Asiatic lilies are vibrant, popular garden plants known for their striking, upright flowers that add a burst of color to any landscape. These resilient perennials bloom from late spring to mid-summer in a wide array of colors. Propagation offers an effective way to multiply existing plants, creating new plants genetically identical to the parent.
Best Time and Tools for Propagation
The optimal time to propagate Asiatic lilies, whether by division or scaling, is late summer to early fall, after blooming when foliage yellows. This timing allows the plant to focus resources on root and bulb development as it prepares for dormancy. Propagation can also occur in early spring before new growth emerges, though fall is often preferred for less plant stress.
Successful propagation requires a few essential tools. A sturdy garden fork or spade is needed for digging up clumps. For separating bulbs or scales, a sharp, clean knife or pruners are useful. Clean potting mix, such as a well-draining blend of peat moss and vermiculite, and appropriately sized pots are necessary for planting new bulbs and bulblets.
Propagating Asiatic Lilies by Division
Division is often the quickest and simplest method for increasing Asiatic lily stock, especially for overcrowded clumps. Over time, lily bulbs multiply, forming dense clusters that may show reduced vigor or fewer blooms, signaling a need for division. This process rejuvenates the parent plant and provides new bulbs for your garden.
Carefully dig around the lily clump, 6 to 8 inches from the stems, using a garden fork or spade to avoid damaging bulbs. Gently lift the clump, shaking off excess dirt to expose individual bulbs and roots. Separate bulbs by hand, ensuring each new section has healthy roots. Inspect all bulbs for disease or damage, discarding unhealthy ones. Replant larger, healthy bulbs immediately at a depth three times their diameter (4 to 6 inches deep), and smaller bulblets 1 to 2 inches deep.
Propagating Asiatic Lilies by Scaling
Scaling creates many new lily bulbs from a single parent bulb, relying on the bulb’s ability to regenerate from its individual scales. This technique is highly effective for multiplying desired varieties.
Gently unearth a healthy, mature Asiatic lily bulb, ideally in late summer or early fall. Carefully break off several outer scales by gently pulling them backward with a slight twist, ensuring they detach cleanly at the basal plate. Remove only a few outer layers to avoid stressing the parent bulb, which can then be replanted. After removal, allow scales to air-dry for a day or two to callous, which helps prevent rot.
Place calloused scales into a plastic bag or container with a lightly moistened medium, such as vermiculite or peat moss. Seal the bag loosely for air exchange and place it in a warm, dark location (around 70°F / 21°C) for 8 to 10 weeks. Tiny bulblets will form at the base of each scale.
Once bulblets develop, move them to a cooler environment, like a refrigerator, for about three months to simulate winter dormancy. After chilling, plant these bulblets in pots or a nursery bed, spaced one inch apart and half an inch deep in a good potting mix.
Caring for New Asiatic Lily Plants
After propagation, consistent care is important for the successful establishment of new Asiatic lily plants. Young lilies, whether from division or scaling, require attentive watering, light, and protection to thrive. Immediately after planting, water newly transplanted bulbs thoroughly to settle the soil.
Maintain consistent soil moisture, keeping it damp but not waterlogged to prevent bulb rot. Young plants benefit from full to partial sun (at least six hours daily), ensuring the root zone remains cool with mulch or companion plants. Protect new plants from common pests like aphids and the red lily leaf beetle, and watch for fungal diseases such as botrytis blight, treating promptly if needed. Lilies from division may bloom the following season, while those from scales typically take one to two years to reach blooming size.