I got 10 lily bulbs and they look beautiful. They started growing about 3/4 inch (they are white, not green yet). I've been reading to plant them 4" deep, which is much deeper than I expected. Do I plant them at this depth even with the growth already started?? Thanks for the help!
help - depth to plant
4" is too shallow. What kind of lilies are these? General rule is 3 times the height of the bulb. Most are planted about 6" deep unless the bulb is larger.
We had a discussion earlier this year about planting shallow when the bulb has sprouted. I'm of the opinion that the bulbs should be planted at their normal depth. Others felt that the bulb should be planted so that the sprout was just peeking through the surface. To tell you the truth, it may not matter as lilies have a habit of pulling themselves down if they don't like where they are. But that does take some energy away from the plant.
Clear as mud, right?
Beaker took the words right out of my mouth.
To make muddy waters muddier.........if the shoot is white and tight, plant at the proper depth 4 to 6 inches below soil level. If my sprout has turned green and has leaves opening I plant so the tip is at ground level.
Laugh!
Hi, I planted mine (asiatic, oriental and hybrid, all three) more like 6~8 inches deep; some may be even slightly deeper. Is that too deep? It's too late to lift them now, but I could in fall if they're unhappy (but survive).
Thanks,
Larisa
They will be fine. Six to eight inches is perfect.
Oh, I like perfect! Thank you; that's very encouraging.
So, they are whitish, but not really tight. I redug them up and planted them around 5 1/2 " deep, so the tips are below the soils still. I'm keeping my fingers crossed - it seems really deep to me!!
That sounds fine. It does seem deep but that's where they like to be. :)
:) Now I am wondering.
I planted all of mine in pots and I just didn't have the heart to go that deep. If I went three times the height of the bulb the bottom of the bulb would touch the bottom of the pot or clear it by about an inch. I instead opted to go with about 2-3 inches of soil on top of the bulb method. They seem to be doing fine so far and I guess they can always pull themselves down. What do you think?
If your bulbs are average size (around 2 inches) plus 2-3 in. of soil on top, then you have 5 in. to the bottom of the bulb, which is a good place to be. Yes, the bulbs will adjust if necessary.