how to transplant a tiger lily

A Step-by-Step Guide to Successfully Transplanting Tiger Lilies

With their vivid orange blooms speckled with dark spots, tiger lilies bring a touch of the exotic to any garden. But sometimes these beauties need to be moved to a new location where their colors can shine. Transplanting tiger lilies may seem daunting but following proper techniques at the right time ensures success. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process and have your tigers roaring in their new home in no time.

When to Transplant Tiger Lilies

Choosing the ideal time is crucial for transplanting tiger lilies without shocking them. The best time is after flowering ends in late summer or fall when the foliage starts dying back. At this stage, the plants have stored energy in the bulb for next year’s growth and are entering dormancy. Spring transplanting is possible, but early fall is really optimal.

Always choose a mild cloudy day to minimize transplant stress. Avoid hot sunny conditions which could dry out roots before they establish. Tiger lilies can withstand freezing temperatures, so fall transplanting can continue until the ground freezes solid.

How to Prepare for Transplanting Tiger Lilies

Proper planning and preparation ensures your tigers will perk up quickly after being moved. Follow these pre-transplant steps:

• Select a site with full sun to partial shade and soil with excellent drainage. Loose, organic matter-rich soil encourages fast rooting.

• Amend native soil by mixing in organic compost or well-rotted manure. This lightens heavy soils and increases nutrients.

• Clear any weeds, rocks and debris from the new planting area. Till the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches.

• Water the tiger lily plants 1-2 days before digging them up. Moist soil helps retain the shape of the root ball during lifting.

• Have planting holes dug and ready to receive the transplants. Make holes slightly larger than the root balls.

How to Dig Up and Transplant Tiger Lily Plants

When everything is prepped, it’s go time! Follow these steps for seamlessly transplanting your tigers:

1. Water existing plants well one day before digging them up.

2. Using a shovel or garden fork, dig carefully around each plant at least 6 inches away from the base, forming an outer trench.

3. Gradually work inward and downward, levering the shovel blade to loosen the root ball while supporting the stem base with your hand.

4. When the root ball is loosened, lift the entire plant straight up and out of the hole using the shovel for support. Handle only by the root ball, not the stem.

5. Gently shake or hose off excess soil still clinging to the roots. Don’t worry about removing every speck of dirt.

6. Inspect the root ball and trim off any broken, damaged or circled roots with sharp pruners.

7. Immediately place into pre-dug planting holes, positioning at the same depth as originally grown. The top of the root ball should be level with the ground.

8. Backfill with native soil, firming it gently around the root ball with your hands to stabilize it.

9. Create a shallow basin around each transplant to hold water. Thoroughly soak the soil around the roots to remove air pockets.

10. Mulch transplants with 2-3 inches of organic material like shredded bark to retain soil moisture and regulate temperatures.

Caring For Transplanted Tiger Lilies

Don’t just tuck your tigers in and abandon them! Check soil moisture frequently, watering when the top few inches become dry. Drought stresses newly transplanted lilies, but overwatering can also cause bulb rot.

Monitor for pests like aphids, slugs or snails, and treat organically if found. Remove weeds popping up nearby that may encroach on your tiger’s space. Apply a balanced bulb fertilizer in early spring to nourish the regrowing plants.

Newly transplanted lilies may take time to re-establish their root system before flowering resumes. But with proper care, your tigers will soon be thriving and blooming happily in their new kingdom!

The Ideal Growing Conditions for Tiger Lilies

To help ensure transplant success, it’s key to understand the optimal growing preferences of tiger lilies:

• Hardiness Zone – Tiger lilies grow well across a wide range, from zones 4-9. They can tolerate cold winters when dormant.

• Sun – Full sun is ideal, but they tolerate partial shade. At least 6 hours of direct sun promotes best growth and flowering.

• Soil – Well-drained, nutrient rich soil is essential. Amend clay soils with compost; add organic material to sandy soils. Neutral pH around 6.5-7.0 is preferred.

