How to Grow Lily: A Comprehensive Guide
How to Grow Lily?
To grow lilies, you can start by selecting the right type for your soil.
Oriental lilies thrive in acidic soil, while Asiatic lilies prefer alkaline soil.
You should plant bulbs in either ericaceous compost for Oriental lilies or peat-free multi-purpose compost for Asiatic lilies.
Choose a sheltered sunny spot and plant the bulbs from October to April, spacing them 15cm apart and three times the depth of their height.
Provide support for taller varieties and protect all types from lily beetles.
Additionally, deadhead spent blooms to conserve energy, except for Martagon lilies, which self-seed.
After flowering, trim back stems and move pot-grown lilies to a shaded spot.
Remember to divide the bulbs after three or four years to propagate them.
Finally, be aware of the red lily beetle as a common pest and the toxic nature of lilies to cats.
Key Points:
- Select the right type of lilies for your soil (Oriental lilies are for acidic soil, Asiatic lilies prefer alkaline soil)
- Plant bulbs in ericaceous compost for Oriental lilies and peat-free multi-purpose compost for Asiatic lilies
- Choose a sheltered sunny spot and plant bulbs from October to April with proper spacing and depth
- Provide support for taller lilies and protect all types from lily beetles
- Deadhead spent blooms, except for Martagon lilies which self-seed
- Trim back stems and move pot-grown lilies to a shaded spot after flowering
Did You Know?
1. In ancient Greece, lilies were considered sacred flowers and were commonly associated with the goddess Hera, who was known as the queen of the gods.
2. Lilies come in various colors such as white, yellow, pink, and orange, but did you know that blue lilies don’t exist naturally? Despite their popularity in art and literature, blue lilies are purely a product of human imagination and creative interpretation.
3. The bulbs of lilies contain a compound called colchicine, which is used in modern medicine to treat certain conditions like gout and familial Mediterranean fever. However, colchicine can be toxic if ingested in large quantities, so it’s important to handle lily bulbs with care.
4. If you’ve ever wondered why lilies have such a strong fragrance, it’s because they produce a chemical called phenylacetaldehyde. This component is responsible for the characteristic sweet and intoxicating scent of lilies.
5. While lilies are known for their beauty and fragrance, not all species are harmless. In fact, some lilies, such as the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), are toxic to cats. Even ingesting tiny amounts of the plant can cause kidney failure in feline pets, so it’s crucial to keep lilies out of reach if you have cats in your household.
Types Of Lilies: Oriental Vs. Asiatic
When it comes to growing lilies, it’s important to understand the different types available. Lilies can be divided into two main categories:
-
Oriental lilies: Known for their large, fragrant pink flowers. They thrive in acidic soil and make a stunning addition to any garden. Popular for their powerful fragrance.
-
Asiatic lilies: Come in a variety of colors and shades. Unlike Oriental lilies, they are not scented but make up for it with their vibrant blooms. These lilies prefer alkaline soil. Provide them with the right growing environment.
Choosing The Right Soil For Your Lilies
The soil composition is vital for the growth and health of your lilies. Oriental lilies require ericaceous compost or acidic soil to maintain the appropriate pH level for their development.
Asiatic lilies, on the other hand, thrive in neutral to alkaline soil or multi-purpose compost. It is essential to provide these lilies with the right balance of nutrients for optimal growth.
If you are unsure about your garden’s soil type, there are two options: testing it with a pH testing kit or consulting a soil expert. These methods will help you determine the best approach to prepare your soil for successful lily growth.
Don’t forget to consider the following tips for successful lily cultivation:
- Use ericaceous compost or acidic soil for Oriental lilies.
- Opt for neutral to alkaline soil or multi-purpose compost for Asiatic lilies.
“The soil is the foundation of a healthy garden.”
Planting And Caring For Lilies
When planting lilies, it’s important to choose a sheltered sunny spot in your garden. Lilies require adequate sunlight to reach their full potential. They should be planted from October to April, ensuring that the bulbs are given enough time to establish themselves before the growing season.
To plant lilies, dig a hole that is three times the depth of the bulb’s height. Space the bulbs about 15cm apart to provide them with enough room to grow. Once planted, lilies should be watered well and provided with regular maintenance.
