Oriental Lilies





Valerie Lowery@ZEON
07/08/98 09:01 AM

Marilyn,

Unfortunately, oriental lilies aren't the most long-lived plants.  It is
not uncommon for them to die out after a few years.  However, if you wish
to keep your lilies, you can dig them up every other year and separate the
little bulbils that have formed along the stem under the ground.  These
will take a few years to reach blooming size, but at least you'll have some
to carry on after the "mother" bulb is gone.

I also have some lilies in large pots.  These are in their fourth year and
are huge.  Then again, I also dig them up and separate the bulbs every
other year.  Make sure you fertilize with a slow release version in the
spring and once again after blooming.  These bulbs are like tulips and need
the extra food for bloom the following year.

Even with all of this, I still have some that won't come back.  Depends on
the variety because some have been hybridized to death for huge blooms
instead of hardiness.  Keep in mind that these are also susceptible to
borytis, a disease that causes leaves to drop, stunted growth, and
misshapen flowers.


Val in KY
zone 6a


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