I was checking on some spring planted bulbs that hadn't shown any stems yet and I noticed a few stem that were almost doing u turns. Is there any internal compass in a bulb that knows which way is up? I uncovered the stems and repacked the dirt around all but left the tips exposed to hopefully recalibrate the bulbs. Is this possibly a chance of bulbs planted too deeply?

Was it sprouted when you planted the bulb? It should straighten up now that it has reached light.

Plants are phototropic and geotropic. That is, the shoots grow toward the light and the roots toward the centre of gravity. But lots of lilies being stoloniferous, they wander around before the shoots emerge upward. Yours looks more like it has met an obstruction - did the soil develop a more compacted plate above your planting site? Not unusual for some soils that are dug and settled in the wet to plate up a bit.

It's clear by the development of the leaves under the surface that the bulb wasn't planning on needing to extend so far to reach the soil line. But this doesn't necessarily mean it is planted too deep. If it did the same thing next year As Della says, compacted soils can cause uncharacteristic growth under the surface.

If what Pard suggests isn't the case, than it is usually caused by mechanical or insect damage. In either case, the growth of the the inside part of the curl is stunted relative to the outside part, and the arcing stem ensues. As far as the health of the lily, it's usually not a concern unless you detect insects. But, it's darn ugly!

Well most of the bulbs were sprouted when I planted them an it was in a new garden bed with dumped topsoil. It did compact a little with a slight crust so that is definitely a possibility. They were all first year plants too. Thanks

Were these spring planted? I don't see this often, but when I do, it seems to occur with bulbs planted quite late in warming soil and when growth starts before the bulb begins to root and center itself.

The good news is this plant should be normal next year. The existing exposed foliage never will turn completely green but any new emerging growth will.

Yes Lorn, bulbs were spring planted. Just by giving them a little light they made a big rebound today! Turned up quite nicely. You can actually see the dent/hole that the stem was in yesterday.

Saw this sort of thing with 20 l.Longiflorum bulbs,I purchased 2+ years ago.. Still have not flowered 1. Threw some out and should the others remain dormant this year, out they will go too!

Anthony, judging by the info posted here, it appears many of the variables that would cause this did. Pre sprouted spring planted bulbs in a freshly laid bed that did not compact until after bulbs were planted with a crust on top. By the way this particular lily is my much awaited 'bulbous max' (aka morning after).

Looks like a recovery is on the way

Yay!