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| Lillium | Common name; Lily |
Group 1
Group 4
Group 7
Lilium are classified into 9 divisions and many sub-divisions they are;
1)Asiatic hybrids
2)Martagon hybrids
3)Candidum hybrids
4)American hybrids
5)Longiflorum hybrids
6)Trumpet & Aurelian hybrids
7) Oriental hybrids
8)All hybrids not belonging to any other division
9)All true species and there botanical forms and varieties
Lilies are quite easy to grow and come in many colours as seen here, plus they make excellent cut flowers.
They can be grown in borders, amongst shrubs, or in tubs.
Depending upon variety the flowering period is from June to September.
Again depending upon variety they will grow to 500-1000 mm(20"-40")in height
Cultivation;
In Borders
Plant lily bulbs upon arrival, they resent being allowed to dry out.
If when the bulbs arrive the ground is unworkable, they should be stored in a mixture of sand and peat in a cool position until ready for planting out (Week 20 ).
n.b. Be extra careful when transplanting/handling the bulbs at this stage, the brittle roots are easily damaged.
They prefer a cool, semi-shaded area where the soil is well-drained, yet not prone to drying out in summer.
They must have good drainage and a moist rich soil.
In general, a neutral soil is preferred (PH 6.5) and the soil should be enriched with well rotted manure or garden compost, or leaf mould if available.
Heavy soils should have plenty of coarse sand and grit worked in.
Plant the bulbs with a covering of soil equal to three times the height of the bulb.
If this is impractical because of insufficient soil depth, plant them 150mm(6") deep and 250mm(10") apart.
In shallow soils there is an increased possibility of wind rock so it is advisable to insert a cane at this stage for eventual support.
To do this later may result in damage to the bulb.
Place the bulb on a layer of coarse grit to prevent the bulb becoming waterlogged.
After planting mulch with well rotted manure or garden compost, or leaf mould if available, this should be repeated annually in the spring.
Protect emerging shoots from slugs. (Week 5)
Some taller varieties of lily may require support.
Remove flower heads after flowering.
Lilies resent being disturbed so they should he left for 3-5 years.
They can be lifted and divided in late summer when the foliage has started to die down.
In containers;
Lilies are best potted up in autumn (Week 40-45) although bulbs can be planted as late as spring( Week 5-13)
For effect, plant 3 bulbs into a 200-250mm (8”-10”) pots, ensuring that there is a generous drainage layer of coarse gravel or crocks in the bottom of the pot.
A free draining, lime-free, compost is recommended.
Loam based compost is preferable to peat based composts, they retain moisture better.
Lilies are heavy feeders, so add a slow release fertiliser when planting.
When planting; the bulbs must be at least 75mm (3") apart and 50mm (2") away from the side of the container.
Some varieties root from the base of the bulb, e.g. asiatics whereas others such as longiflorum, produce roots from the stem just above the bulb; for these you may need a deeper pot.
Plant basal rooting lilies at a depth equal to the height of the bulb.
n.b. Follow this procedure for varieties whose habit is unknown
Stem rooting lilies should be planted at a depth roughly two-and-a-half times the height of the bulb.
After potting water well, the compost must be kept moist but never waterlogged.
If the weather is inclement the container may be stored in a cold frame, cold greenhouse or by plunging the pot in the soil.
Otherwise, put them into position where the tub/pot is shaded, to avoid the roots becoming overheated.
Aftercare;
In some parts of the UK it may be necessary to protect against frost.
In the colder areas protect the pots with bubble polythene.
Protect emerging shoots from slugs.
If forcing, bring indoors when the first flower buds show colour and place in a sunny position.
When in growth; water freely and apply a high-potassium liquid feed every two weeks.
The flowers will last longer if the roots are cool, it is important that they are frequently watered when in flower.
After flowering, deadhead and liquid feed.
Container grown lilies usually need annual re-potting to ensure prolific flowering the following year.
This should be done around Week 46
Alternatively; as the stems begin to wither transfer bulbs to the garden, to do this; knock the root balls, and remove the old stem/s and roots.
In larger containers lilies can be grown on for a second season, but ensure that the top 50mm (2”) of compost is replaced with fresh compost
Propagation;
Most lilies increase vegetatively by producing bulb offsets, if greater quantities are required these can be split from the parent plant and replanted.
To further increase quantities there are other techniques that can be used to speed up this process, e.g. scaling, bulbils and / or seed.
Scaling;
Almost all lilies can be increased by breaking scales from healthy bulbs and encouraging them to produce a crop of plantlets in a cold frame or greenhouse.
If you only want a few extra plants, scrape away the soil from the base of the stems so that the bulb is exposed.
alternatively; when re-potting or moving established plants detach a few scales for propagating.
Week 13; Insert scales almost to the tips in pans or trays filled with sandy compost.
When the leaves are 75-100mm (3”-4”) long, pot up singly into 75mm (3”) pots and grow on in a cold frame.
The following spring plant them out into a nursery bed to mature to flowering size.
The following spring after that plant out into their final quarters.
Bulbils;
Week 39; Certain varieties can be readily increased by means of tiny bulbs (bulbils) that develop in the leaf axils.
Week 40; Ripe bulbils part readily from the stems and should be 'sown' in well-drained compost.
Space them about 25mm (1”) on the surface of the compost until there are signs of rooting then cover with 12mm (½”) of compost.
Week 42; When the seed leaf is 75-100mm (3”-4”) long, pot them up singly into 75mm (3”) pots and grow on in a cold frame.
The following spring plant them out into a nursery bed to mature to flowering size.
The following spring after that plant out into their final quarters.
Seed;
Lilium raised from seed will not come true to the parent plant, which can potentially result in some exciting new plants. They will generally take three years to produce flowering-sized bulbs.
Collect seed when the pods which follow the flowers have ripened and started to split.
Week 34; Sow the ripe seed immediately seed compost, top-dress the compost with coarse grit, water in thoroughly, add a dated label, and place in a cold frame to germinate.
Seed may take up to 18 months to germinate.
Alternatively delay the sowings to the following spring.
Regal lilies require a different technique; this is known as the ‘Folder technique’
Collect seed when the pods have ripened and started to split, then sow directly onto a tray of seed compost, cover with coarse grit, and place in a cold frame.
Week 13; Sow commercial seed at least 5mm apart on a piece of kitchen towel then moisten the paper lightly with a hand spray.
Fold the kitchen towel in half and place it in a polythene zip bag and place in a position out of direct sunlight and at a temperature of 20°C (68°F).
Check daily for results
Signs of germination will become apparent when the roots will become visible through the plastic cover.
The seedlings should be allowed to develop for around two weeks.
Transfer the chitted seed into a tray of seed compost and cover with fine grit or sandy compost.
Place in cool greenhouse or coldframe to grow on
Ensure they do not dry out by misting the surface of the compost regularly.
Do not disturb the seedlings until they are of a size that can be transplanted into 70mm (3") pots.
It will probably take up to three years for the bulbs to reach flowering size
Grow the seedlings on in the seed tray for the whole season and place in a frost-free environment over winter
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