Pineapple lily

I have one of these in a pot. When I investigated the lack of growth this year, I found a great big bulb with rot in the centre. I've scooped all the rot out quite harshly, and replanted it so I can water the bulb without getting water in the centre. I know lilies can be propagated from scales, does anyone think this will live, or will I have to dismantle it? :(
It has healthy looking roots and about 2/3 of the bulb is left.

 

Liz.If you can sprinkle Green Sulphur into the centre of the bulb, that will help stop any more of the bulb rotting off in the centre.

Hopefully you will have managed to stop it rotting any further.Just make sure you get no more water into the centre.

I think you may be better to wait until the Autumn before trying to grow from scales.By then the bulb should have built up enough with regular feeding to enable you to get some good sized scales off of it.

Good Luck.

Kandy

 

Are we talking eucomis here Liz?
The ones I have, have been outside in the ground undisturbed for years.
The bulbs get massive, and the one I did disturb afew years back, as I remember, was more like a massive root with buds, I'm sure it would divide.
But if yours has got good roots and growing buds I reckon it'll survive.

 

Yes that's right pete, mine is only 3 years old. As it was in a pot I think the cold got to it, perhaps I should remove stems after flowering.
I will try the sulphur Kandy, good idea.

 

Sorry Liz.
I read your bit about scales, and forot you were talking about Eucomis-Pineapple Lily.

We have just planted ours outside, but here in the Midlands we have to bring them indoors for the Winter only planting them back out after the frost's have gone.

In my Bulb Book it saysyou can remove and pot up bulblets when repotting.

If standing them outside it says in the book that they like a sunny posistion.

Kandy

 

I don't know much about eucomis, mine has no bulblets but it does have scales so I assumed it was like other lilies. Most of my lilies stay out but they are in bigger pots. We had some very low temperatures thia winter so I will put it in the greenhouse this winter.
Thanks!

 

The big bulb is now producing new growth from the centr where it was rotted, and also from the very outside. I don't know whether I should split it or go for a clump!

 

Liz, I would leave it and allow it to grow on. Either the main growing point survived and is re-establishing itself or a dormant bud at the base of a central bulb-scale has taken over. Encourage growth by feeding regularly and making sure it gets full light for as long as possible. If it eventually develops into a clump, so much the better - they look much more impressive in a group.

 

This sounds like something I have in the garden, bought it years ago and although it looks like it would need special care, it doesn't. It stays in the ground all the year round and is blooming beautifully at the moment. This year we even have another one growing in another part of the garden and blooming too.