June 8, 2013 · BULBS & TUBERS / Easter lily / Stargazer lilies

Stargazer lilies

Oriental lilies such as Stargazer (red & white) or Casablanca (pure white) are easy to care for once they are established in your flower bed. Both are hardy to zone 4-9.

Planting
As the saying goes, “lilies like their heads in the sun and feet in the shade”. Plant Stargazer in full sun/part shade in well-drained, fertile soil that is slightly acidic (ph6). In hot climates lilies prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much sun can prematurely fade the flowers.

Plant in early spring or fall, 3 times the depth of the bulb (6-8″). Add a teaspoon of bone meal to the bottom of the hole.

Water
Lilies need a steady moist but not soggy soil. They should get at least 1 inch of water per week from rain or manual watering. In the heat of summer, place 2″ of mulch around the plants to conserve moisture, keep the soil cool and keep the weeds away.

Fertilize with a 10-10-10 twice a year, in early spring and again just before the flowers open.
The sweet scented lilies bloom from mid to late summer ( July-Sept).
They can grow 2 1/2-7 ft tall and may require staking for support.

Trouble shooting:
Aphids- can transmit viral disease,
Bulb mites, weevils and red lily leaf beetle.
Common fungal diseases: Foot rot (Phytophthora cactorum)-stems rot just below soil surface can also attack new shoot tips.
Botrytis elliptica, gray mold-tops of emerging shoots wilt and die.

More info on lilies

http://hortchat.com/info/estimating-bloom-time-for-stargazer-lily

http://hortchat.com/info/cut-lilies

From the reader archive

Useful reader questions

STORING LILY BULBS I bought some asian and oriental lily bulbs . Unfortunately I have not planted them. I need to store the bulbs between november and june. How should I store them. Thanks. It’s always best to plant lilies 10 days…

Read Sue A. Bulakli discussion

Increase height on lilies hi there… thank you for replying … you have really been helpful and answered come questions that i didnt find an answer anywhere.. thanks again for being there. Well i have one more thing to ask.. i just…

Read Abhay Puri discussion

Rebloom potted stargazer lily My Husband gave me a stargazer Lilly for mothers day, the issue is that this is my first plant and i really do not know what I am doing. they already started to bloom but before I looked…

Read Janny discussion

So… let me see if I have this straight. (first time trying to grow a houseplant). I have 3 stalks of stargazers in a pot indoors. They have all bloomed. One of them has turned brown and the leaves have fallen off,…

Read Erica discussion

108 Comments

Kris - October 5, 2006 at 7:12 am

I bought a pack of stargazer bulb that consist 2 bulbs and planted each of it 6″ deep in a flower pot. I put the flower pot outdoor and water it whenever the soil is dry. It’s been 2 weeks now and there is nothing appear. Could you guide me how to care for the bulbs? Thanks.

Part of the problem could be that you planted it too deep. Dig down and see if there is anything coming up, otherwise, knock the bulb out of the pot, check for soft spots and root development. If you have any soft spots throw the bulb out because it may have a rot and is not worth the effort. If the bulb is firm and is developing roots replant it with the tip up, 2 inches below the soil line. Water when dry and care for it the same way you would an Easter lily. I am assuming that the bulbs have been pre-cooler for forcing. The forcing time for stargazer lilies will vary depending on temperature & light intensity.

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Stevie - October 5, 2006 at 7:31 am

Bloom one per season
I bought a beautiful mango lily in May it bloomed for about a week and then the petals just fell off. Is it supposed to bloom again? Its still green and looks healthy – just no blooms.

Asiatic lilies and hybrids bloom once per season about 2 – 4 wks. Only daylilies will bloom for an extended summer season. It suspect your lily is done for the year. Keep the foliage growing for next year

.

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James McCune - November 10, 2006 at 8:21 am

Hello. I am trying to reproduce my asian/oriental lilies. I pollinated the flowers and they took off very well. I just don’t know when I am supposed to remove the seed pods growing. I am new at this stuff and would appreciate the help. Thank you.

Start lilies from seed.
When the green seed pods turns soft and brown, clip it off the stem. Bring it indoors or keep it in a dry place for 2-3 weeks. Once dry, shake the seeds from the pods. The seeds are viable for 9-10 mo. when stored @ room temperature. For longer storage keep in them in an air tight container in the freezer.

Please help with the process to start planting my stargazer lily seeds. I do have plant light so I could start early. I live in West Tennessee. Thanks.

Growing Stargazer lilies from seed is a long process and require some patience. It takes 3 years from seed to bloom. Oriental lily seeds are delayed hypogeal that germinate slowly in two stages. First stage: Warm period: place the seeds in a clear plastic bag with spaghnum moss, peat moss , vermiculite or coarse potting soil mixed w/ granite grit. Seal, label and store in a warm spot (60-70F) for 3-4 months at which time seeds will form small bulblets with delicate roots. Second stage Cool period: Take the bag with the swollen bulblets and place it in the refrigerator (34-40F) for 10-12 weeks. After cooling period plant tiny bulblets in loose potting soil mix 1/4 inch deep. Place under lights or window or if weather permits (frost free) outdoors in a protected area. The true leaves should show in 1-2 wks.. Water, feed with diluted fertilizer every two wks. You should get 3-5 leaves the 1st growing season. Keep seedling potted the first season and transplant outdoors the second spring. You should have bloom in the 3rd season. Hybrid cross seeds will not produce true clones of the parent plant but you may get some interesting new possibilities. source: lilies.org, lilyseeds.com

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Sue A. Bulakli - November 21, 2006 at 3:38 pm

STORING LILY BULBS

I bought some asian and oriental lily bulbs . Unfortunately I have not planted them. I need to store the bulbs between november and june. How should I store them. Thanks.

It’s always best to plant lilies 10 days after you get them. Buying them late and not knowing how the bulbs were handled in the store can raise quality issues of the bulb itself. To store lily bulbs for a prolonged amount of time, place them in a mesh bag with damp(not wet) peat or spagnum moss. The bulb and roots must not dry out or it will die. Store this bag in a refrigerator. Keep away from fruit and veggetables as the ethylene gas they emit can damage the flower inside the bulb. Periodically check for molding or shriveling. You can also store them longer in the freezer but most home freezer won’t work because the temperature has to be above 32-35F. Plant in the spring or as soon as you can.

I know stargazer lilies are supposed to be outdoors, but I live in an apartment complex n with all the activities around that’s not possible for me. How can I keep them alive and growing in an apt. I just love these plants they are beautiful, and really the only ones I like. Thank You, Patricia

Hi Pat,
Stargazer are bulb plants that go through a growth cycle. After blooming, the plants may stay green for a while but eventually will die back nautrally. They do not grow year round and need a dormant period to rebuild the bulb for the next bloom. Typically, the leaves will turn yellow/brown, fall off. If you plan to store them indoors, keep the bulb in the pot or plastic bag in a dark place at around 35 degrees (frig) for at least 6-8 wks after which you can repot the bulb and start all over.

2007-10-14
Angel Feliciano
Hi should i cut of the yellow/brown stem when it dies out? and what should i do with the plant during its dormant/resting period? should i still water it? i live in a condominium but i have a balcony for it to get sun for a bit.i should store it away from sun during its dormant period right?

Typically, the leaves will turn yellow/brown, fall off and you will have brown stalks which you can cut off. Leave the bulb in the pot or plastic bag and keep it moist-not wet. The bulb and roots must not dry out or it will die. Store this pot or bag in a refrigerator. Keep away from fruit and vegetables as the ethylene gas they emit can damage the flower inside the bulb. Periodically check for molding or shriveling. You can also store them longer in the freezer but most home freezers won’t work because the temperature has to be no cooler than 32-35F. Store for at least 6-8 wks after which you can repot and grow again. If you see the bulb sprouting take it out of the frig and place it in a sunny window or on your balcony in spring.

2008-3-17
Mike Reffalt
We live in Tacoma, Washington about 2 miles and 200 in elevation off Puget Sound. My wife has half a dozen planters of Stargazers averaging about 18-24 inches in height and diameter some are metal and others are ceramic. In the past I have dragged the planters into the garage in the winter (which we normally keep around 50 in the winter). This year I built a cold box on the side of the house ( I really needed the floorspace in the garage it also functions as my woodshop). My question is what care do stargazers in planters really need in the winter?

Hi Mike
You can leave your planters outdoors as long as you don’t get freezing temperatures below 32F during the winter or place them in the cold box you built. If the temps drop below 32F for a short period the insulating value of the soil will still protect them. You can also wrap the container in some insulating material to protect them from cracking. Stargazer lilies can also be stored in the frig at temp of 32- 35F in peat moss.

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Mary Slusher - February 20, 2007 at 8:59 am

Fragrance allergy
We love the Stargazers but our grandchildren are allergic to the sweet smell. Is there a way to diminish their fragrance so it does not spread all over the house?

People experience fragrant smells in different ways. Where some find it intoxicating others get a headache. Stargazers are popular because of their fragrance. If you remove the inside (pistils and stamens) of the flower, it should diminish the smell. Try the Asiatic lilies, which are fragrance free.

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Lauren - June 15, 2007 at 1:23 am

I bought a pot with 6 seperate stargazer lily plants,(all in same pot) and each one has about 2-4 buds on it. They are already blooming and it seems like they don’t have enough room to bloom. COuld it be that they are too close together? If so what’s the best way to transfer them into another pot without ruining them. I also have them indoors.. I’ve never had potted lilies before and I am trying my best! Would appreciate any advice!!

The only way to transplant them at this time is to carefully remove the whole root ball (all 6 plants) without breaking it up and planting it in a slightly larger pot. Chances are the roots are intertwined and if you tried to separate them you will do more damage. I would leave them as they are and enjoy the flowers. Separate them after the stems die back and you’re ready to plant them outdoors.

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Corinne - September 26, 2007 at 2:45 pm

Planting lily outdoors
Hi, I just received a Hybrid Lily for a gift, it has finished flowering and I have pinched off all the dead flowers. It is mid-October here in Calgary, AB – is it safe for me to transplant outdoors with our crazy weather and is there anything special I need to do or just dig a hole and put it in?? I’m pretty sure my dirt insn’t all that great, should I get some sort of special soil or fertilizer?? As you can tell I know absolutely nothing about gardening but would really like to learn. Please if you can I would appreciate any help I could get. Thanks in advance!!

