I've gone a little lily-mad lately. I ordered lots of lilies through Bleek's co-ops, in addition to a few from another source, and they all just arrived. How should I store them, until the ground is dry and warm enough to plant? Do I need to wait until our last frost date (April 27) to plant, or should I just get them in the ground ASAP? I have about 50 bulbs that I need to find spaces for! LOL But my garden will be lovely this summer. . .

Angie

You can plant them as soon as your ground is workable. Meanwhile, I keep my lilies in the fridge. Note, if you do that don't store any apples in the fridge with them.

Just to add to what Diann says, cause she knows her lilies! Lisa (BuggyCrazy) helped me out when I got a whole big order in February, instead of in April when it was supposed to be shipped. Lisa said the ideal temp to keep them in the fridge is 29, but anything above that will keep them pretty good, up to around 40. Don't go below 29. She also told me, because I was concerned about the frost free fridge drying out the bulbs, to pack them in cedar shavings, like you buy at the store for small animal bedding. But you probably would not need to do that, as you will only be storing them for a short time. I've been checking mine on a regular basis, and they're all good. One group just started to sprout. But it's just about time to plant, so they'll be fine.

Thanks! Seems I've been asking this question all over, and this was the first solid answer I got! Hoping to get them in the ground later this week, while it is still warm. Are they likely to bloom the first year when they are planted in the Spring? I don't want to get my hopes up for a gorgeous summer display, and then get only greenery. I have some bulb booster fertilizer--should I add some of that when I plant?

Angie

Mine normally do. I've not necessarily had as good bloom as subsequent years, and sometimes the bloom is a little later than it would normally be, but I usually get blooms from spring planted lilies.

I'm so glad you got an answer to your question on here:)

My spring planted lilies bloom a month later.
The next year they bloom on time.

It probably wouldn't hurt to throw some bulb fertilizer in the hole with them, but I wouldn't get carried away with it. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, it just depends on whether I've remembered to bring it out with me when I'm planting. I usually use Osmocote. And yes, my spring planted lilies do usually bloom for me, but as GE says, not as strong as they do in subsequent years...

Hi, Diann! Good to see you on here! I met you a couple of years ago at the Iowa Round Up. I can't make it this year, which is a bummer. I look forward to it all year!

Angie

Thanks again for all the input. I've been looking up all the pictures and info about them, and putting it all into a table that I can take outside with me, so I remember what they look like, and how tall they get, as I'm planting. Any last minute planting advice? I hope to get them in the ground today, since it is supposed to rain tonight and over the weekend. Lilies have to go fairly deep, don't they? I wish I had some kind of wire baskets to plant them in, so the voles and moles would leave them alone, but I think that would add up pretty quickly for the quantity of bulbs I have to plant! I have 48 lilies, 2 day lilies, and 30 glads to get in the ground! Who needs a gym membership? I just have a garden!

Angie

Hi Angie! Yes, I remember you! Angie, you might want to try mixing in some Permatil in your planting hole when you plant the bulbs. DonnaMack is a great fan of that. Also, Get some of the Plantskydd granular to sprinkle around your new plantings. Both of these will repel voles and other digging critters and the Plantskydd should work on rabbits too.. :)

I didn't make the DGRU last year either and probably won't this year either. I just have way too much stuff to get done and very little time to get it done in. The husband is dragging me off to feed some Minnesota mosquitoes in June under the guise as going fishing. I just know he's taking me along for skeeter bait.... LOL

Do you have a favorite source for getting the Plantskydd? I've never heard of it before, but I'm so afraid the moles and voles will just have a heyday with all my new bulbs! They destroy my tulips, too, though they seem to leave the daffodils and hyacinth alone.

I've used Plantskydd for years for moose control in my yard. LOVE the stuff! Pricey, but worth it. Since moose were my initial reason for purchasing it, I never picked up on the fact it's suggested for voles, which just arrived in my neighborhood last year. I'll be trying it in a lot more specific areas around my gardens this year.

Angie...There are a lot more formulations available now and it is not as difficult to find as in the past. Should be able to get it at Walmart (best price), Home Depot, and all of our local nurseries/greenhouses carry it. If we have it up here, shouldn't be hard to find in the Lower 48.

The stuff reccomended for voles is the granular stuff, not the liquid. Here is a link to Plantskydd's site, I'm sure you can find an internet vendor off it.

Ticker...Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't pick up on that fact and will need to get some of the granular.

Not a problem.

http://plantskydd.com/

Thanks Moby. What would I do without you having my back!

Gotcha, babe

Yikes. Looked the stuff up on their website, and then realized how much shipping would add to the price! Guess I need to look for a local source. They only listed one nursery in my area, but I'd be surprised if some of the home improvement stores didn't carry it.

Today I had a neighbor come knocking at my door, only to say, "I didn't really need anything, I just wanted an excuse to come close enough to smell your flowers!" I told her she was welcome to come smell my flowers any day, no excuses necessary! Hyacinths are the best!

Angie

Angie, do you have Earl May garden centers in your area? They carry it..