Hello,
I bought some asiatic lily bulbs in spring and they grew and had some flowers and in mid summer I realize that they have some tiny bulbs growing close to each leaf. I did a search in the internet and find out these things called bulbils. I planted these bulbils in a pot and they grow and have 1-2 small leaves now. My question is what I should do with them in the winter. Should I just leave them outside in the pot or should I put them in the house. Will they need artificial light if they need to be in the house? And how long will it take before they have flowers?
Thank you:)
What should I do with the asiatic lily bulbils ?
Seeing you have already potted them up, I suggest you sink the pot in the ground for the winter. Make sure that you bury the lip of the pot in the ground.
Then in the spring you can just decant the entire pot and plant somewhere safe so they can grow on. Actually, you could do that now. I hadn't looked at where you live.
inanda
What if the bulbil has roots but hasn't put up leaves yet? I put mine in a pot so I wouldn't lose it .Then I had to bring it in to protect it from squirrels that dig in my pots-they already ate at least 4 lily bulbs this summer.
So, do I leave it in the house for the rest of the winter, put it out in the garage, or try surrounding it with hardware cloth and put it back outside?
Oh, I live in zone 7b, I'm sorry. Will they continue to grow during the winter or will they go dormant? How long does it usualy take before they produce flowers?
Thanks
When I spot the bulbils I leave them on the mother's stem but if they've come loose I just plant them near the top of the soil: a leaf will show you how deep to plant (not deep).
There's a thread on "How baby lilies relocate" that's very helpful. The bulb will grow and pull itself down to the correct level.
I'd guess two years to a flower.
I'd plant them outside with your wire cages right now. I also sprinkle Blood Meal to keep the rabbits and squirrels away. Not a good idea for anyone with digging pets.
Here is the thread Pirl was referring to
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/655898/
Lilies go dormant in the winter. It's okay to cut the yellowed stalk down, but I leave 2-3 inches so I can see where it is in the spring. Be sure to mulch your orientals well!
I always leave the stump, too, mainly so I won't step where they're growing as I do spring cleaning.