Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 7/20/2006

Question
What time of the year is the best to dig up and divide Stella D'oro Day Lillies? And how do you actually do the dividing of the bulbs?

Answer
Do this in early fall (September/October). When you dig up the clump, you will find a closely knit set of roots. Some of these roots may be enlarged (like a potato).

From the crown which is fed by these roots there will be a number of growing points. These growing points will have a leaf shead (rolled up bunch of leaves) where one leaf appear to be coming out of another (a bit like the told newspaper tree you used to make as a kid).This is one 'eye'. You need to cut between eyes, so that each division have atleast one eye attached to the roots.

Dig the entire clump (with plenty of soil.. wide and deep) and washing off soil. Then find the eyes on the roots and cut between the eyes. Leave atleast 1 eye (preferably 2-3) per clump. Replant immediately and water in well.