I just found another one that worked its way to the surface. It protrudes about a quarter of the way above the ground.
Can I replant this now? Its not putting any shoots up yet.




or wait til Fall?

If it were me, I wouldn't move it now, rather I would just cover it with dirt and if you want to move it, do it in the fall when it is less stressful for the bulbs. Can't say I have ever seen a mart. come up out of the ground that way.

Thanks so much.
Yes I found anotherone late last summer and moved it R O Backhouse.Those marts are so finnicky.I just dont want to loose any now that they are established.
I have clay soil and wonder if that might be the problem.

Usually even with clay soil, if you add ample compost, they'll do fine. I think they tolerate it wetter than some lilies as long as the drainage is good. The ones I have are under high shade and seem to like it.

Of all the plants I have had and lost I think if the Marts goI will be crushed.
They were planted wit our compost and potting soil mixed about 5 years ago.Such a sweet clump.#2 bulbs.I got them from American Meadows,just a species I think.
I would like some fancier ones but the prices are stupendous these days.


So nice with Samobor geranium

They look pretty happy in your pictures. They are pretty special flowers and having grow them from seed now, I can see why the prices are high. They take a long time to flower. Wow. I have 4 year bulbs still waiting for their first flowers. I used to think the prices were high until I tried to grow them from seed. Now I just appreciate the true martagon hybridizer more than ever


You bulbs look nice and established. Hopefully adding some compost/dirt mix over your bulbs will help them grow and protect them for the summer. In fall, just remember that top pic and how many more you have to transplant and what a great treat that will be next year.

You have been a great help.

Wow. I love them!
Will take a while for my martagons to bloom.
Last summer I transplanted in the garden really tiny bulblets from seeds.. and i thought i was stupid. But... I could see some small leaves last Sat.
I was really excited.
Looks like they are really strong and hardy.

You are growing martagons from seeds?
I just started some seeds.

Martagon seeds are fun, but require patience in awaiting blooms. Always hope in a new year for first blooms. Good luck with your seeds Caroline. They are hypogeal germination, so require the cold period to get that first leaf. They seem to do best if you leave them in an undisturbed setting for a couple years (a pot instead of rapid transplant to the outside). But I am by no means an expert. That's just been my experience so far.

Caroline, looks like you'll be doing what I did the first time I started martagon seeds about ten years ago.

I had planted them in April-May, not realizing their normal pattern of growth. When they didn't come up that spring or summer, I just said to myself "oh well", but even back then I always kept my seeded pots of everything for at least two seasons. The second season I was "surprised" with the one leaf of each seedling, and I was prompted to do some research... They grew exactly as they were supposed to!

Yes, I intend to keep them through two winters.
I still have the jugs from ones I began two years ago----but I went digging in it and I think maybe mice had got to it before I did.
However, live and learn! I am keepng the jugs in case they send up green shoots this year-as they did last year.

One thing I just learned was the size of the first bulb is quite tiny----they say the size of a wheat seed.
I had been looking for maybe a pea size or hazelnut size!?

I shall try for 3 month cycles of warm cold warm and see if I can get them started sooner.

Yes Caroline. I got some seeds from someone in Canada. I wish I remembered how I went about them... if I have some notes, I will let you know.
I am supposed to have the white and pink forms.
We'll see in a few years, I guess.

Yes, keep us informed as to the progress of your lilies from seeds.
I obtained seeds from one commercial source, from a local lily gardener, and from the NARGS Seed Exchange.
So I am hoping for a variety if they germinate and grow.

If all goes well, Caroline, two growing seasons and one winter should do the trick.

A wheat seed is a good analogy. I have to say, martagon seeds that I've grown with 3 month cycles inside the house are usually even smaller! I suspect they are a little bigger when they are grown outside, where the environment is more amenable. Consequently, the one seedling leaf that will emerge in the second growing season will be larger, too. For me so far, the largest hypogeal germinating lily seed bulbs have been L. monadelphum and L. polyphyllum.

Good to know!
As far as I know I do not have those.

Could someone explain the way lilies are called by bulb companies?
Several that I bought as bulbs say "Novelty species lily"--but when I look them up they are hybrids
of orientale and trumpet lilies? Is this marketing or? am I missing something?
I would expect a species lily to be a single species? and not a hybrid?

And I am sorry Joanne! somehow I hijacked your thread by asking my questions here.

Simply put, it's a bunch of baloney. Like "Lily Trees", for example. Best you come here first and ask about these suspicious descriptions before putting down your $$$!!

Connie: Lily Trees must be made up to describe the OT's that get so huge the second year.
Robins had nearly 2 inch diameter stems
Shocking was huge the second year too and nearly 7 feet tall

Yes, the "lily Tree" is another that circulates up here too.
They are just hybrids too.
Yes, I best come and ask here!