Most of you know I'vd had fantastic luck scaling this year. My fridge is jam packed with bulblets for planting this spring. However, I still have scales in my scale box still developing. I did may last scaling in September, some by design and most from the scales that fell off bulbs that I was planting out. Not all these scales had obvious signs that there was any basel plate attached. The ones that looked fat and healthy, I put in a baggie anyway and waited and waited and waited. Now after 5 months, some of these that did not have the basel plate are developing bulblets. I checked them about once a month. In December, I thought I should just toss the ones that didn't look like they were doing anything, but the scales themselves still looked very healthy, so I kept telling myself I should give it more time.
When I took a propagation class in January, I asked the guy who was teaching about whether lilies would only propagate from scales if there was basel plate attached and he said NO which is contrary to everything I've ever heard or read and I guess he is right. These late developing scales are mostly orientals and orientals don't increase very fast, so maybe that has something to do with it. Or maybe the basel plate adds a boost to the development of bulblets.
Some bulblets seem to set almost immediately. The one lonely scale I had from a Martagon developed so fast it was amazing. I thought a Martagon would take a long time to develop. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is don't toss scales if they look healthy but don't seem to be doing anything. There could be a bulblet or two waiting to emerge in it's own due time. Anyone else have any observations about scales they'd like to share?
Observations on Scaling
I'm observing the same thing in the scales from the shattered bulb you sent me. Some are potted and growing, another just got potted up the other day, and there are still a couple that look firm and healthy but not showing any roots or bulblets. I think I'll really be getting in to scaling this year; its such a fun and easy way to propagate!
Beaker, which of your orientals did you scale? Names?
That is exactly what I do. I do not throw a scale away until it is shriveled and icky looking. One thing that I do with my scales too that seems to help is that I use a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide in the water that I moisten my vermiculite with. Since doing that I have never had a scale that gets any mold on it, plus I think that the scales stay a little plumper that way.
Steph
Maxine, the three varieties I still have in my scaling box are Pink Riot, Merostar and Snowpeak. The one that gemini_sage is referring to is Little John. Not sure when I sent those out; June maybe.
Steph, what ratio H2O2 do you use with the water?
I use H2O2 too, and it has been a big help. I use 1/2 cup per gallon of water.
Hi Beaker. I use 1 ounce per quart of water. Hope this helps. Lots of people use different percentage mixtures, but H2O2 seems to help with a lot of issues from damping off with seedling to saving a plant from overwatering.
Steph
I hesitate to use H2O2 because I had leaf burn last year using it on Amarylis. I did use it mixed with water on some geranium cuttings I made last fall and it seemed to work OK. I haven't had any problems with my scales, but I use so little water with them and they are enclosed in baggies, there probably isn't the same issues.
I've used a slightly damp soiless mix and had no trouble. I started them in the baggies too. Though the Conca d"Or I just got and scaled I potted up and put plastic with holes over top, just to try something I had seen in one of the lily books I have been reading this winter. It's been fun watching all of these scales and seeds grow all winter. I never thought I could do any of it, but so far so good.
Any suggestions as to what type of soil to pot up the tiny scaled plants in? It will be appreciated. I have many plants and now am at a loss as to the next step... pod
I use soiless potting soil (oxymoron) and use half strength fertilizer on 1st and 15th of month when potting up scales to grow on inside. If outside in nursery in the spring my nursery is 4 way mix in the shade. Not sure exactly what 4 way mix is. Peat, topsoil, used mushroom bedding (called Mushroom manure here) some sand. Grows everything very well. I also collect bags and bags of leaves in the fall, puncture them and let them compost for a couple of years before digging into lily areas.
With my larger scales I cut into the sides of them a bit and find the cuts also grow bulblets. A sterile knife of course.
With daffs and daff. relatives, I cut a cross on the bottom before planting. Grows many babies quickly.
inanda
I use the regular Miracle Grow.
Essentially any quality potting soil then and if I assess correctly I should use the H202 blend for watering. Anemic doses of fertilizer twice monthly. Should be able to deal with that. Thank you! Another other tips?
Podster, If you use the MG potting soil, you don't have to worry about fertilizing. Also, you need to keep the soil just barely moist, meaning it should feel more dry than damp. I don't think adding the H2O2 has any significant value if you keep the soil appropriately dry.
Ahhhh thank you for making it easier! That is good for me this time of year. Will pot them up on the weekend. Thanks ~ pod
I'm so glad I found this topic! I got about 30 bulbs of Lily Triumphator that had been sitting since spring on the shelf and when I opened the bags there was a ton of root growth off the large bulbs and tons of babies scattered in the peat used for packing. I got these from work (WalMart) for one cent for each bag of 3 bulbs since they should have been disposed of a few months ago. I'm hoping they are true to name but I'll be happy if they produce and flower.
I wasn't sure what to do with the tiny ones and the random scales so this was really helpful information. Might help with the holiday dieting...just keep the fridge full of bulbs, seeds and scales:lol:
lol....fridge full of plants & future plants :-)
Walmart, Kmart, Home Depot & other box stores get their bulbs from the same places. Some are correctly identified, some not. But at that price, who cares???
ps. Our daughter Liz just became an assistant manager at Walmart. Wow! great pay for a kid of 23!
It only matters if you really want to know that what you are buying is what you are getting. If ya don't care, it don't matter. :) These days, I really want to know that things are correct. :)
Or if you are paying $5-$20 a bulb....
H202 is great for cleaning windows too!
My scales have growths on them!!!! Yay! *does the happy dance of joy around the room*
Ya know, this is the only place a person can come in and say they have "scales with growths on them" and people will think it's a good thing. :) LOL
Kinda makes ya all wiggley inside, doesn't it?
Yeah, it does!!!! lol
Congrats on your scales with growths Ticker- that does sound gross to the unsuspecting listener, LOL.
Yeah, I know, but that's what makes this place so special! :) LOL I'm going to try to take pictures of those scale growths tonight... :)
Oh and Gemni, Thanks for the congrats. ;)
This message was edited Dec 3, 2007 6:50 AM
Yay for Ticker!
Most people would say "I think they make a cream for that" LOL
Now, Ticker, aren't you glad I put you up to that?? :) It gives me winter inspiration. I need it, believe me.
Yes, without Mags holding my hand all the way I probably wouldn't have done it. Thank you Mags. :) Now, I just have to get through the next bit with them... :)
I can't wait to see your pictures.... please show us :)
Ok, here is the first picture of my new babies.... This is Awesome...
This one is Rosselini...
This is Bloody Ram....
Coral Sunrise, note it's beginning to turn green..... Yikes, what do I do with it now?
How long has Awesome been in the bag? I have a few tiny bulblets after 5 weeks.
This message was edited Dec 3, 2007 10:37 PM
Everything went into the bags on October 15th. I'm quite pleased with Awesome.
Ticker, they look really great. Your 'Coral Sunrise' looks like it has a leaf coming off of there already! Wow, that was fast!
Note how good the fresher dug bulbs do, as compared to the big brokers. Amazing....
You guys are just going to LOVE 'Awesome' !
I have GOT to get that Awesome some day. BC was sold out by the time I ordered.
Moby 'Awesome' seems to produce bulblets quite easily. There will be plenty to share ;*)