Tiger lily propagation

Q: Can you tell me if I can use the seeds that nestle next to each leaf on very old tiger lilies? These are precious to me, and I would love to find another way to propagate rather than digging them.

-- Patricia Dabbs, Williamson

A: The small, dark green "seeds" are called "bulbils." They can be planted just like a regular seed. Unlike plants grown from lily seed, bulbils develop into an exact genetic clone of the parent plant. You can also propagate a tiger lily by snapping off and planting a few of the scales that make up the exterior of its bulb. My guess is that in both cases it will take three years until the propagated plants are ready to bloom.

Food for the soil

Q: I have a flower bed that was tilled with soil amendments at the beginning, but maybe not enough. Will top-dressing the entire area with soil conditioner this fall help areas that are lacking in amendments? The bed is too big to till and replant -- too many plants!

-- Jeff Cooley, Cumming

A: It's common to skimp on soil preparation and live to regret it. But you're astute to realize your situation and to think about how to rectify it. Hot weather literally "cooks" soil-softening organic matter out of the soil in a few years. Even gardeners who go the extra mile to amend their soil at the beginning need to keep it from hardening over the long term. My suggestion is that you mix 2 cubic feet of soil conditioner with a bag of composted cow manure or mushroom compost. Place a 1/2-inch layer of the resulting mixture under all your plants in early fall, while the soil is warm. Note that you'll have to remove mulch under the plants before this top-dressing is done. Repeat the process next spring when the soil warms up in early April. Soil warmth is important. Earthworms have to be near the surface in order for them to take the organic matter below ground and keep the soil soft. Beginners and experts alike should do this each year.

Puny petunias

Q: I twice planted some 'Lavender Wave' petunias for a friend of mine. They are not thriving. The petunias there last year grew wonderfully. Could it be that there is not enough drainage?

-- Sherri Weaver, Calhoun

A: Although I've seen spectacular displays of Wave petunias, they can sometimes be problematic. In my experience, these newer petunias are more sensitive to wet soil than older types. I also suspect that some are overwatered in the nursery and may bring the beginnings of root rot with them at planting. Check the pre-purchase health of petunia roots by pulling a couple of plants from their pots. Plant in free-draining soil that has plenty of coarse sand mixed in. Water deeply once per week and feed often. These steps seem to be key to having good-looking Wave petunias.