Fertilizer for Lilies? When, what, how?

Hi, everybody--

I planted my first serious crop of lilies last fall (about 40 bulbs--I know that's not much for you lily fanatics! ), and I'm happy to report that they are coming up (at least several of them are) nicely.

I have spread 'deer scram' around liberally to keep the bunnies and deer away.

Now, I'm wondering if I should fertilize (since I've seen all these pics of 'thick' stemmed lilies on the forum and mine don't seem so 'thick'.)?

I have some 'Bloom Booster' fertilizer--would this be OK to give them? They are about a foot tall--asiatics, orientals, orienpets, mostly.

thanks for any advice you can share. t.

Did you amend the soil at all? If so, with what? What is the ratio listed on the Bloom Booster? Such as 10-10-10, ect..

Moby--

I think it's pretty good soil. 1/3 mushroom compost, 1/3 river silt, and 1/3 peat, or something like that, from the landscape company.

I don't know the exact NPK of the fertilizer but it's lowest in nitrogen and high in P and K.

I got my bulbs from Scheepers mainly. (Maybe should have purchased from Buggy crazy but I didn't know about her then.)

Do you normally fertilize lilies often/regularly, or is it a 'once a year when they first bud' sort of routine?

Is there an 'Alfalfa Tea' especially for lilies?

Don't know about the Tea. Sounds like both your soil and fertilizer are great. Lilies really aren't terribly fussy. There was a thread somewhere about what some people do for fertilizing ~ I just use Osmocote which is good for 3-4 months. Most plants like a feeding before and after blooming. Now would be a good time to start. Be sure to share pics! :)

I love Gardens Alive Bulb fertilizer. I use it in the fall and again in the Spring before the lillies bloom.

Hi AYankeeCat ~ Welcome to DG and the Lily Forum!

Yes, Welcome to DG "AYankeeCat" great to have you on board. Where are you from in CA? I moved to Cincinnati 2 years ago from Pasadena.

I have often looked at the Gardens' Alive Website and wondered how their products are. I think they distribute Messenger, too. Which I was thinking about purchasing...So good to hear your recommendations.

Thanks, Moby, for your re-assurance. I always get a combination of nervous and excited over my new additions to the garden. Always a learning experience and so good to have knowledgeable mentors.

Of course, I'm never too modest not to share pics!!

t, don't worry about stems not being very thick this year. You'll be amazed at the difference after they've had a year to get established. They should all give you blooms to enjoy this year, but next year's show will have you totally hooked on lilies!

And as far as fertilizer is concerned, I pretty much grow everything organically outside, so plenty of manure is the main thing they get. Last fall I did broadcast bone meal over the gardens and have been using some organic granular the last couple of years. But other than that I've never fertilized them and they've performed great.

Lilies are very easy to fertilize, they really do not require a lot of attention.

The "secret" (if you like) to fertilizing lilies are to think of it as "bulb enlargement". The lily bulbs will have enough energy to grow and bloom on it's own, but the bulb will be depleted in the process. The ability to recharge after flowering is the key to building back up the bulb for the following year.

- Fertilize when you first see the shots and then again as the plant starts to bloom. I sometime fertilize in late summer, too (lilies do not put out new "soft growth" like other plants so it is safe)

- Deadhead (remove spent flowers) after flowering

- let the green leaves continue to grow (do not cut back)

If you find the foliage dying (turning brown) try to water at the base of the lily and use a good mulch to avoid splashes. The lily foliage is needed to recharge the bulb.

Good luck
-- Kenneth

moby, ken and gem and yank,--btw, do you ever use 'Messenger' on your lilies?

I am wondering how they would react to a few doses after having read on DG about all the success with perennials, shrubs, etc..