Yikes!
Earlier I had one lily just sort of "out of the blue" flop over close to the base. The stem in that area was brownish, thin and flattened but there was no external bite mark. It was consistent with it "missing its pith" in that spot. I wish I had taken a closer look at it now. It sounds like what you have.

I only had it happen to that one lily. If anyone else has any experience with this type of thing I'd be glad to hear it too.

-Helen

No better word than "Yikes" to describe it, Helen.

I hope somebody will have some info....I have found nothing in any of my gardening references or on the web that describes this problem.

- Steve

Sounds like lily borer,doesn't it? they bore out the pith inside the stem, close to the ground. I'm not sure what the cure is, but I have heard to prevent them you have to cut circles into little squares of carpet and put the carpet squares around the stems at the base of the plant. Apparently the borer comes up from the ground and starts invading the plant at ground level.

Now I've told you more than I actually know.

Lainey