• Water – Consistent moisture is needed during growth and flowering. Established plants are quite drought tolerant. Soak the soil deeply and allow to partially dry out between waterings.

• Fertilizer – Apply balanced bulb fertilizer in early spring as growth resumes. Organic compost also provides nutrients.

Follow Proper Digging Technique

The key to transplanting success is avoiding damage to the roots and bulbs when digging up lilies. Here are some tips:

• Water plants well 1-2 days prior to ease removal from the ground.

• Use a spading fork or shovel with sharp, straight edges to cleanly cut into the soil.

• Begin digging at least 6 inches away from the plant’s base to keep the shovel blade away from the bulb and roots.

• Widen the hole gradually, working around the plant while levering underneath to loosen the root ball.

• Support the base of the stem with one hand while lifting the plant straight up and out of the hole once the roots are freed.

• Avoid grasping stems which can crack or break away from the bulb. Always handle gently by the root ball.

Choose the Best New Site

Picking the right transplant spot ensures your lilies thrive in their new home. Seek out these prime conditions:

• Full sun to partial shade location

• Organic, nutrient-rich, well-draining soil

• Near other summer flowering bulbs and perennials

• Away from aggressive spreading plants that may overtake them

• Spot that has good airflow and is not overly shaded

• Areas where lilies can naturalize and multiply over time

With proper timing, gentle handling and ideal aftercare, transplanting tiger lilies is a breeze. Soon these striking beauties will be feeling at home and lighting up their fresh garden spaces.

Common Problems When Transplanting Tiger Lilies

Even when carefully transplanted, issues can arise. Watch for these potential pitfalls and troubleshoot accordingly:

• Failure to bloom – Can indicate root damage during transplanting. Allow more time for the plant to recover before flowering resumes.

• Foliage wilting or dying – Check soil moisture and water thoroughly if dry. Trim off any dead leaves.

• Few or no new shoots emerge – Roots may have dried out. Cut back stems and keep soil consistently damp to stimulate new growth.

• Evidence of pests – Inspect carefully and use organic pest control methods if bugs are found. Preventative insecticidal soap spray can deter future infestations.

• Bulb rot – Usually caused by overwatering. Allow soil to dry adequately between waterings. Discard any bulbs that are soft or discolored.

• Plants decline or underperform – Can indicate transplant shock or insufficient nutrients. Pamper lilies with extra care and fertilizer to help them rebound.

With proper aftercare and favorable growing conditions, transplanted tiger lilies will quickly settle in and regain their vigor. But extra TLC may be needed if any common issues arise.

FAQ’s About Transplanting Tiger Lilies

New gardeners may have some lingering questions when it comes to moving these marvelous blooms. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Can you transplant tiger lilies in the spring?

While fall is really best, tiger lilies can be transplanted in spring after the threat of hard frosts have passed. Allow sufficient time for good root establishment before summer heat arrives.

How long should I wait to transplant newly purchased lily bulbs?

You can transplant purchased bulbs right away into their permanent sites. Or pot them and grow for one season before moving them into the garden for flowering the following year.

How often can tiger lilies be divided or transplanted?

Allow at least 2-3 years of growth between dividing or moving established plants. Frequent division or transplanting can weaken the plants over time.

Should I cut back the foliage before transplanting tiger lilies?

Gently trim foliage by about one third to reduce moisture loss while transplants are rooting in. But don’t cut all the way to the ground until plants are dormant in fall.

How do I know if my transplanted tiger lilies are stressed?

Signs of transplant stress include foliage yellowing or dropping prematurely, lack of new shoots in spring, or failure to flower. Make sure their needs are met and allow more time to recover.

With the right approach, you can successfully transplant tiger lilies without missing a beat in their marvelous display. Do your homework, follow sound horticultural practices, and enjoy your tigers thriving in their new garden habitat.