Harvesting Boat Lily Plant: Timing and Techniques

Boat lily plant, also known as spider lily or hymenocallis, is a beautiful flowering plant that is native to the Americas. It is a popular choice for gardens, and can also be grown indoors as a houseplant. The boat lily plant produces stunning flowers that are often used in floral arrangements. If you are a gardener or flower enthusiast interested in harvesting boat lily plants, this article will guide you on the timing and techniques of harvesting.

Timing for Harvesting Boat Lily Plant

Boat lilies bloom during the summer, usually from June to August. The best time to harvest boat lily plants is when the flowers have fully bloomed and started to wilt. This is generally around early fall. Harvesting them at this time ensures that the bulbs have enough time to store nutrients for next year’s growth.

It’s important to note that while it’s possible to harvest boat lilies throughout the blooming season, doing so will weaken the plant and lessen its ability to produce flowers in the following year. It’s best to wait until the end of the blooming season before harvesting.

Techniques for Harvesting Boat Lily Plant

The process of harvesting boat lily plants is relatively simple. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Using a garden fork or spade, carefully dig around the base of the plant to loosen the soil.
Gently lift the bulbs out of the soil.
Separate any offshoots from the main bulb.
Leave the bulbs out in a warm and dry place for about a week, until they are completely dry.

Once the bulbs are dry, they can be stored in a cool and dry place until it’s time to replant them.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I harvest boat lilies during their blooming season?

While it is possible to harvest boat lilies during their blooming season, doing so will weaken the plant and lessen its ability to produce flowers in the following year. It’s best to wait until the end of the blooming season before harvesting.

2. How do I know when it’s time to harvest boat lilies?

The best time to harvest boat lily plants is when the flowers have fully bloomed and started to wilt. This is generally around early fall.

3. Can I replant harvested boat lily bulbs immediately?

It’s best to let harvested boat lily bulbs dry out completely before replanting them. Leave them out in a warm and dry place for about a week until they are completely dry, then store them in a cool and dry place until it’s time to replant them.

4. How do I store harvested boat lily bulbs?

Harvested boat lily bulbs should be stored in a cool and dry place until it’s time to replant them.

5. How often should I harvest boat lilies?

It’s best to harvest boat lilies once a year, at the end of their blooming season.

In conclusion, harvesting boat lily plants requires timing and technique. By waiting until the end of their blooming season and using proper techniques like digging around their base with a garden fork or spade, separating offshoots from main bulbs and drying them completely before replanting them, gardeners and flower enthusiasts can enjoy their beauty every year with new growth of these stunning flowering plants.