This is the tiger lily, and it is a good example of a lily with secrets. When you grow tiger lilies, you will notice little black bulb looking things at the intersections of leaf and stem. These are in truth little bubiles- baby bulbs, or seeds, of the tiger lily. They will fall off eventually, and will lay on top of the ground. If you leave them there, they will make little roots, which will furrow into the ground and which will pull that baby bulb underground. They will go deeper and deeper, until finally they reach the depth that tiger lilies like to grow, and THEN they will start to develop into a bulb that is large enough to bloom. How do they know when they are deep enough? This picture I found on the internet, remember my resolution to document every flower in my garden? Next year, it will be my picture. Find this picture here-www.ontariodaylily.on.ca/
Anyway, Nell Jean suggested that the next propagation post could be about bulbs, so that is what it will be. Now, let me see if I can remember where I put the pictures of chipping and scaling bulbs......
24 comments:
I love these lilies and their unique way of dropping those little black beads. Lovely portrait of your lily!
Looking forward to this next post!
I just have a few lilies left and hope I can propagate my way back.
Janie,
Tiger lilies are one of my favorites, and I love the look of the shiny, black seeds. The flowers and seeds are really rather exotic looking, don't you think? I am really looking forward to your propagation post!!
Hey, wasn't the dog on the brady bunch was named tiger lily?
I love this photo, thanks for sharing.
Rosey
Aren't they gorgeous? That habit of pulling themselves DOWN by the roots is common to daffodils, too. If we plant them deep enough to start, they can use that energy to make more blossoms. How deep is deep enough but not too deep? Being a gardener is taxing. I look forward to the post where you chop up bulbs.
My Granddad used to call them Turk Cap lilies. I've never grown them in this garden but they look so lovely here in this pic I'm thinking that once the tubers arrive in the garden centres later this month I might get some.
Rosie
That'a fascinating, about those little bulbs.
I can always count on learning something, when I visit here.
Thanks.
Hi Janie,
That is so interesting. I don't grow lilies and so I love hearing unusual things about plants I do not know much about :-)
Wow, Janie. Isn't it a wonder anything grows at all? It's kind of like a baby developing inside the womb--so many systems that must work together without a hitch for a favorable outcome. You don't have to look very far to see the hand of our creator.
This was informative. It also raises a question in my mind. Does it hurt the bulblet's process when you mulch and compost? Do they have to work their way into their depth on their own? I ask because I am always adding mulch and compost in the garden.
I never worry about using good compost, as long as it is well done, and not half baked. (lol, lil joke there.) Honestly, you cannot go wrong with good compost! Mulch shouldn't hurt anything either, for it conserves moisture.
You can plant the little bubiles, but I always plant them on the shallow side, because I don't know how deep to plant them. With a seed, the rule is 2.5 times the thinnest dimension, so I would use that rule here too. The baby bulb will go ahead and pull itself to wherever it wants to grow.
Yes, Grace, I believe in our Creator. I am always amazed at the genius of life.
Back to chopping-wait, NOT chopping- CHIPPING those bulbs.....
That was very interesting! I don't have any Tiger Lilies yet, but hope to add some soon. Thanks for the great info!
Janie, tiger lilies always remind me of my grandmother: she had them in her garden and now I have them in mine... and all those babies too! ;)
It must be very refreshing to have those lovely fragrant when they bloom.
Are they strong towards the evening or daytime?
Hi Janie, those little bulbils are the sweetest thing. We have been sticking them in the ground here there and everywhere. It takes several years to get a blooming size plant, but it will happen. The hummingbirds love these lilies too. :-)
Frances
Hi Janie,
I would like to grow tiger lilies but I can never seem to find consistent advice on what sort or soil, water, temperature range and aspect they need. Help please! Y
Beautiful! Baby bulbs are so cute, and how amazing is it that they self adjust to depth? I wish peonies would do that too lol.
Thanks for this post, Janie. So many plants, so little time ...
It has inspired me to grow more lilies, especially the tiger lily which I believe is hardy enough to overwinter here.
Just beautiful tiger lilies! I have tried to grow them here with no success whatsoever-I may need to try again though with such loveliness.
I have a tiger lily and noticed those little black bulbs... I love them... I hope I get a bunch...
Thanks for addding my mom to your prayer list and the list of your sister... its working .... Mama had a very good day today...
I haven't farmed in a while... I was playing Mafia Wars, but don't really have time for that any more... I'm slowly giving my best arms to my favorites in my Mafia... I'll have to start over when I have more time...
Thanks for stopping by my blog...
Hi Janie - You are a patient, talented gardener! Great detail!
Thanks for this post! Found your blog while sourcing info just on this subject! Found the pics VERY helpful, as I didn't know what 'chipping', 'slicing' or even 'bulbils' were! Now trying to find how to contact you to link this blog to my canna Fcaebook page .. I WILL read your other blogs aswell .. VERY informative!
Well, Fleu De Lis Canna, I appreciate your kind comment. Did you see the propagating bulbs post? For some reason, they have changed things about here, and I can't figure out how to post here anymore. I am going to take the time when we have our next cold spell to see if I can't figure it out again.
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