Lily of the valley bulbs

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by solst, May 4, 2016.

  1. solst

    solst Member

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    Delta, BC
    I planted 15 bulbs two months ago, none came out. I found a few and they look pretty much same, not dead, not sprouting. What can I do with them now, freeze them, soak them, store for the fall, or throw them away? Thx.
     

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  2. Sundrop

    Sundrop Well-Known Member

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    Just leave them in the soil and wait. It looks like the bigger thing on the first picture is already sprouting, may be you are too impatient. In the meantime see if anybody you know has a Lily of the Valley in their garden and ask them to share a few plants (with roots ;-)) with you. Too bad you live far, I could give you hundreds.
     
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  3. Georgia Strait

    Georgia Strait Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    South Okanagan & Greater Vancouver, BC Canada
    lily of the valley take a long time to establish - patience as Sundrop has suggested above is required.
    so be sure that you want these lily of valley where you have placed them - as they will become a "carpet" - but an easy care carpet of green - preferably in a shady spot. - like under trees etc. but with some sunshine - like morning sun.

    i have usually just dug up a spade's worth of plant and literally moved the big chunk to my garden. Even then it takes a while to establish.
     
  4. solst

    solst Member

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    Ok. I'll wait and see. On the box it says something like 'will sprout in two weeks'. I put them in a shady corner ant want them to take over.
     
  5. Georgia Strait

    Georgia Strait Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    what I suggest is - because it takes a while (years) to establish and spread - is that you plant several patches and let them grow together.

    again, the best suggestion is to find an old garden with extra - and just take "shovels full" in discreet patches - just move the lump of earth, the bulbs, leaves - the whole "lump" and pop it in to an equivalent hole in your garden.

    you will have to tend to it while it establishes - there are transplant solutions etc. that you can water with.

    once established, it is pretty - and forgiving.

    I know it to grow well at the coast in our typical loamy soil, also on the Island nr Victoria under cedars in shade and clay --- and also in the Okanagan, in a shaded but hot and dry area between a couple of houses nr Penticton - clay soil in that garden too.
     

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