You are here:

Bulbs/Dividing Stargazer Lilies

Advertisement

Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 9/8/2006


Question
My stargazer lilies have one or two small shoots emerging a few inches from the base of the plants.  Do stargazers need to be divided?  If so, how often and how is it done?

Answer
Great. That is sign that your bulb has created offsets. Leave them where they are until they reach blooming size. If you are very anxious, you can dig down just below soil level this fall (probably better to wait to next fall) after the flower stems have died back. Harvest the small miniature bulbs (offsets) and then replant them in their own location. Dig a wide hole to avoid damging the small offfsets.

It normally takes 2-3 years from offsets are created until stargazers flower.

Good luck, and congratulations. This is first step to free lily bulbs (great isn't it ?)  

Bulbs

All Answers

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Kenneth Joergensen

Expertise

Can answer questions about spring and summer bulbs: selection, soil preparation, planting, fertilizing, designing with bulbs. I can also give references where to buy the bulbs and how to store them. Besides the typical bulbs (tulips, daffodils, amaryllis, lilies etc) I can also answer questions about other geophytes, such as tuberous begonia, dahlias, etc. When to start indoors, light requirement, etc. My experience is in cool season areas, but I can answer questions about warm season areas if given time to research matter.

Experience

Have worked with various bulbs (spring and summer bulbs). I am presently an allexpert advicer on the lawn message board also.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.