2 Comments

  1. Terry Berg says:

    In late September my Lilies started to die. I had 4 in a pot from Costco.
    They are now in my house with leaves starting to turn yellow then brown. They are 2-3 feet tall.

    Is it too late to cut them back and save them for next year?

    I loved the beautiful pinkish purple flowers.
    Thanks

    1. It’s not too late to try and save your lilies for next year, but you should act promptly to address the yellowing and browning leaves. Here’s what you can do:

      Trim the Foliage: Trim off the yellow and brown leaves, but leave any healthy green ones intact. Use clean and sharp scissors or pruning shears for this task. Cutting back the damaged foliage will not harm the bulbs and will help redirect the plant’s energy to the bulbs for storage.

      Stop Watering: Lilies go dormant in the fall and winter, so they don’t need as much water. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overly wet soil can lead to bulb rot.

      Check for Bulb Health: If the bulbs are firm and healthy, they have a good chance of coming back next year. If they are soft or mushy, they may be damaged or rotting.

      Storage: If you have a cool, dark, and dry place available (around 40-45°F or 4-7°C), you can consider storing the bulbs there for the winter. However, this is not necessary if you plan to keep the lilies indoors.

      Indoor Care: If you plan to keep the lilies indoors, ensure they receive bright, indirect light. Rotate the pot regularly to promote even growth. Continue to water sparingly, keeping the soil just lightly moist.

      Repot (Optional): If the lilies have outgrown their pot or if you want to refresh the soil, you can repot them in the spring before they start actively growing again.

      With proper care and maintenance, your lilies should recover and potentially bloom again next year. Keep an eye on them during their dormancy period and resume regular care in the spring when new growth emerges. Remember that lilies are perennial plants, so they have a natural cycle of growth, dormancy, and regrowth each year.

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