lily bulbs-what to do with them?

Last month I ordered a load of bulbs, mainly dahlias, but some were lilies. Have just received an email to say they are being delivered tomoroow and to bring to my attention that the 'lilies are a sensitive item' !!!! What does this mean. Does this mean I have to plant them straight away or keep them out of the cold or what? My garden is a bit on the boggy side at the moment so really dont want to plant them yet if not really needed. thanks

 

You really have to talk nicely to them.....none of this grow you B.......ds grow.
:D
Seriously thats the first time I have heard it expressed like that. No lilies bulbs do tend to dehydrate quite easily so will dry out and dessicate. Dahlia tubers are much tougher but lilies are composed of scales, that should be firm with no mould on. Quite often i notice in shops the scales feel a bit soft, which means they have been hanging around too long.
Consider planting them in pots. You can always transfer them afterwards Most of my lilies are in pots permanently. My garden gets very wet in winter and lilies do like a damp, but well drained soil. If you have any doubts about the drainage of your garden then I would consider doing the same, you do use the word boggy. Normally lilies are planted with a bit of sand under the bulb to improve drainage at that point.

 

that helps. may put them into pots for now as theres not that many of them. should I put them outside or should I put them in the shed or somewhere?

 

Agree with Geoff, but would add the obvious that lillies are hardy and will freeze quite happily outside, but your dahlias will not!

I have huge clumps of lillies growing very happily in my damp garden, but have for the first time this year experimented with growing them in pots, but only because I want to be able to move them round.

Your dahlias need to be kept in slightly damp peat until you decide to start them off - just leave them barely covered, then bring them into light and warmth when you want to get them going, don't give them anything much to drink untill you see signs of life.

 

Just watch out if you have cats, LG - they can rub against the flowers, get pollen on their fur, and lick it off - and become VERY poorly. There was a case a year or so back, of a cat oing exactly that, with a vase of cut flowers which included lilies. The cat died.

I can just see Trux's eyes light up at that one! A legitimate method?? :rolleyes: :eek:

 

It is a particular specie of lily....can't remember which one it is.

 

thnaks for all the info. No havent got a cat anymore and very rarely see others about so havent got that to worry about!

 

Found this link about cats and lilies
http://www.cats-inverurie.co.uk/News/May05/lily.htm
I thought it was only Lilium longiflorum that was the problem but not so.
Cat lovers might want to know.

 

Just be sure to plant the lilies fairly deep (at least twice the height of the bulbs - some root from the base whilst others from the growing stems.

 

i have had lilies in pots for years and they flower every year left outside in the winter. they can be moved near a seat or back door where the perfume is lovely.I find the oriental lilies have the best scent and last longer. good luck carolla

 

mmmm,after having read all of the above,I`m still gonna ask.I got these lilly`s last yr when they were half grown and i put them all in this pot.I havn`t done a thing with them and was wondering if they should be showing through the soil,or should i cover them up with soil?My common sense is saying,cover them but by how much?And should i use loam based soil.And should i feed them?And ....with what?I don`t know their name but they`re bright orange and grew to about a foot last yr.I`ve left the pic large so you can see what i mean better.

 

This is them last yr.Can anyone tell me their name.(please) It`d be a shame if i killed them after only having enjoyed them once.Thanks in advance.

 

Hi Elanefiz.
I bought 3 bright yellow lillies last year, and they are at the same stage as yours seems to be.
But the lillies i have had in pots for years are coming up nicely, so im just going to wait and see what happens unles someone knows better! ANYONE KNOW?
MEF750

 

lilies do seem to be extremely hardy blighters!
I think they'll be fine as they are, although you might want to give them a light covering with some top soil, or multi purpose potting compost.
I would leave the feeding until this cold snap is over, it would be a tad dull if they put a spurt on and then it got nipped by this frost.

 

Elaine, they look like an Asiatic lily to me, but I'll happily defer to someone else's superior knowledge!