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Sometimes it happens that lily bulbs sprouted in March, and this is not always the gardener’s fault. Often stores sell spring planting material that has been stored in the refrigerator for a long period of time. When the bulbs are exposed to warm conditions, they begin to actively grow sprouts. Unfortunately, if you plant in open ground in the spring, you may lose the crop or not wait for flowering.
Is it possible to trim the sprouts?
If a lily bulb sprouted in March, then the first thing that comes to mind is to cut off the sprouts. Despite the fact that this option seems to be the only correct one, it is wrong for a number of reasons:
- If the resulting green stems are torn off, the lily bulbs may die; the growth process has already begun and cannot be stopped. In March, not only sprouts begin to form, but also the root system.
- If you cut off the shoots and do not allow the bulb to germinate, the life cycle will be disrupted. The lily is very weak after winter, and such actions will not allow it to germinate again. As practice shows, when cutting the above-ground part, the planting material dies.
Of course, after such manipulations there are cases when the bulbs sprout again, but the strength and nutritional components are no longer enough for full growth and development. You can completely forget about flowering.
It is prohibited to cut off the sprouts of lily bulbs if they sprouted in March.
Preparing and inspecting bulbs
Before planting, it is recommended to carefully inspect the bulbs:
- First of all, pay attention to the bottom so that it is tight. If it is wet, black, dark or soft, such material is not used for planting. The presence of rot will prevent the flower from growing and developing.
- It is worth studying the root system. The shoots must be dry, without rot.
- If lilies have dark-colored roots, they should be removed. Leave a small part, and in such a way that there is air or substrate between them. Thanks to this approach, the rotting process can be prevented to a greater extent.
- If the lilies have sprouted ahead of time and there are roots on them, then you can plant them. However, you should not expect abundant flowering. But, as practice shows, with proper care you can achieve the appearance of several buds.
If the sprouts have just formed, the bulbs can be stored for some time at a temperature of -5 ° C. However, if the stem and the first leaf have already appeared, then keeping such planting material in a cool place is unacceptable. The growing season has started and cannot be stopped.
External scales may be removed. If you plan to propagate lilies, then those scales that are closest to the bottom can be removed and placed in a container with moss or peat, after moistening. After a certain period of time, bulbs will grow from these scales.
Lily bulbs are not afraid of minor mechanical damage that was received during digging up planting material
What to do if lilies sprouted early
There are many methods for what to do with lilies if they have sprouted. It is enough to consider the most popular ones.
Lilies can be stored in the refrigerator in winter.
Planting bulbs in cups
If the lily began to grow in March and the first shoots formed, then planting it would be the best option.
You can plant lilies in the stamp if the size of the sprouts is 1-2 cm. Sometimes the lights can reach 8 cm, in which case it is recommended to plant as quickly as possible.
You will need a plastic cup with a diameter of about 10 cm. There must be a drainage hole at the bottom - it can be made with a knife. It is recommended to germinate bulbs in a universal peat-based substrate.
Peat-based soil perfectly allows moisture and air, while being light and loose, which is excellent for rapid growth
The bulbs are planted to a depth of about 8 cm. Even if the first small shoot has already appeared, it should not be left on the surface. Such lilies also deepen.
The bulb must be placed in such a way that the shoot is directed upward or sideways, but not downward. Thanks to this arrangement, there will be enough space for the development of the root system. If the planting material has taken root, you can tell by the side shoots.
There is no need to dry the bulbs before planting.
Planting bulbs with large stems
Sometimes it happens that lily bulbs were bought in February or March, and after a while they began to actively germinate. In this case, they resort to forced expulsion. Such bulbs will not only sprout, but will also begin to bloom in the first half of May, after which the plant can be transplanted into open ground conditions.
First of all, you will need plastic bottles with a volume of about 1.5 liters. As practice shows, it is much more convenient to monitor the condition of the soil in plastic containers. It is not necessary to prepare drainage holes. It is enough to ensure that the soil does not dry out and is not overly moistened.
If the bulb already has fairly large stems and range from 20 to 30 cm, then it is not recommended to bury them deeply, as the lily will begin to rot and die after a while. Planting is carried out in such a way that the beginning of the stems is level with the substrate. It is important that a sufficient amount of oxygen and moisture reaches the root system.
The roots will grow in a vertical position, since the bottle is narrow and there is nowhere for the root system to grow. Active growth will be observed already in open ground.
For irrigation, use settled water at room temperature. It is not recommended to take it from the tap due to the high chlorine content.
Once it is warm enough outside, the lilies can be transplanted into open ground. If sharp temperature changes are observed during the day and night, then you should refrain from planting, as this has a negative effect on the plants.
Planting in open ground
Some flower growers and gardeners resort to planting lilies in February-March. However, it is recommended to do this only in the southern regions. In this case, it is worth taking into account one feature - the bulbs are buried in the ground to a depth of about 20 cm. This is required primarily so that the planting material is better preserved. In case of frost, lilies must be covered immediately.
The advantage of planting at a depth of 20 cm is that flowers germinate later
Further care
It is not enough to plant a lily in March, you need to properly care for it:
- When the first shoot or leaf sprouts in March, there is still not enough sunlight. Therefore, you need to take care of artificial lighting for flowers in advance.
- Containers in which lilies are planted can be placed under lamps. Fluorescent lamps are excellent for these purposes.
- It is recommended to pay special attention to Asian lily hybrids, as they need a lot of light.
- When there is a lack of lighting, the stems and shoots begin to stretch, lose their bright color, and become pale. If the problem is not solved, the stems will begin to deform.
- In the period from the second half of April to mid-May, you need to move the plants to the greenhouse. In this case, you need to wait until there is no frost at night and the air in the greenhouse is sufficiently warm.
Flowering occurs earlier with such early planting. However, this is a big advantage. Since the plants will have enough time to rest and gain strength before the next flowering period.
Landing is carried out by transshipment method
What to do to prevent bulbs from growing prematurely
To prevent plant bulbs from sprouting immediately after purchase, you need to take proper care of them. The first place is the temperature. It should be between 0 and +5 °C. A great place to store bulbs is on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. A well-ventilated basement is also suitable.
Dampness has a bad effect on planting material. The bulbs rot and traces of mold appear. Due to the increased humidity level, germination begins. However, you can’t overdry it either. It is important to ensure that the roots and bulb are not excessively dry.
It is best to add a small amount of peat or moss to the bag with lilies, and then moisten the substrate. Avoid exposure to light, as this may stimulate germination. From time to time it is recommended to take out the bag with the bulbs and ventilate it.
Conclusion
If your lily bulbs sprouted in March, don't panic. Of course, it will not be possible to save all the planting material, but most of it will be possible if proper care is provided. During the long autumn, you need to pay special attention to the lilies. Planting material is inspected from time to time, which will allow germination to be detected in the early stages and appropriate measures taken.
