Old Lily bulbs

lakeside · Oct 28, 2010

I have had several pots planted with lily bulbs for several years. They have not been looked after, with no fertilizer, for about five years. Their growth and display has diminished. I have emptied these pots and saved about 25 small bulbs some made of up several cloves, like very small garlic bulbs.

I have thought of saving these, planting in an old Belfast sink with fresh compost next spring.

Am I wasting my time! Will these bulbs grow bigger and produce more?

cajary · Oct 29, 2010

Hmm! Well I avoided this hoping that someone who actually knew would answer. They will grow, if planted individually but I don't know how long it would take for them to flower, it depends on the variety.:wink: You could try putting each bulb in a 6" pot and letting them get on with it. I'm experimenting with "tree Lilly" bulbs. I've planted some "flakes" but I don't expect much for 2 yrs.

lakeside · Oct 31, 2010

Does anyone else have any information? Thanks.

Marley Farley · Oct 31, 2010

:wink: Well Mike, this might help you... I have done this many times with great success..

[align=left]Scales[/align]
[align=left]The lily bulb is composed of numerous scales that are attached to the basal plate. By removing some of the outer scales of large healthy disease free bulbs you can increase your lilies fairly quickly. Using bulbils to propagate lilies was at one time the most favourite method, but because not all lilies naturally produce bulbils scaling has taken over as the most widely used method. Any lily can be scaled to make new bulblets. There are a number of ways to do scaling, but the first thing to do is make sure your plants your taking scales from are virus free. Unlike seeds the virus is in all the cells of the bulb and will be passed on the the new bulblets. Scaling is a good way to increase the stock of a slow dividing favourite or an expensive new cultivar that you only purchase one for your garden.[/align]
[align=left]Scales can be taken at any time of the year, but the best time is mid to late summer after flowering has finished. Once the flowers are done the bulb can be lifted and the outer ring of scales taken off. The removal will weaken the bulb for the next season but it will recover. Another way to get scales if you do not wish to dig the entire bulb out is to dig down beside the bulb and just take off the scales.[/align]
[align=left]When I do scaling I take the scales and place them into a ziplock bag containing damp Vermiculite. Then upon closing the bag I let them sit in the light until small bulblets are formed. This only takes about 2 weeks for me to see some tiny bulbs growing from the bottom of the scale where it attached to the Basal Plate. The bulblets will grow roots as well. Once they get to a decent size I open the bag to reduce the humidity, this will acclimatize the bulblets to the lower humidity levels when potted up in their trays. After a while they will put up shoots and grow on like regular bulblets. Quite often more than one bulblet will form on each scale. If you wish you can cut each scale horizontally in the middle and bulblets will form on the top part as well as where the scale was attached to the Basal Plate. If you want to make sure your scales do not get fungus you can soak them in a systemic fungicide for 15 minutes before placing them in the plastic bag.[/align]
[align=left]Another method to do scaling is to push the scale into a tray of peat and grit or humus so that only a third is showing above the mixture. Water the tray and let it drain, then place it into a a transparent bag or clear tray lid if you have them. Keep the scales at around 18C (65F) but not above 21C (70F). In a couple of weeks you should start to see some tiny bulblets developing. When they get large enough they should be potted up individually. It is a good idea to put the bulblets into a cold storage for a number of weeks depending on the division. This will break dormancy and cause leaves to sprout. Asiatics need about a minimum of 6 weeks while Oriental species and hybrids need 12-14 weeks.[/align]
[align=left]After they have been growing indoors either under lights or in a heated greenhouse for the winter, they can be planted out in the garden when the soil temperatures are favourable. They may take a season or more to get to blooming size depending on how well they are growing.[/align]
[align=left]Scaling is a good way to increase the number of a newly purchased quickly. This not only gets you more for your money but also acts like an insurance incase something unexpected happens to your bulb, such as squirrels digging them up and feeding on them.[/align]
Click to expand...

silu · Oct 31, 2010

I certainly wouldn't call myself an expert on this subject, however, I moved some lillies a couple of years ago and when lifting them I acquired some "scales". Thinking waste not want not, I planted them in pots about twice the depth if the "scales". Lots of leaves appeared year 1 and this years I did get a couple of small flowers so hoping for better next. I'd go ahead and plant them...nothing to loose. Maybe check the drainage of the Belfast sink tho.

ARMANDII · Jan 23, 2011

I'm not a lily expert by any means but I've been growing different varieties of lilies in 18" pots [20-25 in each pot for 20 years or so. I propagate lilies in the same way as the article in a previous answer but the time taken for the bulblet or scale to get to a worthwhile maturity of flowering does definitely depend on the variety. The minimum time I seen is two years and that was the bulblets of the smaller variety. The larger types seemed to take 3-4 years before they gave worthwhile flowering. I would just follow the advice from the article and enjoy the anticipation of seeing them grow no matter how long it takes.

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Old Lily bulbs

lakeside Gardener

cajary Gardener

lakeside Gardener

Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

silu gardening easy...hmmm

ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

My tree fern has got two old trunks

A refreshing view of London by a 10 years old Finn

Old privet hedge, remove or repair?

Retrofit an older drone with remote ID.

The good old days - lady gardeners.

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Old Lily bulbs

lakeside Gardener

cajary Gardener

lakeside Gardener

Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

silu gardening easy...hmmm

ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

My tree fern has got two old trunks

A refreshing view of London by a 10 years old Finn

Old privet hedge, remove or repair?

Retrofit an older drone with remote ID.

The good old days - lady gardeners.

Share This Page

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