Need Advice Please-Lily Of The Nile

[callanh]

Hi All,
I am planning on growing some Lily of the Nile this year. and debating whether to get seeds or bulbs. how long does it take for them to bloom from seed?
or is it better to just get the larger bulbs. I've never grown these before. Thanks in advance
cliff

[zuzu's petals]

Wellllll - being an instant gratification kind of gal, I'd go for the bulbs,
Agapanthus grown from seed can take 3-5 years to become mature enough to bloom.

[mickeys_rose]

with zuzu bulbs are so much easier than seed unless you just like the challenge of growing from seed.

[gone_tropical]

I agree, since they are not really expensive plants, and do multiply fast with bulblets, it would not be worth it for me to wait 3 years (or longer) for them to bloom

[marasri]

I would be careful of the hardiness ratings of your specific type of Nile lily. I see that you are Z6. Most Nile Lilies are Z8, some are hardy to Zone 7 but I bet that is with good drainage .
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/139/
http://www.bigdipperfarm.com/cgi-bin...cal=Agapanthus

[callanh]

Thanks for the help.
I have decided on the bulbs, i finally found a seed site that said it could take 3 to 5 yrs til it bloomed. And i am going to plant in containers I have 3 terricotta and 1 pottery pots that are 2 ft x 2 ft. that i have lilys in. am going to use 1 or 2 for the N.L so i can move inside when it gets like it is now. right now those 2 ft pots are beneath a ft and half of snow!! we got blasted fri and sat.
thanks all--cliff
i did find a couple of reasonable site if anyone else is interested

[marasri]

My son is in Fairfax Va at school snowed in bootless.

I saw the nile lilies at Home depot yesterday. Latter in the summer they cary them in pots for fairly inexpensive, but oner can't pick your variety.

[greenlab]

Definitely get the bulbs! The grow fast and multiply quickly as has been said. There is a dwarf and full size version. I personally prefer the dwarfs but they are both very nice. If the tops do freeze they will come back from the roots usually.

[callanh]

thanks-will check out HD in Winchester next week.
Oh and your son won't need Boots he will need Waders!!!LOL Storm Warning calls for up to another 20 inches tomorrow night in the area---cliff,

[marasri]

My heart goes out to all you guys. A friend of mine has one of those modern houses with a flat roof and a VERY long drive way. They shoveled their roof for 7 hours and then 7 hours on their drive way. THey have 2 teenage sons, thank God