Lilies, do you want more ?
Identical Clones
The highlighted differences between Asiatics and Orientals are not limited to the flowery show itself. The propagation speed and vigor follow the same pattern. While both lilies can be propagated by gardeners using a technique called scaling, the lilies will also multiply asexually by themselves in the ground by creating offsets: The lilies will form identical clones of themselves in the form of small miniature bulbs.
These bulblets are created automatically with no help required by the gardener. It is as easy as planting a lily bulb, waiting a few years, and you have a group of lilies. Of course, these bulblets can be harvested and replanted in nursery beds for higher yields, if you like.
Oriental Lilies are rather frugal when it comes to natural offsets. It is not uncommon to find only 1 or 2 offsets per year and with a long lead time until flowering. Orientals are thus best propagated by scaling in order to increase stock. Asiatic Lilies on the other hand will develop an abundance of offsets making scaling unnecessary for the home gardener.
Lilies may create bulblets, e.g. miniature offsets, in one of two places. The typical place is by the roots which form by the stem just below soil level. Another method is by the formation of aerial bulblets, called bulbils, in the leaf axis in some varieties of Asiatic Lilies.
Aerial Bulbils
Bulbils are small outgrowth-like buds that develop in the leaf axis; where the leaves are attached to the stem. Gradually they turn into brown or black spheres and fully developed bulbils will fall to the ground just as the lily flowers. Typically, the Asiatic Hybrid lilies which have Lilium lancifolium ("The Tiger Lily") in their parentage will have inherited this ability. Matured bulbils can be harvested just before they fall and can be planted shallowly in small pots. Sometimes, the bulbils develop a leaf while still on lily.
Bulbils can very easily get lost, so check back frequently once the lily flowers. When you notice that the first few bulbils has fallen off the lily, harvest the rest and replant immediately.
Bulblets from stem roots
Particularly in Asiatic Hybrid Lilies, bulblets will develop quite extensively just below soil level. Most Orientals also develop these bulblets, but not as vigorously.
As the lily grows, adventitious roots develop by the stem in the upper soil layers. These roots are primarily responsible for supplying
Latest Articles