You mean it’s mid-September. Knock the lily out of the pot and plant it outdoors about 8-10 inches deep or up to 3x the size of the bulb. Don’t disturb the roots or cut the leaves and stem off. If you need to amend the soil for good drainage make the hole larger (12-18″) and mix compost or potting soil to loosen the soil. Add some bone meal in the bottom of the hole. Let the leaves and stem die back (the cold weather may do the job). To protect them from freezing heap 3-4 inches of soil above the soil level to insulate the bulb. Additional snow will also help. Fertilize with a 20-20-20 formula in the spring when new growth emerges.

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Cindy - October 27, 2007 at 9:51 am

Hi,
I bought some stargazer lilies and need to get them planted before the first frost right? Can I plant them in huge pots on my deck and leave them? Do I need to keep them watered until a certain time? I have some already in my back yard I planted 2 yrs ago and they rebloom every year. I love them but wondered if it was too late to plant them now? Thanks for your help..

You can still plant them in the ground before the ground freezes. If you plant them in large pots the bulbs may freeze as containers don’t have as much insulation as when planted in the ground. Be sure to add a few inches of mulch to protect the bulbs from winter heaving.

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mary - March 1, 2008 at 6:55 pm

Mailing lilies
My friend in San Bernardino, CA wants me to send some of the bulbs I have growing of my Stargazer Lillies. How do I dig them up and send them? I live in Camas, WA and this is March 1, 2008. Mary

As soon as the weather allows, dig up your bulbs, clean them off and dry them. Pack them in slightly moistened peat moss or spagnum moss. Place in a plastic bag and pack it in a box and ship it out. Don’t wait too long to mail them. You don’t want the bulbs to dry out. Most bulb companies are shipping in March.

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Marge - March 20, 2008 at 6:01 am

How much water
I want to plant it outside now in Las Vegas, NV. How much water, when and what type of amenities for our awful soil.

Stargazer lilies require a well-drained soil. They will not tolerate wet clay soil. Before planting, amend the soil by adding 1 part of compost, or rich potting soil to 4 parts of your soil. Plant at a depth of 3x the height of the bulb in an area that has morning sun and afternoon shade. Water in well and mulch to conserve soil moisture. Watering will depend on the type of soil and temperatures. Generally, growing plants need 1 inch of water per week.

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DEE - March 24, 2008 at 2:37 pm

CAN I PLANT STARGAZER BULBS IN POTS IN MARCH AND TRANSFER TO GARDEN WHEN THE SHOOTS APPEAR ABOVE THE SOIL

Yes you can. It will give them a head start. Just make sure when after you transfer them into the garden that you protect the new shoots from any freezing temperatures

.

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Tamara - March 27, 2008 at 12:18 am

Hi,
My mother has bought some potted Stargazer Lilies about a couple of days ago from a green house and the petals are starting to turn brown and wither. Im not sure if there supposed to or not! Whats the best thing I can do? Oh and when’s the best time to replant them? I live in Edmonton, Alberta.
Thanks.

The plant is showing signs of stress such as overwatering or just aging. They bloom for around two weeks and then the leaves slowly turn brown and die back which is their natural progression. Remove any wilting flowers and let the leaves die back at which time it will rebuild itself for next year. Water lightly and don’t let the pot sit in water. Plant it in a sunny, well drained spot 4-6 inches deep when the soil is workable. If the bulb was healthy it will rebloom the next year. It is hardy in USDA zone 4-9. If you cannot plant it outdoors see above post for indoor storage.

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Didi Orallo - April 25, 2008 at 10:52 pm

Reblooming lilies
Hi I bought the stargazer Lilies already bloom in the pot and transplanted it in the shady ground. After 1 week, flowers dried and the leaves and stem became yellow, i cut the stem just an inch above the ground. What should i do next. One thing more , i bought bulbs from store and planted it bec it says in california it can still be planted in late spring and will bloom in mid summer. do i have to water the soil everyday? Its been two weeks already and i dont see any results yet. thank you

I don’t know at what stage of maturity you bought the plant but it sounds like the plant died back very quickly. It’s all about rebuilding the bulb. Now that it has done its job blooming, it needs an 8 week cold treatment at 35-36F. before it can rebloom again. If you don’t see new growth in the next month you may have to wait till next year. You can plant fresh (unforced lilies) in spring and have them bloom in summer but when they are forced in a container, they use up so much energy that they don’t readily rebloom until they have a chance to restore nutrients in the bulb.

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Erica - June 4, 2008 at 2:45 pm

So… let me see if I have this straight. (first time trying to grow a houseplant). I have 3 stalks of stargazers in a pot indoors. They have all bloomed. One of them has turned brown and the leaves have fallen off, and the other two are on their way. Should I cut the stalks back to soil-level? Then should I place the pot in a cool place and keep it moist, or plant them outside for the summer? If I plant them outside, can I then replant them in a pot and bring them back in next season? I’d really like to keep them as houseplants. Thanks!

Hi Erica
Cut off the stems to the soil line when it is brown. Be sure the plant dies back naturally and not from too wet soil. It would be better and easier to plant them outdoors if you can as many bulb type of plants may not preform as well the following year. If you do, you can dig it up after summer and replant. It will need to be stored in the frig for 8 wks. Be sure to mark the area where you put the bulb, it may be difficult to find later on.
If you prefer to save it in the pot keep it in a cool place, barely moist during their dormant period and when ready, repot in fresh soil and then store it in the frig for 8 wks. Another option is to remove the bulb from the pot, wash off the soil and place it in slightly damp peat moss or wood shavings and store in the frig. Stargazer lilies don’t have an outer protective coating so they should be kept slightly moist or they will dry up. They also need a cold dormant period called vernalization (8 wks @ 35-36F) before they start to grow again-that’s why the frig. If it was left in the ground over winter, then mother nature does the job.

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Kim - June 22, 2008 at 7:35 pm

I just planted two Stargazer lilies a month ago. Both plants bloomed and now all the leaves have turned brown and fallen off. The flowers have fallen off too. At first, I thought some animal or insect was eating the plant b/c the leaves fell off so very quickly. Is it possible for these Stargazers to have already fully bloomed until next year? I thought they would last a lot longer than this. I live in O’Fallon, Missouri. Please help!

HI Kim
Did you buy them in a container already blooming? When Stargazer lilies bloom the fragrance and flower are spectacular. Unfortunately, the bloom only lasts about 2 weeks or a bit longer in cooler temperatures. The foliage on the plant should continue to stay green and grow in order to produce more nutrients for next years bloom. It’s possible that there was a problem with the growing conditions such as hot sun, poor soil drainage or too much rain resulting in soggy soil that caused the leaves to drop so quickly. They only bloom once a year. All you can hope for is that the bulb is healthy enough (no rotten) to return next year.

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debra - July 21, 2008 at 12:59 am

Cut flowers
How many years do SG lily last? Does cutting bouquets hurt them or reduce the amount for the next year?
Also does cutting off the anthers ( pollen) reduce the scent and if it does How?

HI Debra
Stargazer lilies can last for several years. They may decline (like tulips) after a few years of bloom. After a few years the bulbs form deeper in the soil and need to be dug up and replanted higher so that they don’t spend most of their energy pushing their way up the soil.
Cutting them for bouquets may reduce their rebloom slightly but you can make up for that by fertilizing the plants when they start to grow again. Generally, cutting off less than 1/3 of the stem should be fine. By removing the anthers help keep the flower longer because it eliminates the possibility of pollination. If the flower is not pollinated it will last longer and will not produce seeds. Anthers do not affect the smell of the flower.

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Jody - July 27, 2008 at 1:49 pm

My husband bought me a stargazer lily back in March. After reading the comments on this site I let it die back after it flowered and then stored the bulb in the fridge in the original pot and soil that it came in. I just noticed today that there is a 2″ shoot coming out of the soil. I’m wondering what I should do now. Is it safe to repot it now in a larger pot with fresh soil or my yard or should I leave it be. I do have access to a yard that receives morning sun and afternoon shade (I live in southeast Wisconsin) that I could plant it in, although I may prefer keeping it in a pot on the balcony. What are my best options?
Thanks!

Hi Jody
Your stargazer liliy has come out of dormancy and wants to grow. You can repot it in fresh soil and grow it indoors or plant it in the garden in morning sun. I think your best option is to plant it outdoors, sometimes when bulbs are pot forced, they don’t bloom as well because of all the energy they use to bloom. It may not bloom again this year but should bloom next year in July.

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Nicole - October 4, 2008 at 5:13 pm

Hi! I just got a Stargazer lily as a gift. We had an unusually warm Sept. and so it was in full bloom. Now it is starting to die. I have it indoors right now as the weather is raining and terrible and I don’t know if that will kill it because it needs a lot of sunlight. There are still 3 flowers left, but the rest have died. What is the best step to take. I live in Victoria, and if I were to plant it it’s have to be in a pot outside because I live in an Apartment. Thanks!

Hi Nicole
The rest of the stargazer lilies should open. Best you can do is to keep it in a sunny window and let it die back on its own. Store the bulb and replant in the spring in fresh soil outdoors. Forced bulbs may not bloom the following year in a container as too much energy is used up when they are forced in a pot.

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Marquita - November 6, 2008 at 1:34 pm

Stargazers on wedding cake
Are Stargazer lilies poisonous to humans? If not could they be placed Wedding Cakes?

Hi Marquita
Some lilies(Easter lily) are listed as being poisonous to animals if ingested. The deer eat my stargazer lily flowers, so they must be ok for some animals. If you want to use them on you wedding cake you will need to make sure the flowers were not sprayed with chemicals. In order to safely use the flowers on your wedding cake, be sure to wash off any chemical residue and place a barrier on the cake before you place the flowers on it.

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Miho Bearnson - November 23, 2008 at 10:54 pm

Grow in AZ
I am thinking about growing stargazer lilies in my back yard. I live in Arizona and USDA 9. Do Stargazer lilies grow where I live? I love this flower and I ‘d like to try, but my area gets very hot and dry in summer (May-Oct). Will you tell me when I need to get the bulbs and how to store in the fridge and for how long. When should I plant if I want them to bloom before it gets too hot (early spring-March or April). I’d like to plant in the north side of the house (in the shade and no direct sun light in winter, but spring to summer we have morning sun light and afternoon shade.) I ‘d like to know when is the best time to dig out and keep in the fridge. Now it is late Nov. Is it too late to start?

