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| Ask
Lil E. Um part III |
Do
you have unanswered questions about the genus Lilium? We’ll
help you find the answers. Just Contact
Us to send your inquiry.
Be sure to reference “Ask Lil E. Um” and
we’ll find a lily expert with the best advice.
Part I Part
II Part IV Part
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I would like to join
the North Star Lily Society, but would not be able to
make it to meetings. Is that OK??
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
We'd be delighted to have you as a new member. You are
not required to
attend meetings. You would be able to keep in touch with
our events through
our emailed society updates and four informative newsletters
each year.
Perhaps you would be able to make it to an occasional
educational seminar
and hopefully you would be able to take advantage of
a 10% discount at our
annual bulb sales which take place in the spring and
fall.
Thank you for contacting us. We hope you will consider
joining the North
Star Lily Society.
Best regards,
Lil
Message: I bought a yellow
Tiger Lily from a friend, but enroute from her
house to work, it fell over and broke one of the stems of
flowers off. My
question, to you is, will the flower grow another shoot of
flowers where those got
broken off? or is there a chance that the blooms will root
if I put them in water
so as to plant them again? Can you tell I know nothing about
Tiger Lilies....lol.
Thanks Doreen
Hi Doreen,
Thank you for your questions. We are always happy to
share our knowledge of lilies. Unfortunately, I don't
have good news to share with you concerning your Tiger
Lily. A lily is a plant that originates from a scaled
bulb. Each year, an individual bulb sends up one stem.
The flowers for the current year's growth are at the
top of the emerging stem. With garden lilies, we always
do our best to protect that emerging stem. A late hard
frost can often damage the inflorescence of a lily
stem, or garden pests like rabbits and deer may nibble
away the top of the stem. We then have to wait another
year to enjoy it's bloom.
So, for your broken stem, if the buds
are far enough along, you may be able to see it in bloom
in a vase. The broken stem will not root in the vase and
that bulb will not send up another stem this year. If the
stem broke in a place that still leaves a partial stem
attached to the bulb in the pot, that partial stem will
help nourish the bulb for next year's growth. When your
garden is plantable and the danger of frost diminishes,
I'd plant the lily bulb in your garden outside. Even if
the bulb doesn't have much of a stem left on it, I'd still
plant it outside and mark the spot. Plant it in a sunny
area that has good drainage, perhaps a little deeper than
it was in the pot. Although we are just beginning to enjoy
the Spring of 2007, you'll be sort of 'putting a lily in
the bank' for the summer of 2008.
Lilies add such a beautiful vertical
element to our gardens and it's easy to find space to tuck
in another cultivar or two to add more color to your summer
landscape. nother excellent website for you to visit for
more lily culture information and lily photographs is that
of the North American Lily
Society. Visit www.lilies.org.
Happy Gardening!
-Lil
Message: We recently
settled in a small cottage in Pennsylvania which had
many varieties of flowers. The delightful thing was seeing
new ones coming
at various stages of the spring and summer. In one corner
was an abundance
of what looked like jonquil leaves but no blooms, although
we watched
carefully. The foliage died back during July and is gone.
Now, in August,
there are the most beautiful flowers that look like a lily
species but there
is no foliage...and many, many stems with an abundance of
flower blossoms in
a pinkish lilac color and faintly fragrant. The bulbs are
about 1 " in
diameter and not too deeply planted ( about 4 inches.) Can
you tell me what
I am seeing? I have photos but do not know how to send them
to you.
Eleanor
Hello Eleanor,
Thank you for visiting our website. We receive many questions
about the plant to which you are referring. It goes
by several nicknames,
'Resurrection Lily,' 'Naked Ladies' and 'Surprise Lily'
to name a few. They
are not real lilies, meaning that they are not members
of the genus lilium,
which is our focus of interest. Their latin name is 'Lycoris
squamigera'
and they originated in Japan. They are members of the
amaryllis family. If
you do an 'Image' search on google for Lycoris squamigera,
you'll find all
kinds of photos and websites dedicated to information
about these plants.
They are perennial and fairly hardy. I've had them growing
in my garden
here in Minnesota for many years and I remember my Grandmother
growing them,
too. NSLS does have a photo and another question about
them on one of our
earlier "Ask Lil" pages.
It is delightful to have little surprises
to enjoy in our gardens, isn't it?
Best regards,
Lil
Lil -- Do you know of a reference
that lists the lily species and their USDA
zone suitability? I'm interested in growing some of
the more obscure
species but cannot find this information. Thanks.
For an informed response to this
question, we contacted U of M Professor
Neil Anderson:
Hi Lil,
The monographs we usually use at the University of
Minnesota are:
1. Griffiths, M. Index of garden plants. Timber Press.
2. Bailey Hortorium. Hortus III.
Neil
Message:
Our surprise lilies seem to appear
almost overnight this time of year--one day, nothing
since the leaves have all died, then suddenly we have
2 foot stems with buds. How quickly do they break
through the ground and reach that height?