Taller varieties of lilies may require staking to ensure that they remain upright. Additionally, it is important to protect lilies from lily beetles, which can damage the foliage. Regular vigilance and checking the undersides of leaves for eggs and larvae is the best protection against these pests.
During the flowering season, it is essential to feed tall-growing lilies with tomato feed every two weeks. This will provide them with the necessary nutrients to produce healthy and vibrant blooms. Deadheading spent blooms will help conserve the bulb’s energy and encourage further growth.
After flowering, it is recommended to trim back the stems by removing the top third. However, leave the stems in place until they turn brown. This will provide nutrients to the bulbs for the following season.
For pot-grown lilies, it is advised to move them to a shaded spot after flowering. This will help prevent scorching and maintain their overall health.
Dealing With Lily Beetles
One of the most common pests that affect lilies is the red lily beetle. These beetles can eat away at the foliage, leaving behind black excrement.
It is important to be vigilant and check for eggs and larvae on the undersides of leaves regularly.
If you spot any signs of lily beetles, it’s best to remove them by hand or use organic pest control methods.
This will help protect your lilies from further damage and ensure their healthy growth.
- Be vigilant and check for eggs and larvae regularly.
- Remove lily beetles by hand or use organic pest control methods.
Tips For Propagating Lilies
To propagate lilies, it is recommended to divide them after three or four years. This process helps propagate new plants and rejuvenate the existing ones.
- Lift the lily bulbs carefully
- Divide them into smaller clumps
- Replant them in either the garden or pots.
By dividing the bulbs, you not only propagate new plants but also provide the existing ones with more space to grow. This process is essential to maintain the overall health and vigor of your lilies.
Buying And Selecting Healthy Lilies
When buying lilies, it’s crucial to select healthy plants that are free from any signs of softness, mold, or disease. Inspect the lilies thoroughly before purchasing to ensure that you are bringing home healthy specimens.
Consider the height and spread of the lilies to ensure that they will fit well in your garden. Additionally, take into account the required soil type for the lilies you intend to grow.
You can find lilies at garden centers and nurseries, with a wider variety available at specialist growers. Take your time to browse through the options available and select the lilies that will best suit your garden and preferences.
In conclusion, growing lilies can be a rewarding endeavor if done correctly. Understanding the different types of lilies, choosing the right soil, planting and caring for them, dealing with pests, propagating, and selecting healthy plants are key aspects to ensure successful lily growth.
So, go ahead and embark on your journey to grow lilies and enjoy the sheer beauty they bring.
- Select healthy plants free from softness, mold, or disease.
- Consider the height and spread of the lilies.
- Take into account the required soil type.
- Find lilies at garden centers, nurseries, or specialist growers.
- Choose the lilies that best suit your garden and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lily easy to grow?
Lilies thrive with minimal effort, making them a delight for garden enthusiasts of all levels. With their preference for well-drained soil and ample sunshine, these sun perennials are a breeze to cultivate. Vibrant and attention-grabbing, lily flowers are known for their impressive size, reaching up to 8 inches in diameter. A flourishing display of showy, summer color is guaranteed when these easy-to-grow plants grace your garden.
Can you regrow a lily from a cutting?
Yes, it is possible to regrow a lily from a cutting, but it is important to be cautious with how much of the stem or leaves you remove. When cutting a lily for regrowth, it is recommended to only take one-third of the leaves or less. If too much of the stem or leaves are removed, the lily may not have enough resources to rebuild itself and bloom the following summer. Lily bulbs usually produce only one stem per year, so it is essential to be mindful of the amount that is cut in order to ensure successful regrowth.
Do lilies like full sun?
Lilies thrive in full sun and require a generous amount of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth. With 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight, they can consistently produce beautiful blooms. Insufficient sunlight can cause lily stems to weaken or lean towards the sun, hindering their growth and potentially causing them to topple over. Therefore, it is important to provide them with ample sun exposure to ensure their health and the beauty of their blooms.
Where do lilies grow best?
Lilies thrive in areas with abundant sunlight and require well-draining soil or compost. For optimal growth, it is recommended to plant oriental lilies in acidic soil or ericaceous compost, while Asiatic lilies thrive in neutral to alkaline soil or multi-purpose compost. By providing these favorable conditions, lilies can flourish and showcase their vibrant blooms in gardens, adding beauty and grace to any landscape.