Lilly question?

Question

I bought some lillies (not sure what kind) they were orange with black specks on them, very cool looking. I planted them in my container garden, they were doing great, I read where I was supposed to take a brush and pollinate them, I tried that, then one day all the petals started falling off. I have a lot of what I think might be buds, not sure. Are the petals just supposed to fall off???? Help!

Answer 1

They bloom once a year. What you are looking at are the stems that are done. Sounds like you are describing tiger lilies. Cut the stems off and in the fall cut the rest of it down to the ground. In the spring the cycle will start over again. No need to brush anything.

Answer 2

Yes, the petals do fall off and if they have been pollinated successfully then the ovary starts to swell as the seeds develop inside.