How to Separate Lily Plants
- 1). Insert a garden fork into the ground close to the lily you want to dig up and separate. Work carefully to avoid nicking or slicing through the bulbs.
- 2). Remove the clump of bulbs and roots. Gently brush off large clumps of excess soil.
- 3). Rinse the bulb mass to get a good idea of how many bulbs you have to remove. Be careful not to damage any little bulblets that may be sticking to the root crown.
- 4). Pull off all the smaller bulblets that may be dangling from the plant. Place all of the bulblets in a half-bushel basket.
- 5). Find the center crease of the main or larger bulbs. Twist and break off the offsets. Use a sharp knife if they don't twist off easily. Add them to the basket.
- 6). Dig new planting holes at least 4 to 6 inches deep. Insert one bulb per hole, about 2 inches apart. Water well. The larger separated bulbs will produce stems and flowers within a year.