I am not the indoor potted lily expert. I have never ever tried what you are trying to do. However I do grow alot of lilies outdoors. (And by the way...we were all newbies at one point).

This is the deal on lilies in the garden: they love sun, should be planted down 6" minimum, do not like wet feet (sitting in water), some do well in part sun (i.e. 4 hours a day). After they bloom, (don't cut off too many flowers for your vases) you must let the stalk die back naturally - that's how the bulb gets food for next year's blooms.

I have no idea if your potted bulb is going to transition to outside in the ground. Maybe you should just enjoy it when it blooms...put it in a sunny place and see if you can overwinter it by letting the stalk die back naturally. Or...if you really want to plant some lilies at a good price, go to John Scheepers and get some online. They have excellent stock and very good prices. I have found that the Fall is a better time to plant rather than the Spring (for the one reason that I have alot to do in the Spring and seem to get them in too late).

BTW, there is also a Lily forum. Maybe you'll get an answer over there that is more informative than mine.

Ciao,
OITGAD

It really is advisable to plant that lily outdoors. If it was mine, I would take the flowers off and water a bit less. Do not let is dry out as lilies never go dormant. I would put it in a cooler place and let the foliage go brown and then put it in the ground. You can do this even when there is snow as long as the ground is not frozen. The other choice is to stick it in the ground now and leave it alone. If it doesn't die back naturally to feed it's self then do not let it bloom next summer. It will grow foliage and start reproducing. Let the foliage die back naturally and the following year you will have several stalks blooming. Remember they need good drainage or they will rot. Some bulb food or bone meal would be good also when you plant it. You can also top dress with manure and then mulch after the ground freezes. You could store the pot in the fridge, water lightly whenever it starts drying out and plant it early in the spring. It may not bloom but it will the following year. You could also just put the plant outside in the pot right now and leave it until spring. Lay it on it's side and cover it with mulch or soil. Or you can store it in a cool place that does not get a lot of freeze and thawing. Freezing won't hurt it.

You can try growing indoors - I have never heard anyone with success or failure either way. However, they do need cold dormancy.

The best thing for this plant, is to plant in the ground. I know you said you have no access to plant outdoors, but if you really want this plant to survive, you will let it bloom and give it to someone you know who can plant it in the ground. Otherwise, I'm afraid you will lose it.

Susan

Thanks guys for your help. I guess this plant is going to a new home soon then. Hmmm, who wants it?

Tyshee, why do you say to cut the flowers now? I read that one shouldn't cut the flowers or else next year bloom will be less. I'm confused! Anyway, thing is, Lily isn't exactly my choice of a plant anyway. It was part of a gift.

I'll just let it die back naturally, then come back to this forum to ask what to do next. As to how to prepare it for it's 'next stage'. I'll try finding someone to give it to coz I for sure am not keeping it anymore.

I was given a Lilly and all the flowers fell off.will they grow back or is it dying?