How to Propagate Lycoris Radiata
Lycoris radiata, commonly known as red spider lily, is a favorite passalong plant in the southern U.S. It is so prevalent in the South, that it was thought to be a native plant, though it originally hails from Japan. Every fall, the bright red flowers erupt from the ground in a glorious show of color, just when summer flowers are fading away. One of the best things about red spider lily is that it produces bulbs so quickly and prolifically that gardeners are never short of plants to share with friends and neighbors. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Turning fork or shovel
- Compost or well-rotted manure
- Garden rake
- Bone and blood meal
- Garden gloves
Instructions
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Dig Lycoris radiata bulbs in spring when the foliage has died. Use a turning fork to loosen and remove the clump from the ground. Trim the dead foliage so that there is still a short neck on the bulb.
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Place the bulbs on the ground and separate them gently. Sort the bulbs according to size. Large bulbs are likely to bloom the following years, while small bulbs may take several years to flower.
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Choose a spot in full or partial sun. Turn 6 inches of compost or well-rotted manure into the top 12 inches of soil. Rake the ground to level it and dig holes six inches apart. Add 1 tbsp. of blood and bone meal mixture into the bottom of the hole.
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Add one bulb to each hole, alternating bulb sizes. Cover the bulbs with the neck just below the soil surface. Tamp down the soil around the bulbs and water well.
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Tips & Warnings
Never cut foliage back on red spider lilies until it has died completely. The bulbs feed off of the foliage until then. Only dig spider lilies when all foliage is dead.
All Lycoris species are poisonous; though toxicity is low, it's best to keep them away from children and pets and wash your hands well after handling them if you do not wear gloves.
References
- University of Georgia Cobb County Extension; Red Spider Lily; Cornelius A. Tarver
- University of Florida IFAS Extension; Hurricane Lilies, Lycoris Species, in Florida; Gary W. Knox; July 2005
- University of Florida IFAS Extension; Red Spider Lilies Magically Appear in Late Summer; Theresa Friday; September 2006
- Mississippi State University; Red Spider Lily Pops Up ...; Norman Winter; October 2003