Hi Miho
Stargazer lilies are hardy in zones 3-10 some sources say 4-9 so you should have no problem growing them. You can plant the bulbs now or as soon as you get them. You don’t need to store them in the fridge as long as you plant them right away. The bulbs should not be allowed to dry out. Storing is recommended for folks that live in colder climates and cannot plant the bulbs because the ground is frozen or for some other reason cannot be planted immediately. Morning sun and afternoon shade is best and make sure the soil has good drainage.

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molly g - December 13, 2008 at 5:40 pm

Im in hawaii and I had planted 26 Stargazer lilies in my flopwers bed in Oct and its been raining for a month straight and I only saw 1 blub spouted…what happen to the rest? what should I do? thank you

HI Molly
Dig up one of the bulbs and see what is happening. There’s a good chance that they are rotting from too much water. They do not tolerate wet conditions.

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Molly G - February 1, 2009 at 11:21 pm

Wet soil
hi. I dug it up and its rotted… from 26 to 15 left. so I replanted on a new lilies bed. how deep should I put it? I have other lilies which I took out from the frige.I soak it in water and drain it. it took me a week before I get to plant it.. will it grow? and how long will it take??

Hi Molly
Plant the bulbs 3 times the depth of the bulb- 6-8″ deep. Make sure your flower bed has good drainage. You may need to make a raised bed (6-8″ high) to allow for good drainage.

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LiSaV - February 7, 2009 at 3:37 pm

When I cut back my stargazer lilies in the fall, there seemed to be a few new sprouts growing toward the bottom of the stalk. They kind of look like new bulbs. Is that what they are? How do I care for them?

Second question: I broke up a bulb by breaking off its parts (part of it was rotting), put it in the fridge for a few months, then, when I took it out and placed them in a wet paper towel, each piece started growing what looks like a new bulb. How do I care for these?
Thanks!

HI Lisa
They are stem bulblets, (baby bulbs)growing from the base of the stems and scales bulblets. The latter requires 6-12 wks of refrigeration (which you did) . You can replant both in separate containers until spring and then in your flower bed. It takes 2-3 years to get them to bloom.

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Molly - February 28, 2009 at 12:02 am

Hi. my bulbs started to sprouted but my big dog walk over it and snapped the lilies. I tried to put dirt under it so it will stay up…will it make it?

hi molly
It depends on how far along the stargazer lilies sprouted. If the main sprout was broken off then there is a chance that it will not survive. I would wait and see what happens.

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Dorian - March 2, 2009 at 9:42 am

Storing the bulb
Hello – great site!
I am a total gardening novice and I just bought six stargazer lily bulbs from a flower show. I live in south Jersey and its still cold here. The instructions that came with the lillies said to plant the bulbs within two weeks or as soon as possible. Should I be planting the bulbs outside, or do I need to plant them in pots first and keep them inside until it warms up? Also, do you have any suggestions for a book or website with really basic information on how to garden (I totally don’t know what I’m doing!).
thank you so much for your help!

Hi Dorian
Welcome to the world of gardening. Be careful, you might get hooked.
Itâ€™s always best to plant stargazer lilies 10 days after you get them. To store lily bulbs for a short amount of time, place them in a mesh bag with damp (not wet) peat, moistened shredded newspaper or spagnum moss. The bulb and roots must not dry out or it will die. You don’t want to keep them too wet or that will rot the bulb. Store this bag in a refrigerator or garage. Keep away from fruits and veggetables as the ethylene gas they emit can damage the flower inside the bulb. The other option is to plant them in pots until the soil outdoors is dry enough to dig.
There are lots of basic gardening books out there. The “Big book of Gardening Skills” by Garden way publishing m is one. Page through some of the many books available and see which one gives you the best information for your needs. You can also click on the many topics (right column) we have on our site for more information. Have fun gardening!

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Jackie - April 15, 2009 at 7:54 am

My DH and I planted 3 stargazer lily bulbs last Spring, but then we must have forgotten what we planted and where, because we planted phlox real close, almost on top of them. This year the phlox has spread and my DH thought that the 2 lilies that were sprouting were keeping the phlox from blooming well, so he dug one of the bulbs up and pulled the stem before he had the bulb completely dug. So, the stem broke off from the bulb. When he replanted the bulb, he just stuck the stem back onto it and put the dirt around it. My first question is, will this lily keep growing like this? (It’s been a few days and it hasn’t died) Also, if not, will this ruin the bulb and keep it from growing back next year? My last questions are about my 3rd bulb that didn’t come back up. I’m afraid that the phlox has grown over the bulb and is now shading it. Could this be why it didn’t sprout this year? Like it’s not getting sun? Should I find it and replant it? If I do, will it still bloom this year?

Hi Jackie
Since the stem was removed from the bulb which is the source of nutrients for the stem will not grow. I doubt that the bulb will grow again next year. The whole life cycle was destroyed. In regards to your 3rd bulb. There can be many reasons why it did not sprout this year. Too much shade, and competition from the phlox. I you can find it, replant it in a better spot. If it had a good growing season last year then you may have a chance of it reblooming this year.

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Hurdon Hastings - May 2, 2009 at 9:46 am

Hello. We planted some Asiatic lilies about 3 years ago. We need to thin them back some and pull off any bulblets. What season is the best time to do this? I have read sources that say either Spring or Autumn. Will doing this in the Spring hurt the bulbs/plants? Thank you.

HI Hurdon
Yes, you can thin them in the spring but do it before they get too far along. The sooner the better.

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Anne - May 13, 2009 at 3:14 pm

Not blooming
I planted stargazer lilies into my garden from pots two years ago and the plant comes up very healthy and full of leaves, but never has blooms. What should I be doing to make it have flowers? I did fertilize it this year also.

HI Anne
Some of the reason why they fail to bloom is 1. too much shade 2. soil is too rich with nitrogen fertilizer. Since yours is healthy and growing vigorously I would suspect too much fertilizer.

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Tracy - May 17, 2009 at 4:00 pm

Planting potted lilies
The church just gave our graduates a luncheon and had potted Stargazer lilies on the tables. Each graduate was allowed to take his/her lily home. Of course, my stepson could care less. I, however, LOVE this flower. There are two stalks…one has two blooms and 3 buds that are going to bloom…the other has three blooms and 3 buds that are going to bloom. It is May in central Mississippi. Should I transplant them to the yard now? Should I leave them inside for a while? I don’t want to lose them. Please advise. Thanks!!

HI Tracy
I would leave them inside and enjoy the flowers. Once they are done blooming, plant them in your yard in well-drained soil and let the leaves continue to grow for the season. They will not bloom again this year but look for them next year.

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Sidney - May 28, 2009 at 4:37 pm

I have a pot of stargazer lilies that are just coming up. something is eating on them during the night. any ideas for pests and pest control?

Hi Sidney
It’s hard to say what could be eating your lilies. Are they eating the leaves, flower buds? It could be large critter like deer or insects like slugs, earwigs. My guess is deer. They love new emerging foliage-spray the plant with a deer repellant. Here’s a recipe

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Alice Hayworth - June 4, 2009 at 8:56 am

how do you get rid of poison ivy growing in my lilies

Hi Alice
You can’t use any herbicide around your lilies so the only thing I can think of is good rubber gloves and digging out the poison ivy, then discarding the gloves and being careful when changing your gardening clothes. Dress appropriately,wear loose fitting clothes that are easy to take off, you don’t want to contanimate your skin while you are removing your clothes. Don’t wear shorts and sleeveless shirt to do this. You can try painting the herbicide directly on the leaves of the poison ivy being careful not to drip on the lilies. Another idea is to wait till the lilies have died back to the ground and then spray them with an herbicide or Roundup. Unfortunately that will be later in the season.

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Carolyn - June 7, 2009 at 8:37 pm

Broken stems
My star gazer lilies are about 2 feet tall with buds on them. Yesterday, while mulching around them, I broke two stems almost at the base.. If I put the stems in a vase of water, will they bloom? Will the bulbs bloom again next year??

HI Carolyn
If the buds on the stem are developed enough, they should bloom. It may be iffy whether the bulbs will bloom next year. If the get enough nutrients back to the bulb from the leaves, then they may bloom next year. If not then you may get a leafy plant and perhaps blooms the following year.

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Mary - June 11, 2009 at 10:48 am

Fix Clay soil
Great topic. I was about to destroy my new Stargazer lily plant. So, now I’ll wait until it is done blooming, then plant it in a deer-safe location. My problem is that I have heavy clay soil and need to amend it to get “well-drained”. What do you recommend I add to the soil, and how deep should I prepare the soil?

Hi Mary
In heavy clay soil, it is recommended to add sand, dolomite and gypsum to the soil. Or a better way is to make a raised bed about 6′ high. This way you can fill it with compost, peat to make a good well drained soil.

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Renee - June 15, 2009 at 2:54 pm

Divide lilies
My Stargazer lillies that I planted last year multipled tremendously this year. When and how can I separate them?

HI Renee
You can separate them after the foliage dies back-late summer/fall or early spring.

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Barbara Mallernee - June 22, 2009 at 12:35 pm

I have two stargazer lily plant and they were both loaded with buds. Something has eaten them down to the ground. I am not quite sure if it would be a squirl, chipmunk or a rabbit.

Deer could also be a problem. Hopefully, there’s enough of a stem left to help replenish the bulb. If not then there’s a good chance that it will not grow or bloom next year. In the future spray your lilies with a repellant.

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Heather - July 6, 2009 at 5:25 pm

Thrips
Hello Folks!
I’m hoping somebody here knows about Stargazer pests. I have one plant with 2 stems that I purchased last summer while it was in bloom. It didn’t last long after transplanting it into the flower bed which I think is common for greenhouse plants. It came up this spring with 3 stems and is now about 16 inches tall. I see finally one small bud, and I’m sure there will be more but something has caused a small amount of damage to the bud and the leaves. I spotted several minute critters on the tops of the leaves. It appears that the damage is only on the top surfaces of the leaves and the bud. There are no aphids or mites and these things are smaller than the tiniest aphids… long story short… I used a handheld microscope and saw that their body looks like it is made of glass with very long legs much like a grasshopper. they have a horn on their head and can jump very far for their size. To the naked eye they look like a tiny white nit but they jump. I can’t find anything on the net that looks remotely like this thing. Maybe one of you knows the name of a pest that does attack these lilies and can point me in the right direction? So far I haven’t found anything on the net that looks even remotely like it. Thank you for any help you may be able give me. 🙂

Hi Heather
It’s possible that you are referring to thrips which are one of the common pests that attack lilies.

