Expert: Long Island Gardener - 8/21/2008

Question
I have some  beautiful Casa Blanca lily that I have had for about 5 years. We're moving, can I dig them up, store them, and replant them next spring. I live in zone 5 . Thanks

Answer
I don't blame you for wanting to take these Lilies with you.  There is no experience like inhaling the fragrance of a bed of Casablancas on a warm Summer morning.  They are beautiful.

Figure though that although this is not the WORST thing you could be doing -- after all, they have finished blooming and are past peak growth -- they are right now very much in active growth, building blooms for next year and energy to endure the Winter ahead.  They are far from dormant, which would be the best way to move them.

To succeed at this, with the least amount of damage, you'll have to pot them, preferably with as much of the same Soil as they are growing in.  Reason being, current research indicates Lilium longiflorum, for one, is among the universe of plants that form mycorrhizal bonds to boost growth in a complex relationship of nutrient transfer.

It is estimated that around 80 percent of vascular plants are so inclined.  The abstract of one investigation describes a common research subject, Lilium longiflorum, aka the Easter Lily:  'Easter Lily forms mycorrhize with species of arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) that are also capable of forming associations with onion ... Soil fertility influences colonization by AMF...Inoculation of Easter Lily with AMF increases root and stem weight'

That study was published in the Journal of Horticultural Science in 2004, 'Soil Pasteurization and Mycorrhizal Inoculation Alter Flower Production and Corm Composition of Brodieae Laxa Queen Fabiola', posted online:

www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/person/4947/PDFs/Scagel1st/Scagel2004BrodiaeaHS.pdf

The roots of your own Lilium oriental collection is almost certainly embedded in a community of arbuscular mycorrhizae -- and you want to bring them, too, when you uproot the Bulbs.  You don't know precisely which AMF will be present in the next Soil.

Additionally, you should get yourself a packet of Harpin Protein, sold as 'Messenger' at your local garden center or on the internet at the website of its producer, Eden Bioscience.

Any time you transplant something of value, be it sentimental or $$, Harpin Protein will not only vault to the top its chances of surviving and recovering from the transplant 'shock', but will give you a more healthy plant when it's finally settled.  It begins working only 10 minutes after application (which should be done first by spraying the leaves, with the excess watered in after you have potted it, preferably as the first watering done in the new pot).  Get enough packets for at least 2 treatments, so that when you transplant them again in your new garden, you'll be able to dose them again with the Harpin Protein spray and liquid.

I don't think more inoculant than you bring with you will be necessary, but if you want to play it safe, you can buy mycorrhizal spores marketed under the labels of:

Plant Success
ROOTs
Kelloggs
Dr. Earth
Pennington Seed
E.B. Stone
Monrovia
Down to Earth
Garden-Ville
Fungi Perfecti
Fox Farm

and others.  The product you want will contain not only the AMF for your Lilies, but root stimulants and possibly Humic Acids.  Let me know if you need more specific information -- but this should do it.

In the old days, you would dose up your Soil with Superphosphate.  In more recent times, a small handful of Bone Meal, patience, and a light hand in a shady spot would be your only choice of action.  Today, in the 21st century, you have some mind boggling choices to move those Lilies.  Do this right and your success is guaranteed.  Good luck in your new home.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER