Give bulbs, perennials attention> Planting, dividing among autumn tasks

Hundreds of Canada geese have flown over the farm this week. The unmistakable honking can be heard throughout the day, as the birds ready themselves for the winter ahead and fly south.

Migrating birds are one of Maine’s many icons of fall. Gardeners also undertake many perennial tasks through the ritual preparations for winter. Planting bulbs and dividing perennials is one such ritual.

Over the last month, some readers’ letters and questions dealt with the care of bulbs. In this column, I share a sampling of these letters and others with you.

Q: In my garden are a number of healthy lilies which are, of course, now readying themselves for winter. They have remained undisturbed for several seasons and are now sending up excessive new shoots — not very productive — arising from daughter bulbs, I presume. What do I do — dig up the bulbs now, slice off the daughter bulbs and replant? Or should I keep the bulb in the cellar and replant in spring? How about acidity and fertilizing? — F.S., Machias

A: Clumps of overgrown lilies are best divided in fall. The procedure is simple: As you say, dig, cut off the bulblets and replant, allowing plenty of room for growth. There is some danger that if your bulbs have been overgrown for too long and have acquired a disease problem, this means of asexual reproduction may spread disease, but if your plants and bulbs appear healthy, all should be well.

As for cultural requirements, bulbs are particularly adaptable to a wide range of environmental conditions. Any fertile soil in a site that provides full sun to partial shade will be suitable. Slightly acidic soil is best. Using an organic soil amendment, such as garden compost or composted manure will provide an adequate supply of nutrients and will go far in promoting good soil drainage, an important requirement for the species.

Note that many lilies perform best if the roots are kept cool with a thick layer of mulch.

Q: Can canna lilies overwinter in Maine? — D.W., Trenton

A: No. The rhizomes of canna are too tender for perennial cultivation here in Maine, and the plant is treated generally as an annual.

Q: I am interested in growing orchids in my home. What is the best medium for growing these testy plants? — T.U., Islesboro

A: Many orchid growers believe straight sphagnum moss is the best medium for growing orchids. The roots of the orchid need lots of air, and sphagnum does the trick.

According to orchid lovers I’ve spoken with, cultivating these exotic plants isn’t as difficult as some people believe. While orchids do have requirements to which they are sensitive, many growers say that anyone can grow with success.

Reader connection

I am repeating, for your information, an announcement that already ran in this column. The gardening magazine People, Places and Plants will hold the first annual Who’s Who in Horticulture, a public event to benefit the horticulture scholarship funds at Southern Maine Technical College and the University of inine at Orono on Nov. 7 at the Augusta Civic Center.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the event will feature presentations by educators, Extension personnel and other noted members of the horticulture industry in Maine. There will be a benefit auction, entertainment and dancing throughout the evening. Everyone is welcome to attend, and a minimum donation of $25 person is requested. For information, contact People, Places and Plants at P.O. Box 605, Gray 04039, or call 207-428-4001 or 800-251-1784.

If you have questions you’d like answered in this column, please them to the address below. I am unable to personally answer each question I receive, so please don’t send an SASE with your question. If your club or organization is interested in posting a gardening-related event, be sure to allow me at least three weeks’ notice before the event’s date.

Diana George Chapin is the NEWS garden columnist. Send horticulture questions to Gardening Questions, c/o MaineWeekend, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. Selected questions will be answered in future columns. Include name, address and telephone number.