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Amery - July 12, 2009 at 10:03 pm

I have a stargazer lily and it has bloomed beautifully! But what I was wondering was how does it propagate or how do you get more seeds or bulbs from it? I love the three that I have and I want more, and I would love to give them as gifts. Please help! 🙁

Hi Amery
Stargazer lilies can be grown from seeds, if your plant produces a seed pod, from bublets along the underground stem or bulbils that are produced on the stem. The bulbs can also be divided by scaling.

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cj - July 14, 2009 at 9:00 am

I bought several pink stargazers that bloomed beautifully the first year. The second year they all bloomed apricot instead of pink. This year they are pure white. My friend’s have done the same thing ! What’s up??

HI Cj
Sometimes the dominant gene takes over (white). Color change can also be due to change in soil ph.

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Lisa - July 22, 2009 at 12:10 pm

BOTRYTIS
Hi!
I have a garden with a mix of oriental and asiatic lillies. The asiatic lillies came up beautifully this year, but the oriental ones look terrible. The stalks look ok, but the flower bud never opens…they even seem to be rotting right on the stem. This happened to several that I had and others dont have any buds on them at all.
Any ideas?

Hi LIsa
One possibility is that a fungus is affecting the buds. In wet, humid conditions Botrytis can attack the stem, leaves, flowers and buds. Some plants are more resistant to the disease. Provide more air circulation,-if the plants are crowded remove any dying leaves and separate them in the fall. Avoid overhead watering-lmoisture on the leaves can spread the disease. A good rule to remember is not to work among the plants when they are wet or have dew on them, this can also spread the disease. Sanitation is important – remove any plant debris so it doesn’t get a chance to winterover and re-infect next year.

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Bobbi - July 27, 2009 at 5:44 pm

Please help. After my Star Gazer blooms and the blooms fall off should it be trimmed back or should the stems be allowed to turn brown and die back before trimming. I have a mature plant that has numerous blooms on it each year just beautiful but someone cut the tops of the plants and I am concerned if it will survive. Also I started with one and now have 5 stems , should I separate ? If so how? Thanks so much for any help. This was my mothers plant and it means a lot to me

Hi Bobbi
You can trim off the flower heads but let the foliage dieback naturally, so it can replenish the bulb. You can separate your bulbs in the fall, after the foliage dies back or early spring.

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Cor - August 14, 2009 at 12:36 am

My sister have a asiatic and oriental lily.Is it ok to cut the stem so that I could get bulbs? Or any way I could make it more faster to die down so that I can cut the foliage.They already done blooming. I was planning to bring it back home to at asia. How can I pack the bulbs for transport? I just want to grow the plant at my place.

Hi Cor
No, you should not cut the green stem and leaves until it turns yellow, otherwise you may not get a flower next year. There is no shortcut. Check with customs whether you can bring the bullbs into the country. Pack them in moistened newspaper or peat moss. The bulb should be kept slightly moist so that it doesn’t dry out.

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Chris - August 17, 2009 at 2:38 pm

Separating and dividing bulbs
Hi Folks,
I have several clumps of the asiatic lilies and would like to separate them and transplant them to another garden. My question is…when should I split them and is there a special way I should split the bulbs.

Hi Chris
Fall is a great time to separate your asiatic lilies. You can separte any smaller bulblets that are attached to the mother bulb. A mature bulb can also split (offsets) and be divided. Close growing stems are usually and indicator that the bulb has split.

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Tara - August 19, 2009 at 10:11 am

Hi There,
I recieved my first lily last month, from The Lily Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
It had 4 buds on it and 2 fell off, there is however one that is HUGE and it looks like it will bloom any day.
Do I have to put it outside? Should I wait until spring? The winters are quite cold in Alberta so it has me concerned.

Hi Tara
Fall is a great time to plant your lily in the garden. Stargazer lilies are hardy. If you are concerned plant it a little deeper and mulch after the ground freezes. You can also keep it indoors but will have to store the bulb in the frig because it needs a dormant period to grow again.

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Gayle - August 22, 2009 at 3:41 pm

Color change
I have had my stargazer in a pot for three years and it has successfully bloomed beautifully every year…getting larger and larger!! It is 5 foot tall this year, but, the blooms are pure white? Why? Have I done something wrong?
Thanx!!

HI Gayle
Sometimes the dominant color gene takes over and changes the color of the flower. Color change can also be due to change in soil ph or mutation.

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Gayle - August 26, 2009 at 10:08 am

I previously stated my stargazer lily has turned pure white. If I should dig up the bulb, and let it rest for a week or so……could that possibly bring back the color?
If not, what should the ph level be in the soil?
Thanx!!

HI Gayle
Stargazer lily is a hybrid lily-a combination of a white and red gene. The white gene seems to be dominant over a weaker red gene reverting the color to white. The fading color seems to be a common problem. We cannot always tell why the color changes just that there are some factors that can effect it, sun, temperature, ph, and age . The ph level should be 6.5-6.8, if your lily has been in a container then the ph can easily change just from watering. Once the color changes, I don’t think it will revert back to the original pink.

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Jane - August 28, 2009 at 9:12 pm

Bulblets on lilies
I dug up my lilies to move to another location, should I separate the little “cloves” or keep them as the clump that I dug up? Will the “cloves” make their own plant and will it flower? thanks for your answer

Hi Jane
The little “cloves” are bulblets which can be separated from the main bulb and replanted. Plant them in moist potting soil twice the depth of their size. They will make their own plant and eventually bloom (3-4 years).

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matt - September 2, 2009 at 6:08 am

I would like to grow stargazers in the winter inside my house. is this a good idea? i love there scent and would like to growth them for my wife year round. any suggestions?

Hi Matt
Stargazer lilies can be forced indoors but it isn’t always easy. A greenhouse would help. You need lots of sun and temperatures in the low 50’s at times. Between bloom, stargazers require a dormant period for at least 6-8 wks at around 35 degrees (frig) before they can be forced again.

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Moyra - September 23, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Winter storage in warm climates
Aloha,
My mother in law bought me a pot of beautiful and in bloom stargazer lilies! I transplanted the plant immediately into a bigger pot and kept it indoors, moving it to a well lighted spot indoors during the day and occasionally moving it outdoors in indirect sunlight. The petals have all fallen off and now the leaves have yellowed and are falling off. After reading the posts, I gather I need to take care of the bulbs to ensure that I will get another set of blooms from the same plants. I’m a bit confused as to how I can do this as we live in Hawaii and therefore do not have a winter period of temperatures near what have been mentioned for the bulbs. Please help! I love my plant and would love to enjoy it for much longer.
Aloha.

Aloha Moyra
Once the leaves turn yellow/brown, fall off and you will have brown stalks which you can cut off. To give it a winter dormant period you need to store it in the frig.
Here’s how: leave the bulb in the pot or plastic bag in peat, or spagnum moss and keep it moist-not wet. Too wet will rot the bulb.The bulb and roots must not dry out or it will die. You need to store this pot or bag in a refrigerator. Keep away from fruits and vegetables as the ethylene gas they emit can damage the flower inside the bulb. Periodically check for molding or shriveling. The bulb needs 6-8 wks of cool dormant period after which you can repot and grow again. If you see the bulb sprouting take it out of the frig and place it in a sunny window or outdoors.
Aloha

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Brenda - October 4, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Hello, I would like to plant a stargazer lily in Brazil. I am not a native from here so I am clueless about the soil/weather. I know that summers are humid and hot and winters pours out rain like crazy. Is this a good condition for them to be outside in the garden or should I limit for the inside?

HI Brenda
Stargazer lilies need a cold period of 8 wks. @ 36F which I don’t think you can provide outdoors in Brazil.(Not sure) It can be grown outdoors during the summer and then you would have to dig it up and store it in the frig. Best thing you can do is to check out the neighborhood or garden centers and see if they grown them. You can also grow them in containers.

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Guille - February 12, 2010 at 3:37 pm

Oriental lily in zone 11
I bought an oriental lily plant yesterday at the supermarket and would like to keep it alive. I’ve read prevous posts for information but still have questions. What type of food should I be feeding it and how often. Also, I live in zone 11 where our summers are very hot and winter temps arrive in Dec – Feb. Do I bring potted plant inside garage for those months or dig up and place in refrigerator.

Hi Guille
Stargazer is hardy in zone 4-9. It lily needs an 8 week cold treatment at 35-36F before it can rebloom again. If you cannot provide a cold treatment outdoors, then you will have to store it in the frig and plant the bulb in the fall so it grows in the cooler part of the year. See comments Storing lily bulbs 11/21/06
You can fertilize the plant after it is done blooming with a balanced 10-10-10 or a 5-10-10 once a month.

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Joy - February 21, 2010 at 3:02 pm

No fragrance
My husband purchased a vase of stargazer lilies for Valentine’s day.
There are several. I have gotten them for years and love their sweet smell, usually they smell the whole house.
These lilies, however, do not smell. They are beautiful and look like the lilies I have received for years, but no smell. I am so disappointed. Can you tell me why my stargazers don’t smell?
Every bloom has an anther in it. I have never had one that does not smell. He paid 95.00 for them and we feel gyped.

Hi Joy
Stargazer lilies are known for their sweet fragrance. In the past I have experienced some stargazers that did not have any fragrance. Some factors that can make flowers loose their fragrance are 1. air pollution 2. ethylene gas exposure 3. genetic engeniering. Growers try to improve the size,color, longevity of the flower through hybridization and in the process they sacrifice other traits in some cases fragrance. I would complain to the company that sent you the flowers

.

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MissPolynesia - March 28, 2010 at 5:06 pm

Bloom time
I just bought SG lily bulbs from walmart. I planted them in large planters (about 6-8inches deep) as instructed. I am just curious about how long til I see some green sprouting out? How long til I see flowers? I read somewhere that it takes 3-4 years before I see blooms? But everywhere else says they plants them and then 2 months later they see blooms. They are also indoor plants. Anything I should know?

Hi Miss P
It can take 13-15 weeks from planting to bloom. see http://hortchat.com/info/estimating-bloom-time-for-stargazer-lily. for more info. The 3-4 years is most likely the time required when starting lilies from seed.

