AboutLong Island Gardener Expertise Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.
Experience Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.
Expert: Long Island Gardener Date: 6/28/2008 Subject: Lilium 'Red Carpet' (Asiatic) not blooming
Question Hi
i bought 10 bulbs in fall and planted them in fall so they had winter to get ready for blooming. In spring, I did got nice looking plants however no blooming till now. My batch of day lilies and African lilies are blooming everyday however this one has reached height of about 6-8 inch and still no sign for flowers. What should I do.....
Thanks.
Answer Let's get one thing straight. You have only one Lily here, and that's the one that's not blooming. Daylilies are Hemerocallis, scientifically unrelated to anything Lilium. African Lilies are Agapanthus, beautiful yes but again scientifically unrelated to Lilium. Different habits, different histories, different genii and species and even families. You may as well have figured, well, my Marigolds are blooming, but why not the Asiatic Lilies I planted last Fall?
OK, now that this is out of the way, let's look at the fact that you planted these right on schedule -- don't sniff at that, many people hold onto these and figure they will plant them when it fits into their schedule. These are not dormant bulbs that you can keep around for a half century. They have to go into the ground ASAP, no ifs ands or buts. Every day out of the ground is like you holding your breath. Held too long, it's kaput.
But you did plant them. Let me straighten out your statement, they have reached a height of 6 to 8 inches and they are not blooming--did you mean that literally, they are less than a foot high but they should be blooming? Are we talking about the same plant here? Asiatic Lilies? Because Asiatics including Red Carpet generally reach 2 to 3 feet; they would not bloom much shorter than that.
You did not mention your location. I suspect that you are North enough to expect bloom under a typical schedule, late June/early July -- but not until next year. This year, you should expect a later bloom; this is typical of first year Lily flowering. Also, they will bloom and then be done. They do not re-bloom through Summer. Some people find this a flaw; others, myself included, love the changes of a garden all Summer long. Oriental Lilies bloom later.
What should you do, you ask? Do nothing -- water, and wait. Locate a source of Ladybugs just in case you happen to notice some bad bugs in the area. After all, having waited this long, you don't want the experience spoiled by some insect.
Good luck, and enjoy them! Any questions, feel free to followup.
