Foliage on Stargazers

[Ray]

Ann,

I followed the directions last fall and was able to get some of the divided stargazers to make new bulbs. They came up this year with some mostly stunted foliage. I kinda expected that because the bulblets were not as big as the momma they came from. Now, most of the ones I didn't massacre have flowered and all of the flowers are gone. Should I leave the foliage and let it just die back in the winter or should I cut it off?

TIA,

Ray in south Louisiana

[Ann B.]

Oh, My!

Yes, leave the foliage. It will die back long before winter arrives for us. The foliage will provide food storage for next year's growth. Remove the foliage only after it turns brown.

My little bulblets are going to bloom this year, and I am so very excited. The bulbs are still small, but these are only a little over 2 years old, so I am thrilled that they are even close to blooming much less producing so many blooms.

I think they need more sun than what they are getting right now though. They seem to be leggy and a few are leaning. I will propabably have to stake them when they start to open which will be any day now.

[Ann B.]

Two opened today, and it has rained much of the day, but I see the sun trying to come out.

I staked the ones that I felt might start leaning with the weight of the blooms.

http://www.landspro.com/images/st_01.JPG

They look to perfect to be real, but the perfume lets you know that they are.

They are so beautiful and the blooms last so very long! It's no wonder that I am hooked on liliums...

[Ray]

Ann,

I've had mine bloom and pass already this year. You're right! They had flowers for about three or four weeks! And just when you think one is over another of the "white cigar" shaped buds open and another is there for a week or so. I'm hooked.

It's funny how we are about at the same latitude but mine have come and gone but your's are just starting.

Thanks for the picture. I could smell them when I opened the message!



Ray

[Ann B.]

Ray!

You took the words right out of my mouth. The only difference is that these were in 'mum' pots until just a week or so ago. That means they were probably subjected to more cold since the pots were above ground. They probably would have warmed up faster if they had been in the garden already.

I had them in the pots in my vegetable garden, and I wanted to get them planted before they bloomed. Actually, they should have been planted already, but my schedule didn't permit. They were root bound, but appear to be okay. Since they were sitting on landscape fabric, they didn't root into the garden soil.

There are six open today, and more will open tomorrow. As you can see by all the 'cigars', there are still many, many more that remain to give a show for me!

I am thrilled. I have been 'babying' these for quite some time!

You can't see all of them in this picture, but it'll give you an idea of what I see from my family room window....

http://www.landspro.com/images/st_02.JPG

I will be hand pollinating these because L. Stargazers produce a lot of seeds. They are not viable for long from what I understand, so I will have flats ready for them.

What JOY!

[Ann B.]

I counted 18 blooms this morning, and there are still many more to open....

The fragrance is unbelieveable!

http://www.landspro.com/images/st_18.JPG

[Ray]

Ann,

They are beautiful!!!. I have enjoyed mine immensely. I will try to peel some scales again this fall. The only bad thing is you lose a year of blooms. So, I went to Bloomingbulb's and bought 25 more on sale. 25 for $24. I thought it was a steal.

Thanks,

Ray

[Rebecca]

Morning Y'all,

Your 'Stargazers' are beautiful! I do have a few of the Orientals, but no 'Stargazer' series ones and y'all have me <u>GREEN</u> with envy!


Rebecca