From our perspective, the cycle of growth and rest is fundamental to our existence. We, the Nerine lilies, store energy in our fleshy, subterranean bulbs throughout the spring and summer, soaking up the sun through our strap-like leaves. This energy is the currency of our future bloom. As the days shorten and temperatures begin to cool in late summer or early autumn, we sense the shift. This is our signal to redirect that stored energy into a spectacular flower spike, bursting forth with vibrant, silky-petaled umbels. After this magnificent display, we enter a period of relative rest. It is during this post-bloom, dormant phase—typically in late winter or very early spring before new growth accelerates—that division is least disruptive to our internal processes.
Beneath the soil, we live as a colony. A mother bulb is surrounded by her offsets, often called daughter bulbs or pups. These pups are genetically identical clones, connected by a basal plate but striving for their own independence. Over several years, as the colony becomes densely packed, we begin to compete for space, nutrients, and water. This congestion is the primary reason we may produce fewer or smaller blooms. Our energy becomes divided between sustaining the large mother bulb and supporting the new pups, leaving less in reserve for the spectacular floral show you cherish. Division alleviates this competition, giving each bulb the room it needs to thrive.
When you decide to lift us from our home, please do so with care. Gently loosen the soil around the clump and lift the entire network of bulbs out. You will see us as a tangled mass of roots and bulbs. Carefully shake or wash off the soil to reveal our individual structures. The goal is to identify natural points of division. Look for the pups that have formed their own necks and are most easily teased apart from the main bulb. You can often separate us by hand with a gentle twisting motion. For stubborn, mature clumps, you may need to use a clean, sharp knife to cut through the basal plate, ensuring each new division has a portion of healthy roots attached. This minimizes damage and helps us establish quickly in our new locations.
Once separated, we require a period of reorientation and recovery. It is best to replant us immediately. Choose a sunny, well-draining location and plant each bulb with its neck just protruding above the soil surface, exactly as we prefer. This positioning is crucial to prevent rot and encourage proper development. Water us in lightly to settle the soil around our roots, but then exercise restraint. Our freshly trimmed roots are susceptible to rot, and we need time to heal and begin generating new rootlets. This initial, careful watering signals the start of a new growth cycle. In the following season, with reduced competition and ample resources, each divided bulb will channel its energy into strengthening itself, ultimately resulting in the production of more and larger blooms for you to enjoy. You have, in essence, given us the space to express our full potential.
