Lily bulbils

[Palustris]

Sometime ago, cannot remember if it was on here or on the Beeb, but someone asked about the funny little black things in the leaf joints of her/his lilies. I posted some information about how to grow these 'bulbils' on to flowering size.  For my consciences sake I thought I ought to follow my own advice. (I have grown them before like this, but not for a very long time and age etc......).
So this is an update for anyone who may have followed my advice. The bulbils which were started then( 2 years) have now made small bulbs of about  3 to  4 cms across. Today I potted them up into bigger pots in a JI No3 type compost with added slow release granules. They will stay in  these pots for the next 12 months and then should be large enough to flower. 41 out of the original 48 sown have survived so far. These are a Double form of the Tiger lily (Some like it, some loathe it.)
Last year I sowed a large number of L. lanceolatum bulbils. Today I potted on over a 100, 2 cm bulbs. and there are still 3 seed trays of them left to deal with. It is easy to get carried away.

[Palustris]

[aquilegia]

Eric - I remember that, back on the beeb board. I didn't exactly follow your advice (laziness and all that) I just pocked the bulbils into the soil of the adult plant pot. I had some success. There are some smaller plants that grow round the edges. No flowers, yet.

[Palustris]

It works. The only problem with that method is that if a soil pest attacks the original bulb then you lose all.
I also asked for advice myself on growing Galtonia from seed (got no answers though). I sowed a lot of Galtonia viridis last year and heavily fed them as they grew (did not prick them out individually, just in clumps). They now need potting up to grow on to flowering size. So far 120 bulblets and 5 more pots to go through! I have not even started on the pots of Galtonia candida. Then there are three seed trays of Arisaema seeds to look at. Definitely got carried away.

[Kerry]

hello Palustris-i hope this isn't a daft question-
i have some lilium regale-can you propagate these from bulbils or is it only particular types of lilies that produce them? the regale are beautiful-but not cheap! i would like to increase them. i've heard about growing from 'scales' but didn't know whether this was applicable either.

galtonia-guess i'm too late as you already have had success-but if you're still after info. for future reference i can type out what my rhs seed scheme book says.

[Palustris]

Lilium regale does not unfortunately produce bulbils (little black things in the leaf joints on the stems). They are actually quite easy from seed, but do take a few years to get to flowering size.
Scales are the bits of the lily bulb that fall off if you are not careful when you handle them. They can save you about 2 years on growing from seed. I have never actually tried to grow from scales so any information I could give would be second hand. Sorry.
The Galtonia seed sowing/growing regime seems to work, but thank you anyway.

[Kerry]

thanks Palustris- i shall look up the scales method and give it a try. :)

[Palustris]

Strangely enough after these postings, we were told last night of the simplest method of producing baby bulbs from lily scales. Take a sealable plastic bag, take enough Vermiculite to half fill said bag, soak Vermiculite then squeeze out as much water from it as you can, place in bag, put scales in bag and shake gently (the bag, you silly). Seal bag and place in a warm dark place, airing cupboard? check in a fortnight or so and when you can see the little bulbs have formed with some roots, remove them gently from the scales and pot up in whatever compost you prefer (JI 1 say).
If the scales are still plump and fresh (like ?), put back in the bag and airing cupboard and you may get even more bulbils.
Going to give it a whirl myself. That is if I can find the lilies in the garden. Hmmmmm.

[Kerry]

sounds good, Palustris- i will try this year, had a quick 'google' and consensus on timing this seems to be late summer. it would be fascinating if it worked-just put them in a bag and leave them!