moving a lily plant

[Carole Quimby]

I plan on moving next summer, so I have done nothing to my lily plant that is now in the ground where I am now living. I want to move it with me next year. Will I be able to move it even though it will be before fall? I know it might not be able to flower but will the bulbs make the move for the following year? They started out as a potted plant when I put them in the ground and I think they should have made bulbs to move, right? It is a large lily plant like a tiger lily only this one is dark maroon. Thank you for any help.

[Newt]

Hi Carole,
It's too late now to dig your bulbs, but in the spring when you see new growth, dig up the bulbs, pot them up and sink the pots in the soil up to their rims. When it's time to move, you can water the day before and then just pull the pots and keep them in a shady area until you can plant. If you run out of time to plant, just sink the pots in their new home until you can get to them.

Good luck with your move,
Newt

[Carole Quimby]

Thank you for your wonderful help. I will do as you suggest and I really appreciate your response! :D

[Newt]

Hi Carole,
You're so very welcome. I did what you are planning with 500 pots and left them in the ground for the winter. I started digging in the spring and just dug and potted all season, sinking the plants in their pots into the ground. In the spring I was able to just pull them. I kept them stored in a shady area for the summer while renovations were being done to the exterior of the house and regrading of the property. I only lost 10, and most of those were because I had the pots so close together that some plants shaded out their neighbors and I didn't see them to care for them properly.

Regards,
Newt