You can cut the babies off to divide the plant, but I don't think the mama cut be cut down and it will grow back. Let's see what others say.

I'd like to know, too. Mine are not only ratty looking, they're overpowering my rosemary and have already caused a 'dead zone' in it. cora

bump

Can you/should you cut them down to the ground? Cut all the leaves off of the stem? Or do you just prune off the ugly leaves? My neighbor's yard man prunes off the ugly leaves and she has kind of bizarre looking little crinum trees.

And while we're asking for crinum advice, can I go to her and suggest that I should dig her babies? What do I need to do to make sure I don't damage her established plants? They have really pretty flowers, so I'd love to tidy up that plot for her before her yard man does it by killing the babies, but only if there's a way to do it that salvages the babies without stunting or damaging the mother plants. Advice on how to do it and how to reassure her I won't hurt anything?

Susannah

Crinum 'babies' grow next to and around the 'mother' plant so they can be cut or broken away from 'her'. Sometimes, merely pulling back the soil from around the plant will expose the new growth. Sometimes, you have to go deeper with a shovel. Then is when it pays to have a very sharp, narrow bladed knife so you can cut the babies from the mother plant/bulb. Even if you slice a bit from 'mom', she will continue to be fruitful. Simply replace the soil, pack it down and give her a good drink of water. Like the old timer said; "you can tell where a house used to be by the layout of the crinum plants." cora

Thanks Cora. I'll talk to her about it next time I run into her walking the dog. These are the pretty purple/white striped crinums that would be a nice little addition to my front yard.

Susannah

Well, I guess since no one knows I will cut her down to the ground and let ya's know what happens.

Tropcialfreak

What happened @Tropicalfreak?

I dont recall Tropical Freaks real name..was it Jeremy?