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Stephanie - April 4, 2010 at 6:58 am

Hello,
I bought and oriental lilly plant, already in bloom. I transferd it to a ceramic pot. I keep in infront of the window, so it’s getting sun throughout the day, and I make sure the soil stays moist and doesn’t dry out. My question is, if I keep this plant indoors year round, will the green leaves die and fall off…or will the flowers only die off and the green leaves will stay year-round? The pot I planted the lilly in is a good size, so the roots have plenty of room.
I live in CT as well.
Thanks =)

Hi Stephanie
The leaves will continue to grow on your lily but will eventually turn yellow/brown and die. It’s the “circle of life”. The leaves feed the bulb so that it can come back the following year and produce more flowers. It is difficult to rebloom indoors but if you plant it in the ground it may come back next year.

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Fallon - April 25, 2010 at 3:21 pm

Brown leaves
Ok so my stargazer was growing beautifully and now all of a sudden some of the leaves are turning brown. what do I do?

Hi Fallon
If, the lily is kept too wet, some of the roots can rot causing the leaves to turn brown and drop. Make sure when you water, it drain readily from the bottom of the pot and don’t let it sit in standing water.

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Alexis (Michigan) - May 10, 2010 at 10:32 pm

My boyfriend bought me a Stargazer lily plant a few weeks ago. It already had many, many blooms on it and was doing fine but now seems to be dying. The leaves have turned brown and all of the flowers (including the unopened ones) have wilted and have begun to fall off. Is there anything I can do to save this plant and is there any hope it will bloom again this year? Currently, I keep it watered regularly and it is in a window with full sunlight.

Unfortunately, I live in an apartment and have nowhere outdoors to plant my lily. I was hoping to replant it in a larger, more sturdy pot indoors.

Hi Alexis
Stargazer lilies bloom once per season, so I’m sorry to say that they will not bloom again this year. It sounds like the plant died prematurely possibly from some type of fungal disease that would cause the leaves and flowers to brown and die. Because of the sudden die back there was little chance that the bulb was replenished with nutrients and unforunately, may not bloom again next season.

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Michelle - May 21, 2010 at 11:54 am

bloom once
My Boyfriend bought me some of these flowers on Mothers day. There were two stems in the pot and each one had a few blossoms on it that opened in the coming few weeks. Now they have all fallen off and it dosn’t seem to be getting anymore on it. Will the plant blossom anymore this year?

Hi Michelle
Once your stargazer plants are done blooming it’s done for the season.

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michelle - May 28, 2010 at 12:54 pm

I’ve grown Stargazer and Day lilies successfully for 4 years in my yard. This is the 1st year I have noticed something is eating the leaves, holes in the middle of leaves? What could it be? I found a slug in my lawn, no where near the lilies and have noticed black Beatles flying around the lilies. I’ve never seen a deer in my yard.

Hi Michelle
It could be slugs that are feeding on your lily. They feed at night and therefore go unnoticed. I don’t know what the black beatles could be and deer will feed on the flower buds not on the leaves. Hope you find the culprit.

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David Smith - May 31, 2010 at 5:50 am

Red lily leaf beetle
I have red bugs that look almost like ladybugs eating the leaves on my stargazer lily how do i get rid of them?

Hi David
It may be a red lily leaf beetle. Neem will kill the larvae and beetle. http://www.ehow.com/how_2290701_control-red-lily-leaf-beetles.html

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claudette beasley - June 10, 2010 at 5:19 pm

I had a stargazer plant last year which bloomed beautifully. I planted in a garden bed near my house and to my surprise I had almost two dozen tall, handsome plants which produced numerous flowers each. What a spectacular surprise! I planted the lily in the middle of the bed and the extremely tall folliage is now blocking my view for other, smaller plants I wish to enjoy. The folliage is so healthy I can not believe it intends to die any time soon. How long can I wait before cutting the stems?

Hi Claudette
Congratulations on your prolific Stargazers! The leaves need time to continue to grow so that they can replenish the lily bulb. You can cut them when they start to turn yellow.

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NICHOLE - July 1, 2010 at 10:31 pm

OKAY SO I JUST BOUGHT ORIENTAL LILLIE BULBS FROM A STORE ON SALE…IT IS JULY AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLANTED BETWEEN JULY TO AUGUST. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME DOING ANYTHING PLANTING WISE AT MY FIRST HOME. I GOT ONLY ONLINE TO RESEARCH IF THESE ARE EVEN GOOD BULBS…HOW CAN I TELL IF THE BULBS ARE STILL GOOD AND HOW SHOULD I TAKE CARE OF THEM TILL PLANT TIME FOR THE OUTSIDE. ALSO IF YOU HAVE ANY ADVISE FOR FOR THE SAME ISSUE WITH MORE BULBS PURCHASED SAME DAY THAT WOULD BE HELPFULL: GLADIOLUS, DAHLIA & FREESIA. I LIVE IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN US….THANK YOU ! ! !

Hi Nichole
You can plant the lilies in the ground now-July. The bulbs should be firm and free of cuts and soft spots. They should put on some growth this season and bloom next year. There’s still time to plant glads and dahlia for late season bloom but it will be close. Once they are done blooming they will have to be dug up for winter. Freesia, save to plant in pots in the fall so that you have flowers in winter.

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Alana Sisk - July 2, 2010 at 2:30 pm

Stargazers declining
I’ve had my stargazer lilies for about 4 years and every year they produce very large and beautiful blooms for me. But this year, the blooms are very small, maybe five inches across. A few days after they bloomed, the pedals started to brown and fall off. Any ideas on what I can do for them, so I can have beautiful blooms next year?

Hi Alana
Lily bulbs will decline after a few years. Bulbs produce new bulbs beneath the old bulb or slightly below the side of the old bulb, so after a few years the bulbs are deeper in the ground and use up a lot of energy to push their way through. Give them a dose of fertilzer (5-10-10)or bulb booster once they are done blooming and again in spring when they emerge. After the leaves turn yellow dig up the bulbs this fall and replant plant higher up in the ground. Add some bone meal into the hole before you plant them. Another factor is that they may be overcrowded.

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Jay - July 8, 2010 at 9:21 am

Botrytis
Hello… I have several established Stargazer and Casablanca lillies in my garden. Up until this year, they have had no problems, and have had several flowers per plant. This year, as the buds have matured, the outer petals on the buds have turned brown and when the bud opens, the flower’s outer petals are brown as well. The flowers seem to be dying faster with this ‘bud browning’. This seems to be happening with all of the lillies. The Daylillies don’t seem to be affected. I will admit, this year has been much more hot and humid that in the past. Are my plants diseased? And if so, should I remove them? Thank you!

Hi Jay
The hot and humid weather is ideal for fungal diseases such as botrytis which will cause the bud browning. Sanitation is important.Remove any diseased leaves. It should improve in drier weather. Next season, if you have the same growing conditions, spray the plants with a fungicide as a preventative measure.

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Heather - July 25, 2010 at 12:03 pm

Stargazer after bloom care
My husband bought me a beautiful pot of Stargazer lillies for our anniversary a week ago. There are three stalks in the potted planter he got. I am nowhere near a green thumb (I’ve killed ivy before…) and I would love to preserve these flowers so they regrow and rebloom. Currently, two of the three stalks have bloomed and and the third is still in bloom. How should I care for this from here? Will the stalks rebloom? Should I replant in another planter? I live in the Seattle area and we get heavy rainfall in the fall and winter, so I’m thinking I probably shouldn’t plant it in the ground where it’s exposed to that much water. Should I cut the stalks back and store it somewhere? I’m sorry for all the questions, I’m just really new at this and need some guidance on how to best ensure I’ll be able to enjoy my beautiful flowers again. Thanks so much!

Hi Heather
Stargazer lilies only blooms once per season. After bloom the plants may stay green for a while. Continue to water and fertilize until the leaves start to turn yellow/brown and fall off. They do not grow year round and need a dormant period to rebuild the bulb for the next bloom. If you plan to store them indoors, cut off the brown stems, keep the bulb in the pot or plastic bag in a dark place at around 35 degrees (frig) for at least 6-8 wks after which you can repot the bulb and start all over. Better yet, plant them outdoors in well drained fertile soil. Lilies like their “heads in the sun and feet in the shade”. They should be fine even in rainy Seattle as long as the soil doesn’t get waterlogged.

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Emily - August 17, 2010 at 10:55 pm

Planting stargazer lily
I was just given a stargazer lily plant and a hybrid stargazer lily plant they are both in pots right now and have blooms on them. Can I plant these plans outside? I live in Utah. Also when can I plant them outside and what is the process to planting them? Also when do I know to plant them can I plant them this fall before the winter comes? I have never taken care of these kinds of plants before, but they are one of my favorite so I would very much like to keep them alive. Thanks

Hi Emily
You can plant your Stargazer liies in the ground so that they have time to establish a root system before winter. Plant them in full sun in well-drained fertile but not soggy soil. They will tolerate some light shade as well. In hot climates they prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Plant in early fall 3 times the depth of the bulb or (6-8â€³) deep. Add a teaspoon of bone meal to the bottom of the hole. Once your flowers are done blooming pop the contents out of the pot, dig a hole approx. 8″ deep and place the contents(roots and soil) into the ground. Make sure it is at the same soil level as grown in the container. Cover and water in.

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Joan - October 11, 2010 at 12:02 am

Lily leaf beetles
I planted a half dozen Asiatic lilies about six years ago and now I have dozens of plants with gorgeous red flowers. Now that there are so many and they are so tall, my landlady is telling me that she doesn’t like them in their current location. I am dividing them, giving some of the bulbs away to friends, and moving them to a different part of the yard. I am also battling lily leaf beetles. Is there a way that I can treat the bulbs to keep from re-introducing the pests elsewhere?
Also, I’m a novice at this and would like to know the best way to “clean” the bulbs. Thanx.

Hi Joan
There are two ways to control lily leaf beetle. 1. Handpick the insect off the leaves, also check the undersides for egg masses and squish them. 2. Chemical control such as spraying Malathion, Sevin will kill the adult and larvae. Neem also works but several application may be needed. Always follow label directions when using chemical applications. http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/lilyleafbeetle.html. Because the beetle overwinters in soil, its a good idea to clean the bulbs, simply dig them up and shake off or brush away the soil and rinse them in water and dry off the excess moisture with a paper towel. To store lily bulbs for a prolonged amount of time, place them in a mesh bag with damp(not wet) peat or spagnum moss. The bulb and roots must not dry out or it will die.

