One of the lilies that people most often grow in their own gardens is the tiger lily. The bright flowers on tall stems of tiger lilies look great in flower beds and along borders. They also easily spread by themselves, making dense clumps that produce more flowers every year. But over time, these groups get too crowded, and the number of blooms drops. To fix this, move and divide the bulbs. You can make more tiger lilies by following a few easy steps. This will encourage them to grow quickly and flower.
When to Transplant Tiger Lilies
Tiger lilies bloom in mid to late summer. After the leaves fall off in the fall is the best time to move them. This gives the bulbs time to grow roots before they send up new shoots in the spring. If you try to move tiger lilies while they are still growing, you could hurt their weak roots and flower buds. It’s easiest to remember where to plant the bulbs when the leaves are still on the plants. Once it disappears, the bulbs are difficult to find.
Fall transplanting allows 6-8 weeks for root growth before the ground freezes. Root establishment increases transplant success compared to spring planting. Transplanting in fall also avoids disrupting emerging spring growth. However, spring transplanting can work if done as early as possible. Just be gentle with the tender new shoots.
How to Transplant an Overgrown Tiger Lily Clump
Follow these simple steps for transplanting and dividing overgrown tiger lily clumps
Gather Supplies
- Shovel and garden fork for digging bulbs
- Hand trowel for dividing bulbs
- Sharp knife to separate bulbs and roots
- Container to hold bulbs during division
- Bone meal fertilizer to stimulate root growth
- Organic compost to improve soil conditions
Prepare New Planting Site
- Select a site with full sun to part shade exposure. Morning sun is ideal.
- Prepare soil by mixing in 2-3 inches of compost to a depth of 10-12 inches.
- Work 1/2 cup bone meal into the top 6 inches of soil per square foot of area.
- Space new planting holes 12-18 inches apart to allow room for growth.
Dig and Divide Bulbs
- Water clump thoroughly 1-2 days before digging to make removal easier.
- Use shovel to dig around clump about 6 inches away from outermost stems.
- Lift out entire clump and shake off excess soil. Keep bulbs out of direct sun.
- Gently separate bulbs and roots using hands or knife. Discard any damaged bulbs.
- Break bulbs into groups with 3-5 nose buds to maximize blooms.
Replant Divided Bulbs
- Place each bulb group in hole with nose buds facing up and roots down.
- Backfill holes with surrounding soil and pack gently but firmly around bulbs.
- Water thoroughly after planting to eliminate air pockets and settle soil.
- Cover beds with 2-3 inches of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Provide Follow Up Care
- Water beds weekly if rainfall is less than 1 inch to keep soil moist but not soggy.
- Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring when new growth emerges.
- Remove spent flower stems after blooming to conserve energy in the bulbs.
- Watch for slugs, snails and other pests and control as needed.
- Divide again every 3-5 years to maintain plant vigor and flowering.
Following proper transplanting techniques revitalizes overgrown tiger lily clumps. Dividing the bulbs propagates additional plants and reduces competition so more food energy goes into flowering instead of bulb growth. With proper follow up care, your transplanted tiger lilies will reward you with bigger and better blooms!
How to Transplant Tiger Lily Plants
Its not actually the plants you will transplant unless you opt to lose some flowers and move them during the growing season. If you wait until fall, all that is left to move are the bulbs. To remove the bulbs, use a shovel and cut straight down several inches (8 cm. ) away from where the plants were. Dig as far out from the main clump of the plant, or plants, as needed to avoid cutting the bulbs. Then, carefully excavate inward until you find the bulbs. Lift the bulbs gently and brush off the soil. If the bulbs are in a big clump, delicately separate them. If any plant material remains on the bulbs, clip it off. After you have lifted and separated the bulbs, check for rotten spots and discoloration. Discard any bulbs which arent healthy. Prepare the bed by loosening the soil to a depth of 8 inches (20 cm. ) and adding in organic matter and bone meal. Plant the bulbs 6 to 10 inches (15-25 cm. ) apart at a depth of 6 inches (15 cm. ). Bulbs need to be situated with the pointed side up and the roots downward. Press soil around the bulbs and water to settle the soil. If you have snoopy squirrels or other digging animals, place a section of chicken wire over the area until plants sprout in spring. Transplanting tiger lily bulbs is easy and the results will be bigger flowers and more than ever before.
