Although I never kept a record, I'm almost certain my L.a. sprouted at least 2 weeks earlier this year. So far, winter was more or less normal (35% rain deficit), but since the rain we had came quite late in the season, rodents had done severe damage to my plants and bulbs (they dug many of them for food and damaged others). However this week, we have had temperatures of 27 and 28°C and this is expected to prevail for at least 6 more days.

The other thing I have noticed is that my undamaged asiatic Liliums seem to have produced more stem bulblets than other years.

What do you think, should I attribute the earlier sprouting to some good rainfall in late winter and the current warm weather?

Regarding the amazing bulblet production - could this be the plant's survival instinct to the rodent attack?

Just my observation here, bulbil formation does seem to be related to damage that occurs along the way, especially with lilies that do not normally form stem bulbils. I had one stem of Belo Horizonte that did not form a flower head but instead formed a gob of bulbils at the top. I believe the top had been damaged early on.

I saw that last summer: tiny bulbs where the flower should have been. Makes sense to me that they were produced as a reaction to early damage.

Sorry if I did not find the right wording: I meant the tiny bulbs that grow attached to the underground portion of the stem (no leaf axil), the part of underground stem with fine roots.

You for sure have some very challenging weather conditions and I'm very sorry that you suffered so many losses in the garden

A few years ago I received some OT lilies that were in very bad shape and some of them produced a huge amount of stem bulblets.

Many other bulbs are also prone to break up and divide when exposed to stress. For instance if one wants a lot of Tulip bulbs quickly one can plant them closer to the surface and then they tend to produce many small bulbs instead of fewer larger ones.

Thanks, William. Isn't it interesting how plants ensure their survival?

I would say the same for the underground bulblets when no flowers are formed.

I see, Connie. My poor babies must have panicked!

28°C today!