Garden lilies (Lilium spp.) can provide months of summer bloom, with varieties available for all climates. Some types flower most profusely in early summer, while others produce their flowers in late summer and early fall. The bulbs store poorly, so they are typically planted immediately; but it is possible to keep them for a short time if weather or time doesn't permit prompt planting. Lily bulbs don't ever go truly dormant, so even brief storage can result in the loss of some plants.
Fill a perforated plastic bag with barely moistened peat moss. Bury the lily bulbs in the peat so that the bulbs are not touching.
Place the bulbs in a 34-degree to 36-degree Fahrenheit location, such as in a refrigerator, where temperatures do not drop below freezing. Store the bulbs for no more than two weeks.
Inspect the bulbs prior to planting them after storage. Bury the bulbs in moist peat moss if they appear shrunken and shriveled. Inspect the bulbs daily until they rehydrate and become plump again, then plant them immediately. Dispose of any bulbs that do not plump up within 48 hours or that have soft spots indicative of rot.
Things You Will Need
- Perforated bag
- Peat moss
- Inspect bulbs during storage daily. If the lilies do begin sending out shoots, you must plant them before the shoots are more than 2 inches long or they will not thrive or bloom in the garden.
- Bulb suppliers often freeze lily bulbs to prevent growth, but attempting to freeze them at home usually results in the death of the bulb.
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