Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How to split a lily bush
• Method 2 of 2: How to transplant lilies
• Tips
• What do you need

Lilies are perennial plants that can grow in one place for several years. However, over time, lily bushes grow due to their natural bulbous way of propagation. If the plants become too crowded in the flowerbed, they will weaken, so it is important to know how to divide and plant the lily bush. When the flower bed becomes too small for the bush, you will need to dig up and divide the lilies, and then transplant some of the bulbs to another location.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How to split a lily bush

1. 1 Examine lilies every year to see at a glance when they need replanting. Lilies should be planted when there are many low and weak stems in the bush.
2. 2 Lily bushes should be separated in autumn, 3-4 weeks after flowering ends. You can damage the bulbs and roots if you split the shrub before flowering.
3. 3 Use a pitchfork to dig a lily bush on all sides. Dig carefully to avoid damaging the bulbs.
   • Start digging a few inches from the bush. Make a few digs to dig in the entire bush in a circle.
   • Submerge the forks deeper than the level at which the bulbs were planted.
   • Pull the bush out of the ground.
4. 4 Peel the soil from the bulbs. You will need to have a good view of the bulb nest in order to separate it.
   • Gently shake off the soil from the bulbs and roots.
   • Use a hose to rinse any remaining soil off the bulbs.
5. 5 Divide the bulbs. During growth, lilies form bulbous nests in which the bulbs grow from one another. Professional gardeners recommend gently breaking the bulbs where they have grown together or separating them by curling.
   • Divide the bulbous nest; try to untangle the roots, not tear them apart.
   • Tear off the small unripe bulbs from the stems.
   • If you are having trouble separating the bulbs with your hands, cut them open with a knife.

Method 2 of 2: How to transplant lilies

1. 1 Take the stem with the bulb at the end.
2. 2 Choose a spot (s) in the garden where you would like to plant the lilies. Lilies usually grow better in a new location.
   • Choose a location free of moisture and good air circulation. These conditions are necessary for lilies to grow healthy.
   • Find a location with the right balance of light and shadow. The lilies themselves need direct sun, while the bulbs need to stay in the shade (you can mulch the soil under the bush or plant undersized plants).
   • If you can only transplant lilies in the same place, add fresh soil or fertilizer and humus there.
3. 3 Make grooves wide enough for the bulbs. Plant the bulbs at least 15 cm apart.
4. 4 Plant the bulbs deep enough for the size of the bulb itself.
   • Large bulbs should be buried 10-15 cm deep.
   • Small bulbs should be buried 2.5–5 cm deep.

Tips

• Next summer, you should expect only the large bushes that you have planted to bloom. Most likely, small bulbs will bloom only after 1–2 years.

What do you need

• Lily bush
• Garden pitchfork
• garden hose
• Water
• Knife
• Additional soil
• Fertilizers
• Humus