Anyone have any experience dividing Crinum Lilies?

[joe_OC]

I planted a couple of Crinum Lilies a few years ago. I now have around 50 smaller bulbs coming up near the mother plants. The space will not look good with this many bulbs. Is there an easy way to divide up the bulbs so I can give them away or transplant to other areas of the yard?

Thanks in advance,

Joe

[The Silent Seed]

I do this all the time - It is easier in a pot, obviously, but I assume they are in the ground. If you don't care about saving every one, you can just dig your hands in and pull up the offsets.

If you want to do a more careful job, and make sure they all stay intact, then dig a small trench around the plant, and gently push the offsets away from the mother plant.

[joe_OC]

Do the bulbs need to have roots? I took a few off and noticed bumps around the base, but no roots.

[The Silent Seed]

Sounds like they are fine. As long as they have that "base" - they usually form roots shortly after. Just plant them in a loose draining mix, and keep fairly moist (and out of the sun.)

[joe_OC]

Thanks!

[The Silent Seed]

My pleasure!

Just curious - which ones do you have?

[joe_OC]

Queen Emma

[The Silent Seed]

That's one of my favorites - love the huge purple beasts

[MattyB]

These things can get out of hand. I just dig the whole area upand out and then you can breakthe bulbs apart by hand. they come back quickly

[aussiearoids]

There seems to be 2 red ones , one gets lots of offsets .. maybe Queen Emma .. and the other ?? very few if ever . Mine seems to be the other ..Was a gift and it looked like an enormous banana sucker when I dumped it at home . Also seen a small growing hybrid called 'Menehune' that seems to get lots of offsets .

[The Silent Seed]

There's also "Sangria" which I have, too, which is another purple, but more slender leaves, and TONS of offsets.