Question
My name is Gloria and I have a MAJOR problem with my lily, can you help?

I live in Brooklyn, NY where right now its pretty chilly out still. Spring hasn't really set in yet :) I need to know what I can do to help it thrive again. I live in my house 4 days a week. The other days the heat is at 50 deg. I make sure I water it once a week before I leave. When I am home its at a comfortable temp which is about 65 degrees.
I had to cut out a lot of the plant because it was all withered away, Some to the point that when I touched the stalk it came out and the bottom was slimy.
Some of the leaves the stalk is all withered down.
I added some potting soil and fertilizer to it on Sunday 3/20 in hopes it will help it thrive a little.
The top soil is somewhat dry hoever the bottom is soaked. Its in a plastic pot with another pot covering it for decoration. I went to the garden shop and the gardener said not to change the soil as it may shock the plant even more. I know the soiled is soaked because every couple of hours I check it and its still draining out the bottom and I have to empty the saucer.
Would it be a good idea to change the soil and use some perlite with new potting soil? Should I take the plant out of the plastic pot and sit it on paper towels to dry the soil out? I can imagine that it is root rotted and may need a smaller pot now that its not as big as it used to be.
The lily is in somewhat low sun area but is right in front of the heat. If I move it to the other side where there is no heat it will get less sun exposure (indirect).
Please Help.. I miss my plants beauty!!

Please email me back if you have time. I attached a pictures but theres more detailed pictures at this link from my flickr account.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60950972@N04/
Thanks for your response.
-GDS

Answer
Gloria,

You are watering it too soon before the soil drys out. It needs to get very dry before you water it and after you water it you should immediately empty the drain tray. It cannot sit in a tray full of water or in a pot that does not have a drain hole. It would be a good idea to move it to a smaller pot and to change the soil and use 1 part perlite with 2 parts new potting soil. It needs to be bright enough where it is sitting that your hand will make a shadow in that location.

I will be honest, after looking at your pictures I doubt that you can save this plant. If you try it will take at least 2 years before it will look nice again. It will take more light, less water and lots of luck. You would be better off to get a new plant and take better care of it. Follow the instructions above. Do not repot it for at least 2 years or more if it is not totally rootbound. When you repot it will stop blooming for awhile.It needs to be rootbound for awhile to bloom. Good luck!

Darlene