Growing Lily of the Valley
#1
02-28-11, 12:08 PM
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Growing Lily of the Valley
I have tried 3 times to grow Lily of the Valley and have been unsuccessful every time. This year I was able to get some pips that have already sprouted. I have put each of them in their own pot with good potting soil. Can anyone give me suggestions for keeping them alive? I have them in the house right now but plan on putting them under my magnolia tree. Is there ever more than one plant sprout on a pip? Some of the pips looked like they had two or three shoots. Somebody please help. These flowers take me back to when I was a little girl and my mother had them planted in our yard. Smelled soooo good.
#2
02-28-11, 12:23 PM
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Hi and welcome to the forum! 
I have lots of lily of the valley growing. They're a ground cover, so they spread. I've pulled some out and just planted them elsewhere, but I just plant them right in the ground. I've never started them indoors, so this might be your problem. Just put them right in the ground and water often (in the spring or summer, not yet).
I have some near my Magnolia tree, but not under it. Not sure if they'll grow right under since this tree has surface roots, but not 100%.
I have lots of lily of the valley growing. They're a ground cover, so they spread. I've pulled some out and just planted them elsewhere, but I just plant them right in the ground. I've never started them indoors, so this might be your problem. Just put them right in the ground and water often (in the spring or summer, not yet).
I have some near my Magnolia tree, but not under it. Not sure if they'll grow right under since this tree has surface roots, but not 100%.
#3
02-28-11, 12:47 PM
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Thank you so much for your reply. I just don't know what I am doing wrong. Everybody says they are easy to grow. Couldn't prove it by me LOL. So since I have plants that are already started how should I care for them until I put them outside? I know my daffodils and peonies are up now. I did try planting them as pips direct in the ground but they never sprouted. I think my ground here is not the greatest. I probably should have dug down deeper and filled in with more potting soil before I put them in. I know they grew like crazy when we lived in Wisconsin. I could plant them around the magnolia tree instead of under. I did forget that my peonies are under there and would probably choke them out.
#4
02-28-11, 02:40 PM
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They are easy to grow. Maybe try putting some fertilizer down, like Miracle Gro.
You need to have some root on the plant also. I would just treat it like any other indoor plant for now. Plenty of light and regular watering. Also, they don't get bells on them the first year.
You need to have some root on the plant also. I would just treat it like any other indoor plant for now. Plenty of light and regular watering. Also, they don't get bells on them the first year.
#5
03-01-11, 06:55 AM
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I have them in Miracle Gro potting soil now. They all have roots but some of them had more than one green shoot so I don't know if that is part of the root or the plant. I just took some pictures. I am beginning to worry because a couple of them that looked really good are faltering. I guess I can't attach pics to this thread. I could send them in an email if you think it might help. If you do, let me know what your email address is. I really do appreciate you trying to help me. Everybody says they are easy to grow but I keep killing them.
#6
03-01-11, 09:08 AM
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You'll have to upload the pic/s to a picture site such as Photobucket, then put the link here.
They like shade. If yours are in a southern window, maybe put them in a north or east facing window and make sure they're not getting too much water. They probably do better with less water inside.
They like shade. If yours are in a southern window, maybe put them in a north or east facing window and make sure they're not getting too much water. They probably do better with less water inside.
#7
03-01-11, 10:17 AM
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#8
03-01-11, 02:30 PM
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They don't all look too bad. I find when you plant a lot from seeds or young, that not all will make it. Just let the ones that are doing better keep growing and leave them alone. I've just added water to the tray and then they absorb it as they need it and I've also put water in a spray bottle and just spritzed, so not to over water.
Then when you plant them outside, see how they do. You can always plant some more any time. The ones that make it will multiply on their own.
Here's your pic:
Then when you plant them outside, see how they do. You can always plant some more any time. The ones that make it will multiply on their own.
Here's your pic:
#9
03-01-11, 02:37 PM
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Thanks much for your help and input. I sure hope at least some of them make it. I know this time when I put them outside I'm going to make sure I dig down deep enough and then partially fill in with Miracle Gro then the plant and then more Miracle Gro. If you have any more tips let me know. I'll let you know from time to time how they are doing of if something weird happens that you might be able to help me with. Thanks again.
#10
03-16-11, 10:22 AM
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Well after 3 weeks 5 plants are still alive. A couple of others might make it. A couple of the ones that are still alive the leaves are starting to turn tan color and becoming brittle. I was really careful about not giving them too much water. Today I moved the whole tray of pots outside for the first time. I have thought about buying some really well started plants but I'm afraid it's not the plants.....it's me.
#12
03-16-11, 01:46 PM
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Really full sun? I thought they did better in partial shade. Should I plant even the ones that have not done anything since I planted them inside? Are the tan leaves because I am not watering them enough?
#13
03-16-11, 01:50 PM
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FWIW, mine are in partial sun and some in mostly shade, yet they grow well and spread like crazy. Not to say they won't do better in sun, but they grow in shade also.
#14
03-16-11, 02:00 PM
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This is so frustrating to me. All the forums I have read everybody has so many lily of the valley they are trying to destroy them and I can't get any to grow. Well I'll put these in the yard this weekend and hope for the best.
Thanks
Thanks
#16
03-26-11, 09:22 AM
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Thanks for the planting guide. I printed it up to refer to. Of my 15 plants only 5 looked like they were going to do well but now they appear to be dying. I elected to not transplant them outside yet and I'm glad I didn't because it turned cold here and now there is a warning for cold temps and outdoor plants. I have been watering them and putting them outside in the sunlight. I don't understand why the leaves are getting brittle and turning a tan color. NOW what have I don't wrong??? Would maybe replanting them in the peat pots with fresh potting soil be a good idea? The other 10 plants never did anything. I may try to see if I can find more pips and start over using the suggestions that were in the planting guide you sent me. I should just give up but it's a quest now!! LOL
#17
03-26-11, 11:58 AM
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Watering
Some plants are sensitive to chlorine in tap water. Try using rain water or distilled water or water from a dehumidifier.
#18
03-26-11, 12:37 PM
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We have a well not city water but I will give it a try. So they should be ok in the large peat pots until I put them outside?
