Actually I did search but came up with hundreds of irrelevant threads...
A tired question,
What is the best way to store potted lilies in the winter? I am overwhelmed by moving lilies, lily seed, test tube lilies etc. etc. And then the 20'sF hit. I tend to procrastinate on things but I didn't want to on my potted lilies...
Tnx,
Andy
I'm too lazy to search question...
Can't you just put them in an unheated garage for the winter months? I have in the past sunk the pot in the ground and then put some straw over things as a mulch or not...
I've done that also, with seedlings, no less! and they all made it. They were on the east side (protected) of the house and I left a big bunch of leaves on top.
My only option other than digging them out, is to put them in my unheated garage. Since they are in large wooden flower boxes. I didn't know if they would survive that way. Mostly OT's.
I just put my that are potted in the unheated garage. I cover them to keep critters out of them and give them a very little drink every 4-6 weeks. I have done this the last 2 years with losses yet with asiatics & orientals both. They usually end up sprouting way before they should! lol
This year I just have one pot of babies. Finally got the others planted this year!
Tnx. I have way too much work and it is already in the low 20's...
I have had success overwintering in my unheated garage covered with a couple of blankets or towels all the way around and I leave them on a shelf. I check them as the thaw begins for sprouting.
I should add that there are certain parts of the garden process I enjoy more than others. Garden clean up is rated pretty low, thus sometimes I get in a pinch when it comes to finding places where these seedling pots should go.
Your unheated garage should be fine, with some kind of cover to provide a bit of protection when you open the door and a minus 20F wind comes in. I don't know why people want to water lily bulbs during the winter. If it is warm enough for the pot to dry out, than maybe yes, but it shouldn't be that warm. Remember frozen wet soil looks dry. Always better to keep too dry than too moist. Anything marginally hardy you might want to find room in the frig.
As I regularly get night below 20F now, I have moved all my potted material inside the garage, taking up at least one full vehicle stall. When the soil outside gets cold enough, everything will get moved back outside and covered for the winter. My pots are all hard frozen blocks. It is really quite amazing how cold plants can get before damage occurs.