soaking newly acquired bulbs and thought it made good sense.

Yes I have beds for the bulblets. In the shade, covered with small one inch hexagonal chicken wire to stop cats/squirrels getting at them. As soon as they start growing, take off the wire and put on old wire-no-longer-used-by-airlines dog crates with a brick on top of each to keep them from blowing about in the wind. This for bunnies. Water with 50% miracle grow on 15th & 30th , plain water rest of the time - as required.

BTW, I leave the bulblets attached to the scale when I pot up/plant out.

I try lilies from all kinds of zones. Some make it, some don't

EG: I leave some in the ground covered with a bag of leaves,some I bring into the house and grow on under lights for the winter. Always experimenting.

Asiatics/oriental/species I plant out in a couple of years. Martagons I usually leave alone for 4 years or so.

Bulblets more than zone 4 or 5 I keep potted up. I bury pots in the ground for the summer and dig up pots to bring them in for the winter.

The zone 8s (Formosum etc always come inside.

Edited to say I just dug down looking for pardelinum and they survived this past winter. Wow and Yippee. I brought some in and left the rest in the garden. Must havebeen a really mild winter. Did cover them with a bag of leaves though. Mybe that helped.

Inanda

This message was edited Apr 13, 2006 3:47 PM

Bag of leaves? paper or plastic? and what are bulb scales please? pardon the ignorance, but I'm finding this fascinating, just out of my league. thanks. ;-)

Hi Prairie Girl. Bags of leaves are garbage bags. To find out about scales go google. You will find all sorts of info.
Inanda

Hi PG, here is some basic info about scaling bulbs. Scroll down for the link to page 2.