Need Advice: New growth emerging....

No salvia there. Just irises, lupines, a lone foxglove on the left, and allium.

Those are Lupines then. OPPPS

Help! I planted a bunch of lilies around the yard last year and they have multiplied so much that the ones I put in containers are squeezing each other out. I had 4 or 4 in a large wooden half barrol and now there are 20 or so growing in it. Should I try and transplant the smaller ones so they can get some light or should I wait until after the big ones bloom? (I doubt the little ones are going to get enough light to bloom this year.) Most of the big ones are between 2 and 3 ft high so far with no buds yet. But the little ones are fighting for sun and are short and scraggly between the big guys. I'm afraid if I try to transplant the smaller weaker ones now it will disturb the larger ones. (They are very tightly packed), WIll the weaker ones
What do you lily experts suggest?

If they're that tall, then I'd wait at least until they're done blooming.

Pirl, I throw them in about anywhere I can. I tried the big ones at my last place and they didn't do to well, but the drumsticks here just took off. We'll see how they do this year. I may order a few of the large-flowered alliums this fall to see what happens. I love your allium pic and LOVE your lupines...you are another one who really does a great job with combinations for a terrific effect.

Thanks for the compliment, Steve. Actually I meant to ask which online site do you use for ordering the alliums?

I moved some allium bulgaricum last year that came up unexpectedly in one of my Japanese iris gardens just before they were about to bloom so lost all the blooms on them but they're in bud now in their new location, whew!

Lupine has to be the easiest plants to grow. Either allow the seeds to fall from the pods wherever they please and do nothing to help Mother Nature or gather the seeds and place them on the soil where you want them to grow. Currently we must have a few hundred waiting for a friend to come and rescue them. There is a limit on how many we want! Can you count how many are in this square foot? (Too many to survive!)

Ahh Pirl- well the ones I bought that did not do well were from Scheepers or Van Engelen (though I am sure I was at fault as the bulbs were fine when they arrived)....the drumsticks that did really well were from Old House Gardens

MdV, Cream Puff, and White Cap - bed is only two years old

White Cap, Red Charm and Cream Puff

Oh! Almost forgot - Garden Treasure!

Oooh, Stevie, Keep the pictures coming!! They give me hope that we'll get a great peony spring too!!

LOL Diann I just realized I posted those on the wrong thread.....!!!!! Somehow I got diverted from the peony forum. But thank you! I am up past my bedtime. Screwing with the pool pump which doesn;t want to cooperate and i am gonna be dead tired at work tomorow.

Hey I have lilies from Scheepers ,planted last fall ,bulbs were looking good if a bit small. Other lilies planted later are up Scheepers are spotty.

I knew I didn't recognize them as any allium I've ever seen!

Just found this thread. I'm a big fan of alliums and lilies. And drumsticks work really well.

mstish, I would not mess with those baby lilies till after the mature plants have bloomed. While those little guys don't get much light, they probably get enough to absorb nutrients, and I think that if you were to move them, you'd find they would not bloom anyway, but their bulbs are gaining strength.

When I separated crowded lilies, they failed to produce as well that year. They had nice flowers, but much fewer. It is better to wait till everything has bloomed before you separate them.

I'm assuming you're referring to the young , thin stems like the ones in the photo. You'll notice they're not nearly as thick as the mature plants. I'm not expecting anything from these little guys (got lots of them) other than a stronger, more mature bulb.

Hi everyone!
I have a question that I hope someone can answer! I have all these asiatic lilies coming up, and would like to move some of them. Is it possible to move them now....while they are growing????
Thanks,
Marcy

How big are they right now?

The smaller they are the easier they are to move.

Pirl...the foliage is about 6-8 inches high.

A picture would help. Are they mixed in with taller lilies or alone? If they are alone I'd chance moving them if you feel you have a better spot for them. Keep them moist as you move them (not drenching but moist).

Just from my own experience, the stronger the stem the easier they are to move. It's digging that's tricky since they have a way of sometimes not growing straight up but wander below the soil before they emerge due to stones, roots, rocks, etc. I'd dig wide enough to avoid injury to them. Also, I'd dig deeper than you think might be required.

Good luck! Let us know how well you did moving them.

Use a fork,you'r less likely to split the bulb.

Thanks much folks! I do think I will try it. They are growing alone except for thousands of grape hyacinth bulbs...lol. Those...well..let's just say...they can be dispensable!
I'll let you know how it went!!

good luck

The fork advice is excellent. I think I got it from you ge. I was either cutting bulbs with my shovel, cringing because I was afraid of cutting bulbs with my shovel, or leaving them in place (which makes them decline). Taking your advice, I lifted at least 20 lilies without losing one, and actually had the fun of giving some away. It seems like a little thing, but for me it was fabulous, and thank you.

........it's a long wait for the first boom

I learned the hard way. I didnt have many lilies in my first gardens and lost lots until Victor on Northest grdn forum sais use a fork, Its so logical when you think about it.
I am moving some persicaria today.They are small now but its their second year,you know what that means.

This message was edited Apr 30, 2010 6:39 AM