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Glen - October 11, 2010 at 7:25 pm

Bulbs decliningI’ve grown 3 different stargazer lilies but with no bulbs lasting more than 3 years. Our soil here has a high percentage of clay so I’ve mixed large amounts of peatmoss to loosen up the soil and also mixed in compost around the bulbs without disturbing the bulbs. In Saskatoon we can hit high 30’s in the summer and low 30 in the winter. The soil around the bulbs is shaded during the day but get late evening sun. Once the stems are about 1 foot high, they get full sun. The more common red or wine colored stargazer only grew the first year, nothing came up the second year. The Whites Stargazer grew for 2 years and the Golden Stargazer lily grew for 3 years before dieing out. This last spring the Golden Stargazer only had bulblets coming up. When they bloomed, my lilies all had 3 to 5 flowers on each 3 to 3.5′ stems. I would like to plant them again if I can figure out what is happening with them.

Hi Glen
Lily bulbs will decline after a few years. Bulbs produce new bulbs beneath the old bulb or slightly below the side of the old bulb, so after a few years the bulbs are deeper in the ground and use up a lot of energy to push their way through. Dig up the bulbs this fall and replant plant higher up in the ground. Add some bone meal into the hole before you plant them.
Fertilze with a 5-10-10 or bulb booster once they are done blooming and again in spring when they emerge. Make sure the foliage is allowed to die back to the ground so that it can replenish nutrients back to the bulb.

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xine - November 3, 2010 at 7:50 am

Store bulb
I was advised by the seller that once the blooms of the stargazer falls off i should cut the stem and keep it dry for a week and store in the refrigerator for a month before replanting, now I’m worried because I waited until the leaves fell of and the stem turned brown and I saw bulb growth/splitting, I did what I was told to do but now I’m not so certain after I’ve read the comments above, perhaps I should have let things be as they were growing. I live in the Philippines and fall/frost/spring mean nothing to me (LOL) it’s just cycles of wet/relatively dry and cooler/dry and oppressively hot. What should I do?

Hi Xine
You’re doing fine. It sounds like the bulb is dividing. As instructed, store the bulb in the pot or plastic bag in the refrigerator 35F+ for 6-8 weeks so that it gets a cold dormant period. Keep away from fruit and veggetables as the ethylene gas they emit can damage the flower inside the bulb. Periodically check for molding or shriveling.

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xine - November 6, 2010 at 8:37 pm

The bulb growth looks like garlic bulbs and they’ve turned a bit brown, I left one in the pot and lost one to mold. I hope they do well. will they divide while stored in the ref? thank you.

Hi Xine
You can separate them when you transplant them in fresh soil.

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Sandra Haslett - November 15, 2010 at 9:42 am

I have SG lily I got mother’s day. After it died down purple shoots started growing from the bulb. I left it in the pot all summer and it grew into a large purple plant with little pink flowers. What do I do now?

Hi Sandra
It sounds like something else grew in the pot, other than the SG lily. Enjoy the flowers. You might want to check inside the pot to see if there is a bulb there.

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Abhay Puri - December 18, 2010 at 7:27 am

i just bought 100 star gazer lily bulbs from a nursery. I must mention i am from india and bought them from a nursery come to my place. The temperature here is around 20C – 6C. When i bought the bulbs they were already sprouted and had stalks of about 3 inches and lots of root formation. They were kept in a crate with potting mix which was moist. Now i have transplanted them in my farm. i hope they will grow. its just been 4 days since i planted them. I was prepared the soil with selected fertilizers. they look all green and pink at the moment. I hope they would turn out ok.
Thank in advance.

It sounds like you are on the right path. They should grow well.

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MarLu - December 23, 2010 at 11:57 pm

we brought a stargazer plant in a pot and enjoyed its beauty for a week or so.
we noticed 3 bulbs around it, however, when the flower withered and fell, one of the bulbs turned brown.
is this dead?

Hi MarLu
It’s difficult to say what happened. If the bulb is soft and mushy, then it is rotting perhaps from too much water. If it is firm, then it may be a natural progression.

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Abhay Puri - January 8, 2011 at 5:16 am

hey … thank you for the prompt reply… well the lilies are growing well as of now. Well i still have a couple of questions that have been troubling me , i would be really be grateful if u could help me out.
After the lily blooms and the stalks turn brown i have to uproot the lily bulb and probably store them in my freezer. What temperature is suitable for storage of bulbs.? how long should they be rested.?Any Special ways to pack them and store them.?
As i mentioned earlier that i live in India .. the temperature here will rise to about 40-42C in summers. I want to grow lilies in summer . According to you which temperature is more important for growing lily , the soil temperature or the air temperature.? becoz i have thought of ways to decrease the soil temperaure ie. bring it below 28C. But the air temperature cant be reduced so much. Any suggestion will be appreciated as I am planning to go into commercial cultivation of lilies and for that i need to grow them in summers…
Thank you for your time for helping me out.
Thanks Again.

Hi Abhay
To store lily bulbs for a prolonged amount of time, place them in a mesh bag with damp(not wet) peat or spagnum moss. The bulb and roots must not dry out or it will die. Store this bag in a refrigerator for at least 6-8 wks. Keep away from fruit and veggetables as the ethylene gas they emit can damage the flower inside the bulb. Periodically check for molding or shriveling. You can also store them longer in the freezer at a temperature of 32-35F/0-1.7C.
I think both are important to develop a good quality plant. see more info http://hortchat.com/info/estimating-bloom-time-for-stargazer-lily

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Heidi - February 1, 2011 at 1:07 pm

Reblooming potted lily bulbs
Please help. My local flower shop is giving away stargazer lilly bulbs after they were forced to bloom. They bloomed in Jan here in NH and it is freezing outside and to frozen to plant the bulbs. They are comming to me with stems and leaves in dirt.What should I do to give them the best chance to bloom in the summer or care for them to survive to bloom next year. Thanks

Hi Heidi
After blooming, the plants may stay green for a while but eventually will die back naturally. Let them continue to grow as long as possible so they can rebuild the bulb for the next bloom. Typically, the leaves will turn yellow/brown, fall off. Store them indoors, keep the bulb in the pot in a dark place at around 35 degrees (frig) for at least 6-8 wks after which you can repot the bulb and start all over or plant the bulb outdoors when the soil is warm and workable. see above Q&A for “Storing lily bulbs” 11-21-06.

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Abhay Puri - February 12, 2011 at 9:39 am

Increase height on lilies
hi there…
thank you for replying … you have really been helpful and answered come questions that i didnt find an answer anywhere.. thanks again for being there.

Well i have one more thing to ask..

i just saw oriental lilies at a florist here and they were very big and healthy.. their stems were very thick and they were atleast 18 inches tall(cut flower).. well the oriental lilies i am growing (star gazer) well to begin with the have just started to show their first buds.. in some there are 1 and in some 2 at the moment .. they are very tiny… well what i wanted to ask is this that my lilies at the present moment of time are about 18 inches above soil.. and their stems are very thin as well … the leaves are broad and green and look very healthy ..
But i dont see my lilies growing to about 3 Feet tall …(coz after i sell it as cut flower i need to cut 1/3rd of the stem .. so they would be like 1 foot tall(that is if they grow 3 feet tall.).. which i think is nothing as compared to the flowers i see with the florists .. and then stems are also very thin …
Now after the buds appear do u think they would grow taller and become stronger…?????
I am feeding them with proper fertilizers and everything .. the only thing i am not sure about is watering them .. because i just dont to overwater them … i keep checking to make sure that the soil around the bulb remians moist .. which it does…
the bulbs i bought were 16/18 bulbs ..
Sorry for the looong message but that i guess was the best way to give you an idea about their present condition..
Thank you sooo much … and thanx again for taking out the time to read this message ..
Waiting for your reply..

Hi Abhay
You can raise the height by crowding the plants in beds (growing them closer together) and try shading them during high-light conditions.
Also here are other factors that can increase lily height.
Long day lengths increase height, short days decrease height.
Low light intensity increases height.
Low fertilization (especially nitrogen) increases height.
High temperature increases height.

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krystle v - February 13, 2011 at 9:42 pm

Hello.
I live in deep south texas where it is in the 90s almost all year round and hardly ever rains. Can even grow Lilies down here? I love lilies. And would love to grow them.
Thanks,
Krystle

Hi Krystle
It may be difficult to grow lilies. With Oriental hybrids and Asiactic lilies the maximum temperatures should not exceed 85F. Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium) grow in Zones 3-9 and may tolerate the heat better but they also need moisture. If you don’t see lilies growing around your neighborhood chances are they don’t grow well.

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stephanie - February 18, 2011 at 8:25 am

Plant potted stargazer outdoors
i received a stargazer for valentine’s day in ohio. the flowers are starting to die and the leaves are turning yellow/brown and falling off. when is the soonest i should plant the potted plant outside?

Hi Stephanie
You can plant your stargazer in spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Plant it in a sunny, well drained spot 4-6 inches deep.

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heather - April 10, 2011 at 3:31 pm

Too tall
I have a stargazer lily that I planted outside about five years ago. After the first year it grew so tall that it could not stand up on its own. Is it possible to prune the plant in the spring months and still have flowers in the summer? How can I keep it from growing so tall and falling over? I have staked it before but it is now growing over 5 feet tall each year.

HI Heather
No, you cannot prune them, if you do you will not get any flowers. Stargazer lilies can grow 3-6ft.

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Janny - May 12, 2011 at 6:22 am

Rebloom potted stargazer lily
My Husband gave me a stargazer Lilly for mothers day, the issue is that this is my first plant and i really do not know what I am doing. they already started to bloom but before I looked up info on how to care for this plant I watered the plant. The soil in the pot is wet but not soggy, the plant is still blooming but i hope that the bulbs are still good and have not rotted. How do you know if the plant is still okay? How do you prepare it so it can grow again? I have also seen a little bit of orange stuff on a Lilly pad, is that normal? The leaves on my stargazer have now turned brown not all but some of them. He bought this lilly already potted and i want to make sure that I take care of it properly.

