AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.
Experience I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.
Question I have several lillies that make the typical orange and white flowers. In the
last few years they have been coming up weaker, and this year most of
them didn't flower. I live in NYC and we've had a lot of rain. I fertilize a
normal amount of Miracle Grow. Thanx for your help!
Answer Hi Ted,
Thanx for your question. Your lilies may be too crowded. Every three or four years they should be dug up and separated otherwise they get crowded and slow down, even stop blooming. Overcrowding also facilitates disease and poor growth. Instead of Miracle Grow, use well-composted cow manure and bone meal. Follow the directions on the bone meal package. Use manure as a side dressing in the spring. I hope this helps.
Tom