Pests and Disease Problems
Tiger lilies are susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails. Aphids feed on the sap of plants by inserting their mouthparts into them. They can also spread viral diseases that affect the plants foliage. Snails and slugs eat holes in your tiger lily leaves, which can cause them to wilt or die.
The most common diseases occur on the roots, leaves and stems. It causes spots on the leaves and yellows them. The fungus can also cause brown spots on the petals of some varieties of a tiger lilies. The most common disease is leaf scorch, which causes brown areas on the leaves. This condition occurs when the plant is not watered enough and has too much sun exposure. It can also be caused by over-fertilizing or under-watering. Leaf scorch will cause yellowing or browning of some areas of the leaf, but it will not kill off your plant completely if you correct these conditions quickly enough.
When To Plant It
You can plant tiger lily bulbs at any time from fall to spring, as long as the ground isn’t frozen or wet. The best time to plant your bulbs is early spring before the last frost date, usually about mid-April in most regions. However, if you want to start growing your plants indoors for spring planting on your patio, its best to start them around May 1st or sooner.
Transplanting tigerlilies
FAQ
Do tiger lilies transplant well?
Transplanting tiger lily bulbs is easy and the results will be bigger flowers and more than ever before. 7 Summer-Blooming Bulbs To Plant In Early Spring: Don’t Miss Months Of Glorious Flowers!.
Can you dig up lilies and move them?
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Gardening Know Howhttps://www.gardeningknowhow.comHow And When To Transplant Lilies, According To ExpertsJan 16, 2025 — Dig down at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep and several inches around each lily plant to ensure you don’t damage any bulbs with your shovel or spade. O…
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GardenSmarthttps://www.gardensmart.tvARTICLES :: When and How to Transplant Lilies – GardenSmartLilies produce from bulbs and need to be divided and transplanted in the fall for the best results. Experts say late September or early October is when to move …
Do tiger lilies like sun or shade?
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Optimal Light:Tiger lilies are sun-loving plants and benefit from at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
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Tolerance for Shade:They can tolerate partial shade, particularly in the afternoon, according to The Spruce.
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Potential Issues with Too Much Shade:Excessive shade can lead to weak stems, reduced blooming, and overall poor plant health.
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Strategic Placement:Consider planting tiger lilies where they receive morning sun and some afternoon shade, according to Greg App. Taller plants can also provide some shade without completely blocking the sun, according to Greg App.
Can I transplant lilies in summer?
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Visual aid:You can see the flowers and their full size, making it easier to arrange them in your garden and avoid placing tall varieties in the front.
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Established growth:Lilies that are transplanted in summer are more likely to become established and bloom well the following spring to early summer, according to a post on Quora.
How do I transplant Tiger Lilies?
To move tiger lilies, do the following: Choose the new spot: Find a new spot in your garden that gets a lot of sun and has soil that drains well. Tiger lilies thrive in full sun or partial shade, and they prefer soil that is rich in organic matter.
When can Tiger Lilies be transplanted?
While fall is best, tiger lilies can be moved in the spring after the risk of hard frost has passed. Allow sufficient time for good root establishment before summer heat arrives. How long should I wait to transplant newly purchased lily bulbs?.
How do you propagate Tiger Lilies?
New tiger lilies can be propagated by divisions or by planting the dark brown bulbils that erupt along the stem, nestled between the leaves of this plant. Treat them just like regular bulbs, but allow them an additional year to bloom. Plant tiger lilies away from other lilies, as well as plants susceptible to tomato spotted wilt virus.
How do you plant a Tiger Lily?
If you have squirrels or other animals that like to dig, cover the area with chicken wire until the plants come up in the spring. Transplanting tiger lily bulbs is easy and the results will be bigger flowers and more than ever before. How do you care for Tiger Lilies? Backfill the holes with soil, gently firming it around the bulbs.
How do you care for Tiger Lilies?
Backfill the holes with soil, gently firming it around the bulbs. Water thoroughly: After planting, thoroughly water the newly planted tiger lilies to settle the soil and hydrate the bulbs. Provide enough water to thoroughly moisten the soil, but avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can cause the bulbs to rot.
How do you remove Tiger Lilies from the ground?
Use a garden fork or shovel to carefully lift the clump of tiger lilies from the ground. Dig around the plants, keeping a proper distance from the base to avoid harming the bulbs. Dividing the bulbs: Once the clump of tiger lilies is out of the ground, gently shake off any excess soil to reveal the individual bulbs.