Hi Janny
To rebloom your Stargazer lily next year here’s what you need to do.
After the last flower has withered, cut it off and keep the plant growing. It is important to allow the leaves and stems die back so that they can replenish nutrients and energy needed for next year’s growth. When they turn yellow/ brown, cut off the stems of the original plant. You may even get new growth starting from the bulb. When the weather warms up and danger of frost has passed, plant your lily bulb or the whole contents of the pot, directly into the garden or flower bed. Plant 6-8″ deep, in a well-drained, sunny location and water in. Lilies like their feet in the shade and heads in the sun. Add about 2″ of mulch to conserve moisture and keep the weeds away.
It is unlikely that your lily will re-bloom this year but look for it in subsequent years to bloom in July.
The orange stuff is pollen the fertilizes the plant. It is usually removed, for longer bloom.

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Sarah - May 18, 2011 at 4:39 pm

Thrips

Hi! I am growing stargazer lillies and red dutch lillies for the first time. They are potted outdoors and receive several hours of sun each day and I only water them when the soil starts to seem a little dry. Both have grown into full plants and the stargazers are blooming nicely. I am a little concerned about the red dutches though. I can see color in the blooms and they are fragrant as well. The petals are trying to separate and the bloom is almost a perfect spherical shape, but the tips are not opening. Is this normal? If not, is there anything I can do to help the lilly open? My first red dutch flower dried up before it could open, so I would love to prevent this from happening to the rest. Thanks for your time!

Hi Sarah
Thrips in the flower bud will cause the petals to stick together making it difficult for the flower to open.

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Lina - June 19, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Bloom and bud drop
I bought some lilies that were in full bloom and planted them from a container. Not more than a week later all the blooms including small buds simply fell off before they had a chance to bloom, leaving only the stems on the plants. Any ideas why this would happn?

Hi Lina
Transplant shock. I don’t know where your liies were before you bought them, but you disturbed the roots and placed the plant in a new, different environment while it was in bloom. This will stress the plant and the first thing affected is the flowers and buds. Better to enjoy the flowers in the container and transplant at a later date on a cloudy, cool day. If you also lost all the leaves, then it might have had some type of root rot problem.

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Diane B - June 21, 2011 at 1:52 pm

I bought some Asiatic lilies from lowe’s. when i bought them, only one flower was yet to open. I placed it in the back yard to let it finish blooming. one of the 3 stems got brown very quickly. the other two i just cut down today. i found about 6 little baby bulbs growing from the stems. i took these, and placed them in little pots and have the outside in full sun (BTW, im in Vegas). I took the cut back mom plant out of its container and put the bulbs in a plastic bag and put it in my fridge. i hope this is the right way to let the bulb rest. it is my understanding to keep the bulb in the fridge moist for about 8 weeks? then do i plant them again inside or outside?
now, how can i best care for my little baby bulbs? they each have seemed to shoot up one leaf, a few did two. i really want to take care of these so i will have more lilies in a few years.
thank you.

Hi Diane
You don’t mention if you let the foliage turn brown before you stored the bulb. That is an important part to get the plant to rebloom next year. Being in Las Vegas where winters are cool, you probably don’t need to store them in the frig but just plant the bulbs in the ground. Same goes for the bulblets. Fridge storage is good for tropical climates so that they can get a cool 6-8 week dormant period or if you can’t plant the bulb right away.
Some like to grow the bulblets in pots so they can baby them until they are ready to transplant( about one growing season). Plant them in partial shade and well-drained soil.

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Hailey - June 26, 2011 at 3:43 pm

I bought bulbs at the beginning of April and planted them. It has been 3 months and they are about 6 inches tall. How much longer will it take to bloom?

Hi Hailey
Stargazer lilies usually bloom in July. Yours sound like they are off to a slow start.

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Alicia - July 3, 2011 at 8:25 pm

Chlorosis-Yellowing new growth
I have SG lilies in a raised bed. This year they have all started turning yellow. They are very neon-like yellow at the top where the buds are and then as you look down on the stalk it starts to get blotchy normal-green then all the way green at the bottom. There is no browning and I have not noticed bugs or any holes in the leaves, etc. I think it is loss of nitrogen because we have received a ton of rain this year. How should I go about replacing the nitrogen? Could it be anything else?

Hi Alicia
You answered your own question. Too much moisture can wash away nutrients and if your soil doesn’t drain well deprive the roots of oxygen. Not much you can do about the weather. Give the plant a dose of a balalnced fertilizer and hopefully it will adjust itself.

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Cathy - July 5, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Hello. I just wanted to say thanks for such a great website. After reading all the questions and answers, I now know how to care for my new stargazer lilies!

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Leah King - July 18, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Color change
I got 2 stargazer bulbs 2 years ago and planted them outside. One one on the east side of my house, by the foundation of the house. It gets sun util just after noon. The other was planted on the west side of my house. It is shaded in the morning and full sun afternoon and evening. Last year the east one grew about 5 ft tall, bloomed and had 14 of the pink blossoms. The west one grew about 2 foot tall and did not bloom last year.(It may have gotten frosted in the spring). Now this year the east one has grown 6 foot tall and has 25 blossoms, 14 have opened so far and the are beautiful, but they are a cream color, not the pink that they were last year. The west one is about 5 foot tall this year and has 12 blossoms. They are not open yet but they look like they will be cream colored also. Is this common to have them change colors from one year to the next? If not what conditions may have made this happen. The cream is very pretty but I preferred the pink ones. Just wondering if I need to do something different. I live in Northwestern Nebraska and I suppose being close to the house’s foundation probably keeps it from cooling a long period of time in the winter.

Hi Leah
Sometimes in a hybrid bulb, the dominant color gene takes over and changes/fades the color of the flower. In your case, white being dominant over red. Color change can also be due to change in soil ph or mutation. for more info see the discussion http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lily/msg060852557072.html?11

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thea - July 21, 2011 at 6:04 pm

Hi! I was given a stargazer plant last night and there are 7 buds. The plant looks nice and I think they are healthy. I am from the Philippines and right now it’s very hot and I would like to ask
1. if it is ok if I keep the plant inside the house just to keep it from dying.the stargazer was bought inside the mall and I am afraid that the plant might die because we don’t have an AC inside the house. I plan to take the plant outside only during weekends because I leave early in the morning and I come home at 4 p.m which I think is not the best time for the plant to be outside.

2. how much water does the plant need? And if the plant dies, will there be another bulb coming out? is refrigerating the bulb really effective?

Thanks a bunch =)

Hi Thea
Keep the plant indoors where it is cooler or the flowers will not last as long. Once its done blooming, it needs to rebuild bulb so continue growing the leaves. When all the leaves have died back, cut off the brown stems and store the bulb. It’s the original bulb. When lilies are healthy and vigorously growing they can produce more bulbs by producing bulblets. Yes, they do need a cool dormant period.

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betty douglas - July 31, 2011 at 5:05 am

Declining lilies
I had a lot of lillies planted but after a couple of years they seem to be less and less. my husband cuts off the blossom as soon as it starts to wilt. Is this a good idea? how can i get the plants to continue to bloom?

Hi Betty
Lilies can decline after a few years. Cutting off the flower head is a good thing. Make sure you fertilize after bloom for continued healthy growth and next years bloom. also see http://hortchat.com/info/stargazer-lilies/comment-page-1#comment-49583

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Helen Joy Hilsen - August 1, 2011 at 10:55 am

I live in Minnesota and have a beautiful blooming Stargazer Lily with 7 blooms. It is planted outside in the ground.
My question is – what do I do in the fall to insure its regrowth and blooms for next summer after letting the leaves & stalk turn brown. Should I cut it back to ground level or just leave it alone?
Thank You
Helen Joy Hilsen

Hi Helen
Treat your lily just like a perennial. You can trim off the browned stalks after bloom. Fertilize around the plant and let the leaves continue to grow.

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Kathleen Salminen - August 18, 2011 at 7:10 am

Botrytis on lilies
I have been successfully growing a big plot of Red Carpet Lilies for three years. They have multiplied nicely and the blooms are magnificent. This year for the first time after the bloom was completed all of the leaves on all of the plants turned brown. I’m assuming this must be some kind of fungus because we’ve had a very warm, humid summer. Should I cut off all of the plants at ground level and get them out of there? It’s now half-way through August and our first frost is often early in September. If I cut them off now, will the bulbs have had enough time to develop for next year? At this point, can the browned leaves do any good anyway? Thanks for any help.

Hi Kathleen
The leaves could have turned prematurely brown from a common fungal disease known as botrytis. If conditions are right, the leaves and stems turn brown in mid-summer. At this point, cut off any browned stems as they are useless. Clean and burn any diseased debris. Your lilies may decline a bit due to the lack of leaf growth after bloom but because they are established should come back next year. Botrytis will affect the bulb size of the lilies if the disease continues to infect the plants for more than 3 years in a row.
To help control the disease, spray with a fungicide in the spring as a preventative or as soon as you see any signs of the disease. Follow label directions. here’s some more info. http://plantlilies.com/Botrytis-Most-common-disease-of-lilies.html
Hope this helps.

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robin - August 18, 2011 at 3:23 pm

I just purchased 50 sg lillies it is aug 18 and I’m in NY. Some of the bulbs are growing. I’m planting this weekend. Should I water and promote growth or leave alone until spring?

Hi Robin
I would leave them alone until spring. You really don’t want to encourage new growth that will die with the first frost.

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Phil - August 28, 2011 at 3:32 pm

Grow lilies in pots
We purchased some Asiatic Hybrid Lily and was wondering if it is ok to plant in pots instead of the ground?

Hi Phil
Yes, they can be easily grown in containers outdoors or forced in pots indoors under greenhouse conditions. see http://extension.umass.edu/floriculture/fact-sheets/production-hybrid-lilies-pot-plants and http://plantlilies.com/Growing-Lilies-in-Pots.html

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katie - August 28, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Hello. I purchased a dozen stargazer bulbs early in spring. I live in southern California; no yard. I planted the bulbs in various containers, some have 1 bulb (smaller container), some have 3 bulbs (larger container). The solo bulbs have not grown; one of them barely has greenery poking through the soil. One pot of 3 bulbs started to have the distal tips of the leaves turn brown. I thought this meant that they weren’t getting enough water/pot too small, so I repotted them into solo pots. The repotted ones are not doing any better; a couple seem to have the progresion of the brown tips on the leaves. They get afternoon sun. For the most part, they have all stopped growing and none of them look like they will ever bloom. Basically I’ve got a bunch of bulbs, some no growth, some a little, some a lot, but getting brown. Suggestions? Thank you.

overwatering, if the tip stem turns brown and dies-sounds like root rot (foot rot) cause by a fungus.

