I, too, have magic lilies and they bloom beautifully in August. However, this was not always the case. They don't like to be moved and will sulk for several years. While the abundant foliage takes a while to die down, I make a point of not removing it until it is completely dead and is easily removed. Other than waiting until the foliage is easily removed, I don't give them any special care. I don't even fertilize them. I hope this helps.

Depending upon just how long you have had them planted in the same place, they may have gotten crowded by multiplying, and the bulbs have become smaller....Just as daffodils do.

I have some clumps that have maybe 25 bulbs each in them, yet will only send up 5-10 blooms. TMine are ready to divide, since the number of blooms seems to be declining each year.

If you have had them several years now, you may want to dig and divide yours. I'm not sure however just when the best time to do that is though. I just tend to do things whenever I can think of it and have the time to do it...otherwise nothing would ever get divided and moved.

Sue

Sue and wvbetsy, thank you for your help. These bulbs have been in this spot for forever, so it sounds like dividing is in order. I hate to admit that I have never divided bulbs. I know that these are picky about being disturbed. Also, I know that bulbs form baby bulbs attached to the parent. Would it work to just remove some of the bulb clusters, or do I need to break each bulb cluster apart?

What I have found when I divided mine were that the 6 original bulbs had turned into about 25 good sized bulbs...no really baby ones like with so many other bulbs. They were all about the same size...big, and looked to me to likely be blooming sized once they got over sulking and getting established. Not that many were still attached to the 'mother' bulb. I think it would be fine either way...leaving it attached or not. possibly someone else will have more knowledge about it though. Just don't place them too closely together in the hole, or they will be starting to be crowded once again once they get over sulking.

Have fun. It sounds like you likely have many blooms to be enjoyed in years to come. The bulbs are quite expensive to buy. 5 for $20 plus shipping and I have seen them also at 3 for $15.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lycoris squamigera culture

I have some crowded clumps needing division as well, and, although they do tend to sulk when transplanted or divided, the best time seems to be just as the foliage begins to yellow and die down - that's late May, early June around here. I figure they may go a year or two without blooming, but if they haven't bloomed in the last two years anyway, what's the difference?

BTW - I have found that interplanting them with daffodils and daylilies adds a third season of bloom to that combo in the garden.

Thanks, guys, for all the helpful info. Interesting how the bulbs are not baby sized and not attached to the mother. I've often wondered how the old fashioned daffodils spread so much in the old fields and abandoned homesites. Since I've never dug into bulb clumps, I just couldn't fathom this. Perhaps they do the same as magic lilies.

The planting depth on the link you provided, Sue, was a shocker. I had always heard a good rule of thumb for bulbs was 3 times the size of the bulb. I'll bet all mine are way too deep - another thing that may be my problem. Odd that the link doesn't warn of the troublesome sulking after division.

I can't wait until the foliage dies back so I can discover what lies beneath the surface.

You're sure right about the expense. Same is true of hostas. I've seen a small piece for $3-5 when they grow into such huge mounds. One could make a fortune. :)

I just had some magic lilies finally sprout after sulking underground for nearly two years. I thought they were goners but didn't want to risk poking around with a shovel.

I'm glad they finally sprouted.... but we are moving this summer so out they come again!

I just had some magic lilies finally sprout after sulking underground for nearly two years.
They really did not even emerge at all in 2007? I find that so hard to believe...particularly since they are indeed still there. Might you have maybe gotten busy with living life and just missed the foliage last season?...I know quite unlikely probably for you.

Sue

mine send up leaves every spring. They die back in July. Then I wait in vain. It's the third year next spring. Hopeful for