Lilium bolanderi question

Jane McGary janemcgary@earthlink.net
Tue, 08 Nov 2016 12:48:15 PST
Re. cultivation of Lilium bolanderi, here is what Edward McRae wrote in 
his invaluable book /Lilies: A Guide for Gardeners and Collectors:
"/... one of a group of American lilies that require extreme drainage to 
survive, but the soil beneath them should not be allowed to dry out 
completely. Plants grown from seed typically flower in three years."
In /Bulbs of North America /(dare I call it "invaluable" too?)/, /McRae 
expanded on this:
"Outside its native range, it succeeds best in the bulb frame where the 
moisture regime can be managed."

Thus, we can see that L. bolanderi belongs to that often problematic 
group of bulbs adapted to conditions of low annual precipitation and 
winter snow cover. I find that alpine/subalpine bulbs from meadows with 
a moderate slope often survive at lower elevations, but those native to 
steep slopes (e.g. Erythronium montanum) are harder to maintain, and as 
far as I know L. bolanderi is always seen on rather steep inclines, 
where the rocky soil may be somewhat mobile (note that its bulb has 
"loosely attached scales," suggesting a strategy for survival in moving 
soils). I grew it for a few years and flowered it once, but then it 
died, despite being in a bulb frame at 1600 feet elevation. Other 
correspondents mentioned the high summer heat of its habitat, but I 
don't think one should allow the bulbs to get hot if grown in pots.

Jane McGary
Portland, Oregon, USA

On Sun, Nov 6, 2016 at 1:56 PM arcangelo wessells via pbs <
> pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> wrote:
>
> Hello all,Another request for advice. This year I had seven Lilium
> bolanderi seedlings germinate after almost six months in the frig at 51
> degrees. That was in late May. Now I don't know exactly how to treat them
> going into winter. They spent the year in a cool room in the back of the
> house with only indirect light. That room is now cooler and darker. They
> are now in a bit brighter room in the house, but it is about 60. That may
> be too warm. I have started to let them dry out  but they seem willing to
> stay green. Do  I force them to dry out or grow them until they yellow. I
> think I want to avoid moist soil when they stop growing. Should they be
> cold? These are a bit out of the usual for me. I mostly grow bulbs that are
> ok with winter wet and my outdoor temperatures. I essentially have outside
> or in the house as options. We just had some rain but now we are in for a
> few weeks of 72/48 day and night temps. Any help would be
> appreciated.Arcangelo WessellsVallejo CAnorthern California
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