Doris
Hi Doris,
I have 'Surprise Lilies' too. They
are not actually lilium, which are the plants that the
North Star Lily Society has as its focus of interest,
they are Lycoris Squamigera which are members of the
amaryllis family. We do receive many questions about
plants that are not members of the genus lilium. I've
never actually timed my 'Surprise Lilies'. Because
the blooms arrive on stalks that seem to come out of
no where, I think that it probably takes about a week
for their push from the ground to bloom stage and then
they may be in bloom for a week beyond the growth spurt. Their
green stem almost hides itself among other plants and
I don't even notice it until the buds start coloring
up and blooming. It is quick though, sometimes
it seems to appear overnight, but I think it's just because
I don't really notice it until it is in flower. Because
they come into bloom later in the season, the plant 'rushes'
to put itself into its bloom cycle before it
is time for the dormancy of the winter months. Check
out the website: http://www.aogc.org/shade/000107.html This
informative site is produced by the Arlington Organic
Garden Club of Arlington, Texas, a much different growing
zone than Minnesota, but the plant culture information
is useful and approximately the same as we experience
here for 'Surprise Lilies'. There are many plants
that have lily as a part of their name, but are not actually
lilies. Check out the culture page on the website
of the North American Lily Society: http://lilies.org/culture.html This
wonderful website gives a great explanation of the genus
lilium and also has an excellent photo gallery that displays
many varieties of 'official' lilies. Also, scroll
back through some of our older Ask Lil E. Um questions,
we've received and responded to other questions about
Lycoris.
I hope we've been helpful. Enjoy
your 'Surprise Lilies' you've reminded me to go out and
look for mine. With the extreme dry heat of our
2006 summer, I hope I don't miss their appearance.
Best regards,
Lil
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Hi Lil.My question
is this.
Seven years ago my Great Aunt gave me some tiger lilies
pretty orange ones. Any way I planted them in the front
yard on both sides of my house in between the steps.
On one side of the house where some of the lilies were
planted I noticed that they were not doing as well
as the others on the other side. I believe this
is because it is shadier on that side and when it rains
it causes the flowers on that side to droop. I have
not had any blooms for sometime on that side of the
house. I thought of transplanting all the flowers from
both sides of the house to a sunnier spot where there
is less shade. I want to plant shade plants in the
front yard instead I just don't know what yet. But
anyway when will I be able to transplant my flowers
could I do it this fall? I should mention that where
I want to plant them is kinda weedy. I want to kill
all the weeds FIRST before re-planting the flowers.
I want to get a weed killer that won't harm my flowers
what can I get?
Please let me know thanks a lot.
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
Isn't if fun to receive plants from
friends and relatives? These become part of our heritage
and when we see them we remember the kindness of the giver.
Your tiger lilies are most probably lilium lancifolium.
These lilies were some of the most favorite plants
in old perennial gardens. It sounds like your tiger
lilies have found themselves in challenging places in your
yard. They would prefer a sunny, well drained spot in your
gardens. Moving them from the shade will give them a big
boost. If you have a new site picked out, and it is full
of weeds, it is great that you are planning on clearing
it first. Some folks don't like using chemical weed killers.
One way to avoid this is to mow them down and then cover
the area with a layer of black plastic, to sort of roast
the weeds. Leave it in place for a couple of weeks. That
should make it easier to clear them out. A reliable chemical
way is to use a product like 'Round Up'. Be sure to follow
directions on the bottle because this chemical is an herbicide.
It kills all plant material, but doesn’t remain in
the ground. This type of chemical can be sprayed on the
weeds. But be careful, any herbaceous plant will be affected
by a product like this. If you have other plants or even
grass nearby, do not spray on a windy day. Some folks use
an old mop dipped in the herbicide to swab the weeds with
the liquid. When the weeds are dead and removed, you can
then plant your lily bulbs. In Minnesota, we start dividing
and transplanting our lilies in September and early October.
Be sure to check out our photo gallery for instructions
on how to divide lily bulbs. Plant them and then mulch
the garden well. This is especially important the first
winter. Next spring, watch your garden and remove any little
weeds that show up. Some of this year's weed seeds may
have survived. Mulch between your lilies should help keep
them under control, or else use a 'pre-emergent' herbicide
to kill the seeds. But remember, a pre-emergent herbicide
will also kill any seeds you mean to plant in your garden.
Good luck with your tiger lilies!
Lil |
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Message: I have
planted some nicotiana amongst my lilies. I have
been since advised they are poisonous to lilies. Is
this true?
