These are from my Asian lilies planted two years ago. The first year they were nothing special, but this year several are growing these. What is this?
What are these?
A different plant, not so far along.
They are called stem bulbils. They will be a clone of the lily you got them from. The ones you show there in the first picture with roots and leaf showing can actually be gently pulled off and planted shallowly in the dirt, covering the but but with the leaf above ground. It will likely be a few years before they get to be blooming size, but if you like that plant, or want to share with friends, it's a great way to get started on some new plantings. Just water them in good once you plant. The top of the soil tends to dry out quickly this time of year, so just make sure adequate moisture is maintained, at least that has been my experience with them.
Thanks. Does this happen often or am I just lucky this year?
Some lilies are prone to doing it, tiger lilies are one of those. It's a genetic trait some have, I understand, likely with a tiger lily in its background. I have a couple that do that here, one is 'Starburst', another is 'Robinson's Comet' and for the first year I see some on 'Tiger Babies' too.
Okay, now I had to go and look at my Tiger Babies too, and it has bulbils for the first time also, I think. Curses!
Bulbils can come in green too:
See, I made ya look, didn't I Lefty?