Last Fall I ordered 3 L. auratum platyphyllum, GOLD BAND LILY at Old House Gardens and was so excited to get them in Oct. that I didn't notice the bulb size until this week when I was looking at John Scheepers for the same bulb and noticed that they state, "at least:16/18cm". I then went to see what size OHG stated and they don't. I was curious what Brent & Becky's state for their bulbs, so I checked: "(16/+cm bulbs unless otherwise noted)". They have Garden Party, which is the closest to the L. auratum platyphyllum, GOLD BAND, since they don't carry it. In fact, it looks just like it. Scheepers carries both of those I mentioned.

I'm wondering just 'what size' OHG sent last Fall.

http://www.oldhousegardens.com...

http://www.johnscheepers.com/f...

https://store.brentandbeckysbu...

Well, of course, the best way to find out for is to ask them what they shipped. I can't speak specifically for them but generally, all sources ship bulbs about 16 to 18 cm size. There are several reasons for this, amongst them and perhaps the most important to the customer, is that 16 to 18cm is the optimum size for ease of garden planting and adaptability into the customers garden. Other reasons are that it coincides with the growers 3 year crop rotation, takes up less bin processing space, refrigerator space and expense, and, saves the customer money in shipping by getting more bulbs per box, just to name a few.

Keep in mind some hybrid cultivars grow bigger bulbs than others so some bulbs may be shipped over the 16 to 18 cm size. If they are less than that it is usually stated. Exactly what size is characteristic for Gold Band and how that relates to the overall lilium population in terms of size relative to shipping size, I'd rather have someone else on this forum speak to that.

I received Gold Band last fall and wasn't too impressed with the size only meaning it wasn't one of those mondo big ones like Conc d"Or. The plants are fairly small thus far but not unusual for a first year.

Please remember that species are NOT hybrids, and generally don't have the same level of size, vigor or incredible adaptability that come with being a hybrid. This is the natural and normal way of mother nature. I know you're not complaining, but lest someone gets the wrong idea, it's worth reiterating for everyone that it's not fair to compare species bulbs with hybrid bulbs.

I guess the important thing is to get what you want and that the bulb should generally feel solid and heavy for it's size and look healthy.

Oberon46 said:I received Gold Band last fall and wasn't too impressed with the size only meaning it wasn't one of those mondo big ones like Conc d"Or. The plants are fairly small thus far but not unusual for a first year.

Did you get yours at OHG also? I didn't think the bulbs were that big, esp. comparing to a statement of "16/18".

I'd like to see pics of what a size 16/18 looks like, as well as, the other sizes.

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Thanks everyone for your info and imput!

I was going to ask OHG what sizes of bulbs, they ship and esp. the Gold Band ones. I'll have to try and do that this week.

Here's an easy way to visualize 16 to 18 cm: The rim at the top of any 12 ounce soda can like coke, 7UP, etc. is very close to 17 cm in circumference , so use that as a reference. In terms of inches across or diameter, that works out to about 2 and 1/8th inches, or a little over 2 inches across. Now, that sounds like you'd need a pretty big bulb to match that, but you don't. Try it sometime and you'll see. Most all bulbs you'll receive will be larger than that, even. Except, of course as Rick says, Species sizes should not be compared to commercial hybrid sizes. But even then, the sellers should describe the approximate size in some fashion.

Thanks again for all the helpful info!

" the sellers should describe the approximate size in some fashion" That's what I thought too.

I just hope the wild rabbits and other critters leave my bulbs and plants alone.

Rec. this email from OHG today.....

"Hello Marilyn

Thank you for emailing in with your question. We always order the largest available or “blooming size bulbs” and last year ordered size 16/18 bulbs of this variety. Lilies do take longer to establish so if yours did not bloom for you the first year or had a smaller/distorted flower, don’t be surprised. They should bloom lovely next summer for you. When our gold band bloomed here it was only 2’ tall and had one or two blooms per plant.

Please let me know if you have any other questions, thank you.

Vanessa, Bulbs Manager"

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