Every year, garden lilies are gaining more and more popularity among gardeners . They can be seen not only in the gardens, but also in urban flower beds. Planting material with each season becomes more diverse and affordable. And therefore, questions arise about how to properly care for these flowers. For example, when to dig out lilies for transplantation, and is it necessary to do this at all? Let's look into this issue.
Digging up or not bulbs will depend on the type of plant and the objectives pursued.
There are a lot of varieties and hybrids of lilies in the world, all of them are conditionally divided into 8 groups. In our latitudes, lilies are most often found, which belong to the Asian and LA hybrids. These lilies form a lot of children during the season, which in the spring grow close to the mother’s bulb. If you do not dig them out, over the years this will negatively affect the flowering of your favorites. Children will take away nutrients from adult plants, and their flowering will not be plentiful and luxurious. Your flowers will become small and plain.
Lilies from the Eastern groups and OT hybrids practically do not form children during the season; you can not dig up such varieties. Therefore, when buying a new variety of lily, ask the seller what type your new plant is. Then it will be easier for you to decide when to dig out lilies for transplanting. Experienced growers recommend doing this every year. Transplanting will help to maintain the variety, make flowering luxurious. You will be able to form new flower beds and fight unnecessary weeds.
So when to dig and plant lilies?
If you adhere to the textbook recommendations, then you will need to dig out the bulbs in the summer-autumn period.
- Asian and La Hybrids are dug up between August 15 and 20.
- OT hybrids - from August 25 to the first of September.
- Oriental hybrids - in the first week of September.
As you can see, the deadlines are very tight, and in practice, only those gardeners who plant and maintain the purity of a variety of lilies adhere to this. Even if you dig and transplant a week earlier or later, the plant will not be worse from this. When to dig out lilies for transplant, you decide.
The bulbs that you dig must be planted immediately. If you will not plant immediately, cover the bulbs with moss to prevent drying out, and then hide in a cool place.
When to dig lilies after flowering?
Do not cut the stems and leaves of the lily after flowering! The bulb will not gain the necessary strength in order to bloom next year. If you do not dig out lilies, then it is better to clean the wilted shoots in late autumn or spring. After a flowering period, the lily should rest for about 1.5 months. At this time, the bulb will gain the necessary strength. The only thing that needs to be done is to cut the ovary after flowering so that it does not take away nutrients from the bulb. They usually dig out with a small pitchfork so as not to damage the roots. The stem is cut at a distance of about 15 cm from the bulb, because it develops daughter bulbs that you can plant. The bulb itself should be inspected. If necessary, rinse in a light solution of manganese, cut the roots at a distance of 7-10 cm, plant in a new or old, but prepared place.
Knowing when to dig out lilies for transplantation, you can make your plants bloom abundantly and preserve rare hybrid varieties.
In some areas where there are very severe winters, lilies are recommended to cover with foliage or spruce branches, protecting from freezing.