Orange lilies are a beautiful addition to any garden, but sometimes they can be fickle about when they decide to bloom. If your orange lilies haven’t bloomed in a while, there are several things you can try to encourage them to flower again.
Why Aren’t My Orange Lilies Blooming?
There are a few common reasons why orange lily plants may not bloom:
- Too much shade – Orange lilies need full sun to bloom well. At least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal.
- Overcrowding – If the bulbs are planted too close together, there will be too much competition for nutrients and water.
- Insufficient nutrients – Orange lilies are heavy feeders and need fertile, well-drained soil. Lack of nutrients like nitrogen can prevent flowering.
- Incorrect planting depth – Orange lily bulbs should be planted with the top 1-2 inches of the bulb exposed.
- Day length – Some orange lily varieties are triggered to bloom by increasing or decreasing daylight hours.
- Age of the bulbs – As bulbs get older, they tend to bloom less. Digging up and dividing overcrowded clumps every few years can help.
Figuring out the reason why your orange lilies aren’t blooming will help you pinpoint solutions to get them flowering again.
How to Get Orange Lilies to Bloom Again
If you’re wondering how to make orange lilies bloom, try these tips:
Give Them More Sunlight
One of the most common issues is insufficient sunlight. Orange lilies thrive best in an area receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily. If your lilies are planted in too much shade, try moving them to the sunniest part of your garden.
Morning sun is ideal as it helps dry dew from the plants, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. If you don’t have a suitable sunny spot, look for dwarf or patio lily varieties that can thrive in containers placed in the sunniest areas of your yard.
Provide Extra Nutrients
Lack of nutrients like nitrogen can lead to poor flowering in orange lilies. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season to provide extra nourishment. Well-rotted compost or manure worked into the soil before planting will also help.
If the soil is very poor, try mixing in some bulb food or bone meal at planting time to give the lily roots an extra boost. Remember that orange lilies have large root systems extending 12 inches or more down into the soil, so nutrients need to reach deep.
Give Them More Space
Overcrowding is another common cause of orange lilies failing to bloom. The bulbs compete for resources when planted too close together. For best flowering, separate bulbs every 3-4 years in the fall.
Replant the bulblets with at least 6-12 inches between them. This allows their root systems ample room to spread out and obtain sufficient nutrients and moisture from the soil.
Check Bulb Planting Depth
Some gardeners unknowingly plant their orange lily bulbs too deep in the ground. Lily bulbs should be planted quite shallow, with the top 1-2 inches of the bulb sticking out above the soil surface. This prevents the bulbs from rotting.
If you suspect your lilies were planted too deeply, carefully dig them up in early fall. Replant them at the proper depth before the ground freezes. Be careful not to damage the root system when replanting.
Provide Consistent Moisture
Orange lilies need about 1-2 inches of water per week from rainfall or irrigation during the growing season. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Using mulch can help retain soil moisture.
Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, as wet soil can lead to fungal problems. Avoid overwatering, which causes the bulbs to rot. The soil should be kept moist, not saturated.
Stake Tall Stems
Some orange lily varieties can grow quite tall, with stems reaching 5 feet high or higher! These tall stems may flop over under their own weight or in wind and rain. Staking provides support and prevents damage.
Insert sturdy stakes around emerging lily stems in spring. Use soft ties or twine to gently secure stems to the stakes as they grow. Staking allows air circulation and light penetration while keeping stems upright.
Deadhead Spent Blooms
It’s important to deadhead, or remove, faded orange lily flowers once they are finished blooming. This triggers the plant to redirect energy toward producing new flower buds instead of seed pods.
Use pruners or scissors to snip off wilted blooms just below the flower head. Deadheading prolongs the lily flowering season by encouraging reblooming. Discard removed flowers to prevent self-sowing.
Control Pests & Diseases
orange lilies can fall victim to common garden pests and diseases that may inhibit flowering. Watch for aphids, thrips, and lily beetles which can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Fungal issues like botrytis blight can be prevented with proper watering and ample airflow.
Always remove any infected plant material and avoid overhead watering which spreads spores. A preventative fungicide spray may help in very wet climates. Address pest and disease issues promptly to keep your orange lilies healthy.
Allow Bulbs Time to Rejuvenate
Keep in mind that orange lily bulbs need time to recover their energy each year before flowering again. Avoid disturbing the bulbs for at least 6 weeks after bloom time ends to give them an opportunity to recharge and prepare for the next flowering cycle.
Providing good post-bloom care with ample moisture and nutrients allows bulb stores to replenish. Be patient, as it may take a season or two to see improved flowering after issues like overcrowding or improper planting depth are corrected.
When to Expect Orange Lilies to Bloom
Most orange lily varieties bloom in early to midsummer. However, bloom time is affected by several factors:
- Planting depth – Deeper planted bulbs bloom later.
- Local climate – Blooms appear earlier in warmer areas.
- Variety – Early, mid and late season bloomers are available.
- Maturity – Young bulbs may take 2-3 years to reach peak flowering.
Here are some general guidelines for when to expect orange lily flowering:
Planting Depth | Expected Bloom Time |
---|---|
2 inches deep | Early summer |
4 inches deep | Mid summer |
6 inches deep | Late summer |
Talk to your local nursery to find out which orange lily varieties bloom when in your particular area. Choosing early, mid and late bloomers extends the flowering season.
Caring for Orange Lilies After Blooming
Proper care after blooming is crucial to ensure a good display next year. Follow these tips after your orange lilies finish flowering:
Stop Fertilizing
Discontinue fertilizer application after bloom time, as it can stimulate leaf growth at the expense of flower bud development. Allow the foliage to naturally die back until it turns yellow.
Stop Deadheading
Once summer blooming is finished, allow the last flowers to form seed pods instead of deadheading them. This allows the plant to put energy into the developing seeds and bulbs.
Stop Staking
Remove any staking once flowers are finished, as it is no longer needed. Carefully pull up stakes and untie stems to prevent damage.
Reduce Watering
Gradually taper off watering as the leaves start yellowing, allowing the soil to dry out more between waterings. This signals the plant to go dormant for the season.
Leave Foliage
Allow the fading foliage to remain in place until it completely yellows. The leaves transfer nutrients back to the bulb as they die back.
Stop Deadleafing
Avoid cutting back the leaves before they naturally yellow and wither. Removing green leaves can deprive bulbs of nutrients they need for next year’s blooms.
Apply Mulch
Once the ground starts freezing, mulch over the lily bed with 3-4 inches of shredded leaves, straw or other organic material. This insulates bulbs from extreme cold.
Dig and Divide
Congested clumps that haven’t bloomed well can be dug up and divided every 2-3 years in early fall. Replant the bulblets with proper spacing.
Conclusion
With a little detective work and proper care, you can get your orange lilies flowering beautifully again. Address issues like insufficient sunlight, overcrowding, improper planting depth, and nutrient deficiencies. Good post-bloom care allowing bulbs time to rejuvenate also encourages reblooming.
Orange lilies are well worth the effort to get them blooming at their best again, brightening up your summer garden with gorgeous color year after year.