Standing water

I know, I know, lilies should be in raised beds, but some of mine are not OK? (smile)
They are under water. We have had a ton of rain, there is an inch or two of water on the surface that has been there for 36 hours or more. I'm thinking the L. pardalinum may well survive but I wonder if my Leslie Woodriff bulbs planted last fall, are goners. I am wondering if digging them up now might save them. I am hoping it is not necessary since it is 34 degrees and raining and I have to go to work in an hour or so.
Thanks, David

The need for raised beds really is dependant upon your soil. I don't have any raised beds here and the yard is flat.

Is there any way you could dig a shallow trench to draw the water away from the bed?

You're right, pardalinum should be fine. If your ground is still frozen, which is often the reason fo water pooling in the spring, there should be no worry for most lilies, including LW. Either way, your LW would have a better chance of survival if it had already had a year to settle in. As it is, the LW bulb no doubt has superficial wounds from storing/shipping/planting that have not healed yet, that under normal circumstances wouldn't cause a problem, but in a water saturated, oxygen deprived state, is a concern.

Maybe it is just me, because I grow things as much to learn as to enjoy their beauty, but I would probably let it be and see what happens. Realistically, if the soil is thawed, I am guessing (and only guessing) it has a 30% chance of survival. Now if you want to go and play in the cold mud, that's your choice, but you will need to be putting a lot more work into it than that, with future care.

I see that you are part of the Yahoo Lilium group. We'll see what the real experts have to say . . .

There goes another one of those rumors that I am standing in water and possibly drowning. Folks, I am OK!! I have this routine... When the rain puddles rise above my ankles I just hop out and shake it off! Works every time!

(sorry I couldn't help it ;-)

hee hee

(Giggle)

Lilium canadense also regularly stands floodings of a a day or two.

To quote Moe Howard "Wise guys eh? Remind me to kill you later."
On a more serious note though, thanks for the input.
A) There is no where else for the water to go so a trench would be no help.
2) I do not believe the ground is frozen, just saturated.
C) I was considering digging up one or two bulbs and therefore gaining, perhaps two data points, (one: what happens when you dig one up, and, two: what happens when you don't), but now I will get just the one, what happens when you leave them in water.
We are supposed to see the sun tomorrow and for a few days after that I believe so...we shall see.
No one in the lilium group has weighed in yet.
Thanks again,
David

Lilies can take many days (and weeks) of flooding when it is cold water, (cold doesn't benefit fungal diseases like warm does) some of our Orienpets, Trumpets and Orientals flooded every winter for many winters, many times over each winter, once the ditch silted in from flooding and they never had any problems from it. It is a problem when they are too wet and the soil is warm.
You could do more damage trying to rescue them from saturated soil than if you leave them alone.

Lisa, I'm really glad that you are here and participate in these forums! We all benefit from your knowledge. :) Thanks!

Well I am only here when the weather is FOUL and I am procrastinating, like today. If you want any replies best to dmail, I will be outside much of the time soon!

It was beautiful here today, mid 60s and what did I do? Went looking for a new computer and newer digital camera, came home empty handed. However, I did mangage to bring home a pot of Rosemary. :) I'm still trying to walk up-right after working in the gardens a couple afternoons last week. Maybe tomorrow. :) Anyway, it's still good to have you here even if you might be procrastinating. :)

my 2¢ on a computer.... once you go Mac you never go back!

Yeah, I know, Mac's are great, but, I'm more comfortable with a PC. All my little geeky buddies have Mac's. :) LOL

Thanks Lisa, for confirming my suspicions, that cold water is pretty harmless, and that I did the right thing by doing nothing.
I have fifty some lily bulbs in the ground and most of them were not flooded. Can't wait!
-David