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Linda - September 20, 2011 at 10:15 am

winterover lilies in pots
I leave a little north of Chicago and I have some asiatic lilies in pots. I was wondering how to care for them over the winter so that they will bloom again next year. I would prefer not to plant them in the ground. Thank you.

Hi Linda
Keep the plant in bright light until the foliage turns brown and dies back, then cut the stem off as the soil line. It is important to allow the leaves and stems die back so that they can replenish nutrients and energy needed for next season’s growth. Store your lilies in the pots or in peat moss in a cool spot for the winter.
To store lily bulbs for a prolonged amount of time, place them in a mesh bag with damp(not wet) peat or spagnum moss or keep them in a pot. The bulb and roots should be kept slightly moist, it must not dry out or it will die. Store this bag in a refrigerator for 8 weeks. Keep away from fruit and vegetables as the ethylene gas they emit can damage the flower inside the bulb. Periodically check for molding or shriveling.
You can also store them longer in the freezer but most home freezer won’t work because the temperature has to be above 32-35F.
Also keep in mind a forced lily bulb(which is what you currently have) are much more difficult to rebloom in a pot. It’s better to plant them outdoors.

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Mary - April 20, 2012 at 2:48 pm

Grow lilies from seed
I bought 6 stargazers this year and they all bloomed. Three of the six have browned but the other three have stayed green and developed deep green “pods” about and 11/2 where the blooms were. What are these “pods” and what should I do about them? I live in NW Florida. Thank you for all your
wisdom.

Hi Mary
Those are seed pods.
Once the flower is ripened and pollinated, it will produce a bulbous seed pod at the base of the flower. When the green seed pod matures and turns tan or brown, clip it off the stem. Bring it indoors and place in a paper bag to dry for a few days. Once dry, the pod will split . Shake the seeds from the pods. Each pod should have several seeds it it. for more info see http://hortchat.com/info/grow-lilies-from-seed

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Sarah - June 9, 2012 at 12:09 pm

Bloom once
I have stargazer’s growing in my garden I woul like to cut the blooms to enjoy in the house. If I cut them, where is the best place to cut and will new ones grow and bloom??,

Hi Sarah
It’s safe to cut up to 1/3 of the stem without jepordizing rebloom next year. Stargazer lilies bloom once per season and will not rebloom after cutting.

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Lily newbie - June 11, 2012 at 8:16 pm

Reblooming stargazer bulbs
I bought a potted stargazer lily, brought it home, repotted it as an indoor plant, it bloomed beautifully!

Then the flowers started to die. Now what do I do?

Hi
The plant will not produce any more flowers. After the last flower has withered, cut it off and allow the plant to continue to grow. It is important to allow the leaves and stems die back so that they can replenish nutrients and energy needed for next yearâ€™s growth. When the leaves turn yellow/ brown, cut off the brown stems. Plant 6-8â€ deep, in a well-drained, sunny location and water in. Lilies like their â€œfeet in the shade and heads in the sunâ€.
It’s best to plant the bulb outside but if you can’t store the bulb in a cool, dark place around 35 degrees (frig) for at least 6-8 wks after which you can repot the bulb and start all over. Forced bulbs see above Q&A for â€œStoring lily bulbsâ€ 11-21-06.
Bulbs forced in pot usually will not regrow as well as ones planted directly into soil outdoors.

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sad lilly - June 23, 2012 at 6:42 pm

Hi, I purchased a 2 lily stargazers, I potted them and watched them grow for around three months. They all opened ( about ten each bulb) and they were beautiful. but I live in florida. It seemed as though the sun burned most of them in a matter of days. I tried putting them in the shade but the leaves fell off and died anyway. what did I do wrong??? I have read to keep them in a sunny location. The leaves are still green and healthly looking. Will they bloom again. they are still in the pot. what should I do? I really want to plant them in the ground. Is that a good idea? please help

Hi
The flowers are more sensitive to heat which will shorten their lifespan. It’s important to keep the leaves on the stem growing since they will renurish the bulb. Planting them in the ground is a great idea. Do it in the evening or early morning and make sure you water them well so they continue to grow. The other option is to leave them in the pot and transplant in the fall when the weather is cooler.

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linda - June 27, 2012 at 9:44 am

we moved right when my lilies were starting to bloom. It was either take them and take a chance, or never see them again. We cut some of the open blooms and enjoyed in the house. What do we do with these tall tall lilies with the unopened blooms, so as not to damaged for next year? Unfortunately we will have to move again in about 3-4 mos. Do these plants have any chance of living another year? We live in Charlotte, muggy, N.C. thanks

Hi LInda
It’s best to leave them in the ground. If you must, dig them up and plant them in large enough pot so that the foliage will continue to grow and eventually dieback. Since you are moving again in 3-4 mos. leave them in the pots and plant next spring. I don’t know how well they will survive this trauma.

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Maria - June 30, 2012 at 5:49 pm

Fungal disease
We planted a few SG lily bulbs last spring and they sprouted quite rapidly. They are now a foot tall and are budding. To my delight, I saw the first bloom this morning – it was a beautiful (and huge!) flower! I noticed that there are brown spots on a couple of the petals though and I was thinking maybe it’s getting too much sun (I live in FL – tampa bay area) – maybe? So there’s that. And then I noticed that one of the stalks were yellow (leaves and stem). They do have buds which aren’t yellow and almost looks healthy. What can you suggest I do? We just had a few inches of rain this week and I’m guessing it is that – should I cut them off or leave it be? I’m sorry – I am very new at gardening. I love these flowers and would love to see them grow and re-bloom every year! 🙂

Hi Maria
Unfortunately, it’s all that rain that is affecting your Stargazer lilies. Too much moisture and humidity can cause fungal disease which will turn your plant yellow and die prematurely. Which means that they probably won’t rebloom next season. The brown spots can be an indicator of botrytis which can affect the whole plant. I would leave the plant and see what happens. Make sure it is planted in well-drained soil. If not, after it dies back dig up the bulb, check to see if its healthy, firm and no spots, and plant it in a new spot.

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Alicia Parreira - July 9, 2012 at 11:23 am

Hi there. Over the last 4 years I’ve bought around 100 or so lily bulbs. Both Oriental and Asiatic. The names of the lilies I’ve bought are too many to list. Some are growning in raised beds, but most of them are in very large plastic planters. I usually plant 5 to 6 bulbs per planter(both Oriental and Asitic) along with other smaller bulbs like Freesias. I always write the name of the bulbs on the outside bottom area of the planter and also on the dish that goes under the planter. I now have somewhere between 25 to 30 planters of orange Asiatic lilies. I read all the other blogs and your comments and understand about the hybrid color gene and the affect that ph balance has on it. So here are my questions. Are the Oriental lilies turning into Asiatic lilies? Should I not be mixing the two types together when I plant them? And do Star Gazer lilies have a different ph than other Oriental lilies and a different ph than Asiatic lilies? Also, why are they all the same color when all the original color combinations (in each planter) where very different from each other?

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Cathy B - August 20, 2014 at 4:51 pm

Planted several bulbs bought at walmart…came up, but zero blooms.
Now it’s August. ..still nothing.
Day lilies did great.
Planted in good soil, sun/part shade…I’m stumped.
Help!

Hi Cathy
There could have been a problem with how the bulb was stored, cold weather, too much nitrogen fertilizer. Make sure the foliage continues to grow and your should see some blooms next year.

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Suzanne - July 6, 2015 at 12:02 pm

Hello. I have a quick question. I am in zone 6 and planted some stargazer lilies in April of this year that I got from a nursery. They bloomed wonderfully and about a week or so after the blooms fell off I noticed the leaves are turning yellow and brown. I know this happens to lilies, but thought it would be months from now. I am not over or under watering it, as far as I know. Do you think something is wrong here or can the leaves yellow and brown and fall off early July? Thanks for the help.

Hi
Normally, lily leaves should continue to grow after blooming for a month or more. If the leaves yellow/brown prematurely, it may be an indicator of too much water(root rot), not enough water.

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Doug M - May 23, 2017 at 11:50 am

I have a non reproducing SG Lily in a raised bed that has been growing for maybe six years now, it is about two feet tall and the newly growing leaves at the tip of the plant are turning black in one spot before they even unravel. we just had a couple of 90 degree days, May 21st and 22ND in Oregon, which is a little early in the year. Could they be getting burned in the sun? I have three other lilies in the same planter that are just fine, and they emerge from the shadows and little bit later in the day.

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Ayie - April 17, 2019 at 3:56 am

Hi! I’ve read up on the care of potted stargazer plants and rebloomg them but what’s unclear to me is if i still need to water it while it’s in its dormant phase (when the blooms have all faded). Or do i just leave it alone? And then, what do i do with it? Do i have to dig up the bulb and replant it? I plan to still have it in a pot coz we don’t have a proper garden (with ground soil and all). Or do i just leave it alone and expect it to just regrow? Thanks in advance for your answer 🙂

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Ayie - April 17, 2019 at 3:57 am

Hi! I’ve read up on the care of potted stargazer plants and rebloomg them but what’s unclear to me is if i still need to water it while it’s in its dormant phase (when the blooms have all faded). Or do i just leave it alone? And then, what do i do with it? Do i have to dig up the bulb and replant it? I plan to still have it in a pot coz we don’t have a proper garden (with ground soil and all). Or do i just leave it alone and expect it to just regrow? Thanks in advance for your answer 🙂

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Demetria Terrell - June 25, 2019 at 10:47 am

My lilies got burned by the sun. They haven’t bloomed yet and the leaves are very Brown, still soft though. Will they recover or are they ruined?

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LeeAnn Rydeen - July 29, 2020 at 8:07 am

I have had my oriental lilies planted in the same spot since day one. I don’t fuss over them much at all, and it wasn’t till I just started reading up on them now, that I realized how lucky I’ve been to have them bloom year after year with no problems! I adore them especially for their fragrance…. it’s heavenly, and the favorite part of my entire garden! My problem is, this year when they bloomed, there is no scent, none at all. I’m gobsmacked. AND it looks like two of the blooms that are just about to open are going to be WHITE in color! Could you help me with these issues? Thanks so much!

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Vinice Calapis - August 24, 2020 at 1:33 am

Hi, what im going to do when the buds of the lilies started to turn brown? It’s look like a stain on the buds only. Pls help me..

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