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Perennials Lilies New England Gardening

Potted lilies in winter??

last year

I have many potted Asiatic and Oriental lilies. Can they be stored over winter in an unheated garage in Central Massachusetts (Worcester area)? Thanks for any advice!

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Comments (4)

dbarron
last year
They need a chill period but they can't tolerate the pot freezing solid. If kept too warm, they'll probably start to grow (maybe too early). Not sure what the maximum temperature to allow the chill period is. Maybe someone else can expound.

It's easiest to just plant them in the ground and let Nature take care of it.
roxanna thanked dbarron
kitasei2
last year
Plant the pots in the ground and leave them there.
roxanna thanked kitasei2
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I would pot them up. That way their roots get a chance to get going. Don't use the Miracle Grow moisture retention stuff, it will keep the bulbs too wet and they might rot. Just moisten whatever soil you use (should be fast draining). Best to error on the drier side for lilies. I cover my containers with a piece of plywood for the winter, just to keep the rain out. Eight inches deep and maybe a bit of bulb food mixed in the soil sounds good, and a couple of inches of organic mulch on top if you have it. You can move them out to their places in the garden in the spring, keeping as much soil with the rootball as possible. Or you can choose to grow them out in their containers and transplant in the fall. Linda, if your bulblets are withered and desiccated it doesn't bode well for them. They can be potted up as described but not so deep.
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I know summer is still in full swing, but I know I'll forget to ask later on. So while I still remember and have time, I wanted to know if anyone stored used potting soil in a root pouch/smart pots on a fire escape over winter. I would like to reuse the soil and from reading online here and elsewhere most people seem to leave the soil in the container used outside. The problem is I used unglazed terra cotta containers which I know I'll have to store indoors to prevent damage from the cold. Since I planned to purchase a root pouch/smart pot to use next year, I figured I could purchase one now, store the soil in it and have it ready for use come spring. My questions are: If using a root pouch/smart pot, did you cover the top from the elements or do anything in particular to keep pests out? Is it possible to add used coffee grounds/mulch/etc to the soil to compost over winter in these conditions? Is it advised in this case or foolhardy because of potential vermin and pests? Anything in particular to know or consider? Thanks.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
per above ... and repot in spring.. is one way ... this realy is the easiest.. and less stressful ...

if you had on oldfashioned root cellar.. you could store them there... today ...most modern basements are too hot to maintain dormancy. which is what you need ... you dont want them waking up in mid winter ...

you could also dig a 4 foot hole.. put all the pots in it.. and cover over with a ton of fall leaves... basically making your own root cellar.. lol ... but that might be considered a bit work intensive.. ya think.. lol..

ken
roxanna thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
last year
last modified: last year
Hi Roxanna,

I also have 5 potted up lilies that have spent their summer on the deck and are still growing. These are all lilies that I grew from bulbs that I purchased on eBay and Easy to Grow Bulbs. All bloomed successfully but one which is still growing and may bloom later.

I had originally intended to attempt to winter these over in our unheated attached garage but as the summer goes on I find myself looking for places to plant them! The main reason is is that I've already put in a spring order to B&D lilies and don't want to end up with too many in pots next year. These new bulbs I will treat the same way and worry in the fall how to overwinter them.

I will probably choose a couple and store them in garage as an experiment. I am in the same zone 6b as you. I've read on-line where people leave them outside under a deck but I'm not quite ready to try that.

The advice to plant the pots in the ground wouldn't work for me as I'm far beyond being able to dig holes! If we're going to dig a hole then they're going to stay in the ground! Next year there will always be more lilies that make their way to spending the summer on our deck!

Good luck with what ever you do.
roxanna thanked dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts

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