Jean
Hi Jean,
The flowers of some varieties of Nicotiana,
also known as 'flowering tobacco' are very fragrant
and I can see why folks add them to their gardens. As
annuals, they add continuous color in summer after some
of our perennials end their bloom cycle. Your question
about their affect on lilies is one that we have not had
before. All parts of Nicotiana are known to
be poisonous for consumption by animals and humans, but
should not affect other plants. We believe that they
will not cause problems with your lilies.
Best regards,
Lil |
Message:
I
have a number of Asiatics that have broken off during
bloom that I thought was from wind. On closer
inspection, there is a granular white material (stem?)
and the stem is hollow. My Orientals aren't looking
very good either, but that looks more like fungus. Is
there a lily borer in Minnesota? Are my bulbs
at risk? I really can't find any information about
this problem and need a pretty quick answer, if that
is possible. I have photos of the stems if that
would be helpful.
 I
think we may have found the critter. Stalk borer?? A
vacant lot behind us was excavated in June to build a house. I
think they may have migrated to my yard and found paydirt. Anyway,
here are the photos. Would appreciate your thoughts. It
really looks serious out there. Thanks much for a
quick response. |
I'm in Spring Park out
by Mound/Lake Minnetonka.
Connie
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Lil
emailed NSLS member Franci Nelson, who has one of the
largest lily gardens among society members.
Hi Connie,
From what I can see in the picture
it looks like corn borer. We have had it in a few stems
in the past and unfortunately you have to just dig the whole
thing, stem and bulb, and put it in the garbage...do
not compost it!! To my knowledge there is not really anything else you
can do to prevent this, it just picked a few of your lilies
to feed on and lay their eggs.
Corn borer is everywhere just like
the iris borer and for what ever reason it also on occasion
likes the stems of lilies. We have not had a reoccurrence
in our garden for a couple years so I wouldn't be worried
that you are being inundated with this problem.
I hope this answers your question.
Franci Nelson |
We have received two questions
from gardeners growing lilies in warmer climates than
our own. Zone 7 and 10B. For information, we
have again called on our lily expert from the South,
Dr. Art Evans. Dr. Evans successfully grows and
hybridizes many lilies, specializing in asiatics and
orienpets. These questions are right up his alley. Thank
you, Art, for sharing your wisdom with us.
Lil
Message:
I have some asiatic lilies which have already bloomed. Now
I want to know if I should let the leaves brown to feed the
bulb for next year or cut them to the ground, or what?
I live in Zone 10B in the Southwest and this is my first
year growing these beautiful flowers.
Thanks
Daveen,
Message:
Which orienpet lilies, if any, are
most likely to be successful in Zone 7? I gather
from reading various sources that they prefer colder climates.
Thanks!
Lela
Dear Daveen,
If you want to try to keep these
lilies to bloom next year, keep them well watered and fertilized
until the foliage turns yellow. Your climate probably does
not stay cold enough to fulfill the winter chill requirement
for asiatics, which means they probably would not grow
well next year if left outside. Try bringing some of the
bulbs inside, packed in dry peat in a poly bag, after they
go dormant in August or September. Keep them in the refrigerator
as near to 32 F as possible for 12 or more weeks. Plant
out when cool weather comes. Your climate may be somewhat
Mediterranean, which means the growing seasons are somewhat
reversed, compared to the cool climates where Liliums are
native. If you use your refrigerator well, you may have
lilies waaaaay before anyone else next spring.
Dear Lela,
Almost all lilies prefer a cooler
climate than zone 7. There are a few species (L. longiflorum
and L. formosanum, easy from seed) and some orienpets which
perform well with morning sun and afternoon shade in the
hot, humid South. Try 'Leslie Woodriff', 'Scheherazade',
and the American Series ( 'American Heritage', 'American
Spirit', American Bandstand',etc). I would avoid OTs bred
for the Dutch cut-flower market. Many of them do not hold
up well in warm-climate gardens.There may be exceptions,
of course. If you love lilies and have plenty of room,
by all means try them all and let me know what does well
for you. If a new variety comes back stronger in the second
and third years, you've got a winner!
Best wishes to you both,
Art Evans
Hi Heather, Lil received your questions
and forwarded them on to our best Southern Lily
Expert, North American Lily Society member, Art Evans. I'm
including your question and his reply below. Thank
you for your email. There is always something to
be learned by every question.
Message: A
friend just gave me some potted asiatic lilies. They
are currently blooming. I live in northern California
and it is in the 70's during the day and I believe 50's
at night. I have no idea how to take care of these lilies,
but I really don't want them to die. They seem to be
in a rather small pot. Is the best thing to keep them
in this pot until the fall? When I transplant I have
the choice of a larger pot that I could move to achieve
the desired sunlight or a small gardening area on my
patio which, unfortunately, is predominately shady. How
much sun do these need/where would be the best place
to plant them? Also how often should they be watered?
