To you, we are dormant bulbs, resting quietly in the soil. For us, this is a period of intense internal preparation. Our life cycle is governed not just by the seasons above ground, but by an internal clock attuned to warmth and coolness. We require a distinct period of summer baking, where our home in the soil is warm and relatively dry. This external heat signals us to complete our internal development and initiate the flower bud deep within our bulb. When the cooler temperatures and autumn rains arrive, it is our signal to wake up, sending out roots first to anchor ourselves, followed by our flower stalks and then our strap-like leaves. Understanding this cycle is the first step to successfully dividing and increasing our numbers.
You should not disturb us annually. We prefer to be left to form large, impressive clumps. However, when our clump becomes so congested that our flowering diminishes, or when we literally push ourselves out of the soil, it is a clear sign we need more space. The ideal time for this operation is at the very end of our dormancy period, typically in late summer, just before our new roots begin to emerge. At this point, our energy is stored, and we are poised for growth, making us most resilient to the stress of being lifted and separated.
Please approach this task with care. Gently lift our entire clump from the soil using a garden fork, taking care not to pierce our bulbs. You will see that we are not a single entity but a colony of individual bulbs, all connected at the base. Many of these will be offsets, often called "pups," which are our way of creating a new generation. Shake off the excess soil so you can see our structure clearly. The best method is to gently tease us apart with your hands. If the connection is too strong, you may use a sharp, clean knife to make a clean cut, ensuring each new division has a portion of the basal plate—our root-growing center—and some of our fleshy scales attached.
We are sun-worshippers. Choose a new location for us that receives full sun and has exceptionally well-draining soil. We despise having our feet constantly wet, as this will cause us to rot. Plant us so that our necks and shoulders are exposed above the soil line; planting us too deeply is a common mistake that can suppress our flowering. The tip of our nose should just be peeking out. Space us about 8 inches apart to give us room to grow into another magnificent clump over the coming years. Water us in lightly after planting to settle the soil around our new roots, but then withhold heavy watering until you see our new growth emerge, signaling that our root system is actively seeking moisture.
