I plant only containers, and have hesitated to plant orientals in the fall in Denver for fear they won't come up in the spring. I'd love to have some though, but I'm worried that they won't bloom the first year in a container. Does anybody have any experience with this, some words of wisdom to share with me?
Question about planting orientals in the spring
If you purchase quality bulbs in the spring they will bloom just fine. By quality I mean bulbs that are not dessicated from sitting around in a store and are a decent size, say 14-16 cm is somewhat small but should still give a few blooms the first year. It is also very important to use a free draining mix for containers. Lilies grow very fast when planted in the spring , and a decent sized bulb is already prime for blooming.
Can't say I have ever planted an oriental of decent size in the spring that didn't bloom. Certainly Pard is correct about container mixes, some are very heavy and can hold the water and not drain efficiently. I have better luck with the mixes that don't feel like lead when you pick them up. Usually they are not the 99 cents per bag ones you find at the big box stores, that usually fool you by stating "potting soil" on the label. Seems like Miracle Grow makes a good one, but there are others.
They'll bloom for you.
I don't have much luck with potted lilies because I always use too heavy (water retentive) a mix. I do add small rocks in the bottom. Helps drainage and weights the bottom so they are so easy to tip over. But next year I am going to mix heavily with sand! Good Oriental bulbs should bloom if spring planted. Good is the key here. You can't buy the dried up ones and expect them to produce. Remember, you get what you pay for.
I had the pleasant surprise of extending the lily season some with the spring planted potted lilies....they did well, though bloomed a bit later than their grounded counterparts. Once they were done, they were put into the garden and have done just fine.
I've been using the regular Miracle Grow with success. I also only use unglazed clay pots same as for geraniums. I also suggest using a moisture meter. I started using one last year and it made a world of difference. I think I got mine at HD for about 15.00.
Rev is a whiz at container growing as she gardens on a balcony using lots of bulbs.
Judith ~ as others have mentioned above, your spring-planted orientals should bloom just fine as long as the bulbs are nice and healthy to begin with.
Well, I'm going to find me some oriental beauties to plant in the spring. As you said, esw, they should bloom a little later in the season, thus extending my lily growing time. That would be perfect!
I did successfully grow Stargazers from a fall planting a few years ago, but I've heard that they're the most hardy and usually do well from fall planting. I also grew a Golden Stargazer one year. But I'd like to have something other than those two. So many lilies, not enough time :-(
