Hello,
I purchased 30 lilium bulbs ( Orienpet and Trumpet blend) on July 18, 2006, and they are all alive and growing in the bag. I was wondering if these can be planted this late in the season! I live in zone 5 (Michigan). I realize they won't flower, but do they have to be planted, since they have already sprouted in the bag? Will it delay or lessen it's chance of sprouting in the spring of '07? I guess I should have asked first, are these winter hardy in zone 5 (Michigan), or do they have to be dug in the fall? Any help would be greatly, appreciated! Thanks....P.S....I also purchased cannas, same questions for those also.....Thanks Again......
july 22, 2006 lilium orienpet and trumpet blend
echoes
Jul 23, 2006
The lilies will be hardy for you, under normal circumstances. They need to be planted asap. If you can't get them in your garden, pot them up. The cannas would need to be brought in before winter, but they won't get any better in the bag either.
echoes
Plant them now. The sooner they get in the ground, the sooner they will start to put roots out and that will help them through the winter. They should be winter hardy for your zone. Fall is the big planting time for lilies, but there are some people (me for instance) who won't plant orientals in the fall, specifically because there is not enough time for the roots to develop before winter starts in. So, now is good.
It's a little late for cannas and I doubt you'll see any blooms, but the tuber can be stored after a killing frost and you can replant next year. I don't know about trying to hold the tuber from now until next spring. I say plant it.