With their vibrant colors and striking speckled petals, tiger lilies are a favorite among garden enthusiasts. These beautiful bulbs have the ability to naturalize and multiply over time, creating a delightful cluster of plants. If you want to enhance their growth, increase blooming, and expand your collection of these charming lilies, then it’s time to consider transplanting tiger lilies. In this article, we will explore when and how to transplant these exquisite plants, ensuring a flourishing garden for years to come.
When Should I Transplant Tiger Lilies?
Tiger lilies are robust perennial bulbs that grace our gardens with their stunning blooms during the summer season. While they come in various colors, their deep orange hue with speckled petals is particularly captivating. Over time, the number of blooms will increase, adding more beauty to your garden. While tiger lilies can be propagated through different methods such as bulbs, scales, bulbils, or seeds, the quickest and easiest way is by dividing established bulbs. Transplanting tiger lilies at the right time is essential for a successful outcome.
You're reading: Transplanting Tiger Lilies: A Guide to Enhancing Growth and Beauty
You can transplant summer-blooming bulbs like tiger lilies at any time of the year, but timing is crucial if you want to avoid sacrificing flowers. The perfect time to transplant tiger lily bulbs is when the foliage has died back. Remember to mark the area before all the greenery disappears, as this will help you locate the bulbs effortlessly.
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These bulbs are remarkably hardy, even in regions with freezing temperatures, and generally do not require indoor overwintering. Autumn is the ideal time when the greenery is naturally dying back, making it the best time to transplant the bulbs. If you’re transplanting live plants, ensure you plant them at the same depth they were growing and provide adequate water for them to reestablish.
How to Transplant Tiger Lily Plants
Contrary to what you might think, you won’t actually be transplanting the plants themselves unless you’re willing to sacrifice some flowers and move them during the growing season. If you wait until fall, you’ll only need to move the bulbs. To remove the bulbs, use a shovel and cut straight down several inches away from where the plants were.
Dig carefully, ensuring you’re far enough from the main clump of the plant, or plants, to avoid cutting the bulbs. Gradually excavate inward until you uncover the bulbs. Gently lift them and remove any excess soil. If the bulbs are clumped together, delicately separate them, and trim off any remaining plant material.
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After lifting and separating the bulbs, inspect them for any rotten spots or discoloration. Discard any unhealthy bulbs to ensure optimal growth. Prepare the bed by loosening the soil to a depth of 8 inches and enrich it with organic matter and bone meal.
Plant the bulbs 6 to 10 inches apart, at a depth of 6 inches. Ensure the pointed side faces upwards, while the roots are directed downwards. Firmly press the soil around the bulbs and water thoroughly to settle it. If you have inquisitive squirrels or other digging creatures, consider placing a section of chicken wire over the area until the plants sprout in spring.
Transplanting tiger lily bulbs is a simple process that yields rewarding results. By following these steps, you’re guaranteed bigger and more vibrant flowers in your garden. Share the joy of these stunning blooms by giving away a few bulbs to fellow gardening enthusiasts every few years. Happy gardening!
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Category: Lily