Thank you very much; as you can tell I am rather clueless
when it comes to growing lilies but would much like to
improve! Heather Clemons
Dear Heather,
I don't know what climatic zone you live in, or how many
hours of temps below 40F you get each winter, but it
is likely that you do get enough cool weather to accomplish
the vernalization or winter chill requirement needed
for asiatic lilies to wake up in the spring. They prefer
full sun; anything less produces spindley stems and dwindling
vigor. Sandy loam, on a slope or in a raised bed, suits
them well. Avoid clay soil and a site which has poor
air circulation. Clay soil suffocates roots, and poor
air circulation keeps foliage wet too long when wet with
dew or rain. Both invite diseases. Planting in a frost
pocket is death to "early risers" which come up too early
in the spring. Read: asiatics, LAs, and any OT with more
than a drop of Black Beauty blood. Though forced
lilies are quite exhausted when they finish blooming
in the pot, many do survive when unpotted, planted in
the garden, and watered well for the rest of the growing
season. Extra water is needed because all the roots are
cramped into a tight little wad instead of being spread
out the normal way. After the first season outside, new
roots will have spread out on their own. Most potted
lilies are short-growing, so plant them toward the front
of a bed or above a path which winds around a slope.
Good luck, but be careful! Lilies are addicting. Art
Evans |
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Message: I am looking
for martagon lily seed to start as there has always
seem to be a shortage of martagons for sale. Would you have
any sources of
seed? Best Regards, Ted
Hi Ted,
I know that the North American Lily Society has an active
seed exchange for members. They usually have a nice
selection of hybrid crosses and open pollinated martagon
seeds. If you are not already a member, you might consider
joining NALS. Their website is lilies.org and you'll
find membership information there.We are having
a fall bulb sale at the MN Arboretum on October 16.
Our bulb chair has done a nice job of acquiring a variety
of martagon bulbs from the US and Canada. Watch our
website, in the next couple of weeks we plan on posting
the listing. Members will get first selection, but
we plan on having martagons available for the public
too. I have enjoyed adding to my martagon collection
every fall at our sale.
Denese Erickson
President, NSLS
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Ask Lil E. Um received these questions
and with the help of Dr. Gene Fox, North American Lily Society President,
sent a quick response to a very happy college student. Here is the
email:Message: Hello, my name is Ashley and I am writing
a paper about different flowers and I would like some information
about the lily. Please help me with any of these questions that you
can.
1) Is the lily sporophytes or gametophytes?
2) Can you see the gametophytes?
3) Is the lily complete?
4) Is the lily perfect?
5) How is the lily pollinated and what clues support your reason?
Thank you so much for your help.
Ashley
Reply: Dear Ashley,
My answers are about lilies (true lilies) as in Latin Lilium
1. Lilies make seeds and are gametophytes. No true lily makes spores,
so none are sporophytes.
2. When you say that, I believe you mean, "Can you see the 'gametes?'" One
can see the male gamete, which is pollen as it is on the end of anthers
and it, can become a brown smudge on your clothes if you are not
careful. The pollen is made up of hundreds of tiny spherical grains.
One needs a microscope to see the individual grain of pollen. The
female gamete is inside the ovary or what becomes the seedpod. If
the pods are cut open or dissected before pollination, one can see
the female gametes or ovules (eggs).
3. The lily has a "complete" flower in that it has both
male and female parts.
4. Yes, lilies have both the pistils and the stamens in the same
flower, so it may be said to be "perfect". The word, "monoclinous" is
actually the technical term for perfect in that case.
5. The lily is pollinated by transferring the pollen from the stamens
of one lily flower to the stigma of another lily flower. One knows
the flower is pollinated if, after the petals drop away, the ovary
(seed pod) starts to swell up as seeds grow inside it.
Dr. Gene Fox
President, North American Lily Society |
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I have several lily varieties that I got a long time ago, but have forgotten their names. I got most of them through catalogs outside of Minnesota. Is there any way that I can identify these lily varieties?
Thank you. That's a very good question. I've got a few 'lost name tag' lilies, too. I enjoy them just the same, but it is fun to know their names and very useful if you plan to show them. I think your best bet would be to cut a stem in bloom and take it to a North Star Lily Society, (or any regional lily society show) and see if it could be identified by members who grow a wide variety of named cultivars of the genus lilium. If your lily comes into bloom and there is no show to take it to, I'd contact NSLS and ask if there is someone who would be able to take a look at your lily and see if they could identify it. Every regional lily society has members who have extensive experience in growing, showing and hybridizing lilies and they may be able to recognize and name your stem for you. I believe it would be better to bring the actual stem instead of a photograph because there can be a number of subtle differences in lily cultivars that you can see in the actual flower and stem that you might not be able to detect from a photograph. The next North Star Lily Society show will be in July, 2005. Check our website soon for next year's calendar of events.
Best regards!
Denese Erickson
President, North Star Lily Society
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