Last yr. lily tree was 6' tall, big stalk with many flowers. Same plant this year has shrunk to 4-5' tall with skinny trunk and has 3 buds. Why is so spindly?
This could be due to winter chilling, sunlight conditions, nutrients, watering issues, pests or disease.
Review the link below on care and make adjustments.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily/growing-tree-lily-bulbs.htm
I have red tree lilies in flower planted in pots last year all flowered last year, this year all in red flower with side shoots come up in flower put they are white flowers, why?
Your lily may have mutated. Random mutations happen during cell division and replication, after exposure to radiation or because of weather extremes. Or it could have reverted to one of its parent's characteristics. If you don't like the white, you can prune it out.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-plant-mutation.htm
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/mutation-examples-and-how-they-happen
fall will I be able to divide bulbs or do I have to wait till I see a second stem coming up from ground? thank you Hi do I have to wait till I see a separate stem coming up from tree lily bulb before i dig up to propagate?
You can't divide the main bulb. There may be some young bulbils around the main bulb but it doesn't sound like there are any mature bulbs or they would have sent up stems.
I would wait another year at least and see if you get more stems.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily/dividing-tree-lily-bulbs.htm
My tree lilies are about 8 feet tall, maybe more. I have bought stakes that are about 6 feet, but not long enough. Any tips for staking lilies are are very tall? I've never seen any taller stakes at garden stores. I even bot these stakes when I saw them in Cincinnati visiting family. I live in Wisconsin with many garden stores. Only thing I can think of is metal rebar, but it tends to rust, so I would want to paint it with a rust-proof paint first. And I'd have to have the rebar cut down, because it's about 12 feet long!!! thanks, Corrine
This isn't typical and indicates a problem with the area. Whether this be too moist or too dry, or there are pests eating the roots, there is an issue that needs to be corrected. I notice that some of the plants' leaves droop and some are more erect. This indicates that some of them are starting to fail due to conditions of the soil. The rest might follow.
Check for moisture levels. Too much moisture will suffocate the roots, but being too dry will cause the roots to fail to take in water and nutrients.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-percolation-in-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
As for staking- For now if you want to keep the visual appeal, try taking smaller stakes and only tying to the areas where the stems are bending to straighten out the section.
Here is an article that will help you to care for the plants:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily/growing-tree-lily-bulbs.htm