True lilies in pots query...

last year

I have several large pots of Asiatic lilies which came thru the past winter on the deck like champions, thanks to a clever home-made protection system. My question is regarding how lily roots perform.

I know that lily bulbs planted in the ground can/will pull themselves deeper for their optimum preference. I just noticed that the potted ones on my deck have what looks to be areas on the stems above the soil that are likely incipient roots (they are merely little bumps on the stems at the moment).

If I add a bit more soil on top of the existing level, will these become extra roots to feed/stabilize the plants?? I'm thinking an inch or two more potting mix, just enough to cover the root bumps.

Good idea? Or not? Thanks for any advice!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

last year

I grow ALL my lilies in containers (and everything else). Adding an inch or so of additional potting soil will not hurt them at all and could generate some additional roots.

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Comments (9)

nicole
last year
How deep are the bulbs planted? Zone your in? Home made protection system? How much water are they given?
roxanna thanked nicole
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roxanna
Original Author
last year
gardengal ~ thank you - that's what I hoped.
roxanna
Original Author
last year
nicole ~ Don't recall how deep I planted these lilies in the pots, but they did well last summer and have returned. TBH, they get watered in summer when I think of it, but I haven't killed them yet, lol.

I'm in zone 6a now, apparently!

Homemade protection system : two 4 1/2 foot wood benches turned on their sides, on top of long &wide reflective insulation stuff I found online (about 1/2 inch thickness). Then whole shebang was wrapped with that insulation stuff and "sealed" with packing tape. This was placed in the corner of the house (two of the walls).

They all survived, so it worked really well. I'm very pleased, as I did not have time to plant in the garden and could never have lugged the really heavy pots inside. So I shall enjoy them again this year - - and perhaps even more for a while.
nicole
last year
I'd love to grow some in a pot...but...our Winters are SUPER cold....and altitude is 7600'. Feels like Alaska!

FYI: I found a GREAT deal on super tall red lilies from Home Depot...and the shipping is FREE!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Garden-State-Bulb-14-cm-16-cm-Asiatic-Lily-Red-Velvet-Flower-Bulbs-Bag-of-10-ECS-38-10-01/325004407
roxanna thanked nicole
murraysmom Zone 6a OH
last year
Nicole, my neighbor has these and they are gorgeous. I'm not sure where she got them. I'm surprised the deer haven't eaten them yet. That is why I can't do them.
roxanna thanked murraysmom Zone 6a OH
roxanna
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
nicole -- Just yesterday, one pot of my lilies opened its first bloom! These are a soft clear pink and not pale or washed out. Really pretty! There are 8 more post ready to bloom - soft yellow and a cream-white, all Asiatics with no spots. And they are crowding the deck... Going to be beautiful for the coming (hot) days!

Now I must figure out what to do with them going forward. Each pot has between 5 and 8 big bulbs, and some have made babies. I think they were happy with the method (see above post) I conjured up to carry them thru the past winter with my makeshift protection. But what to do with so many lilies? I do have occasional deer and also rabbits here, as well as underground critters that like to eat the bulbs directly. le sigh.

Putting them in the gardens is going to be a huge job for this 79-year old... Guess a purchase of hardware cloth (in bulk, lol) is in order, and making "cages" for them all. But not until the hot & humid horrible weather cools a bit. Or perhaps I shall just give them away! Wish me luck. =)
nicole
last year
last modified: last year
@murraysmom Zone 6a OH...Do the deer eat you day lilies? We spray them with something that smells like mint....and the deer leave them alone. I'd love to grow lilies in deck pots. Buying annual arrangements, then throwing them out...seems so wasteful!

Red Verbena & petunias.

@roxanna...Could I wrap the plastic pot with insulation inside the clay pot? Would that be enough?
roxanna thanked nicole
roxanna
Original Author
last year
nicole -- I honestly don't know if that would be enough, but I think it's worth trying. My understanding is that lily bulbs do need a cold period to go thru their routine, so any insulation could do the trick to prevent them from freezing hard in the pots.

I had thought of something similar before I did my "system".

I say to go for it! What do you have to lose, really? Bulbs can be bought inexpensively if it doesn't work. =)