Dividing and Transplanting Lilies
Our garden is looking good this summer. We have a lot of lillies that are about 3 years old and they really have done well. It is time to divide and transplant the bulbs now that they have matured.
It is not that hard to divide and transplant lillies. Here are some simple tips if you want to do more with your lillies around your garden. It doesn’t matter if you have Asiatic or oriental lillies, they both grow new bulbs underground. Older bulbs eventually wither and produce smaller blossoms or none at all. The new bulbs take over as they mature.
For the best success with dividing and transplanting lillies experts say that late September or early October is the best time to do it. Another indication that the time is right to divide your plants is when the foilage starts to yellow in the fall. Keep in mind that you should divide your lillies every 2-3 years, not every year.
Cut the plant back so only about six inches of foilage is left above the ground. Now it is time to start digging. Leave plenty of space around the plants so you get all the bulbs. Several inches should be enough. Also, dig down about a foot to be sure you get all the bulbs.
Next, you separate the larger mature bulbs from the smaller bulbs. Replant the bulbs right away so that they do not dry out. The larger bulbs should be planted 5-6 inches in the soil. The smaller bulbs should be planted shallower and then cover with mulch or organic material to help them survive the winter.
Remember when you replant your bulbs that lillies look best in clumps and need to be spaced out so that they have room to grow and mature.
Wasn’t that easy? Next summer you should have healthier lillies and more of them.
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