Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Off-Season Lily Cultivation Techniques

Lilium is a perennial bulbous flower, and the following points should be noted for its off-season cultivation:

1. Bulb selection. At present, lily bulbs for commercial cultivation in China are mainly imported from the Netherlands. Bulbs with plump scale development, no disease spots or mold, and well-developed roots should be selected for planting. The main varieties suitable for off-season cultivation in the north are: Asiatic hybrids: Brounello (orange-red), Pollyanna (yellow); Oriental hybrids: Siberia (white), Sorbonne (pink); Trumpet hybrids: Whitefox (white). In addition, the selection of bulbs should also take into account many factors such as local planting conditions, growth cycle, and market conditions. In short, a reasonable choice is very important to your economic benefits.

2. Greenhouse requirements. In northern regions, solar greenhouses are used for production. The most suitable light and heat conditions for lilies must be provided according to local actual conditions. The greenhouse should also be equipped with facilities for irrigation, supplemental lighting, and shading. Companies with sufficient resources may use modern automated multi-span greenhouses.

3. Cultivation management

1. Soil preparation. Lilies require loose, breathable soil with high humus content, a pH of 5.5 to 7, and low salt and chloride content. It is best that the previous crop was not a bulbous flower. Disinfect with formaldehyde before sowing. For plots with poor soil permeability, peat, carbonized rice husks, or straw can be added. Oriental lilies are best grown using substrate culture, mixing peat, perlite, vermiculite, carbonized rice husks, etc. in a certain ratio into an artificial substrate, which can avoid pests and diseases, but attention should be paid to adjusting the pH value.

2. Water management. Lilies require slightly acidic water with low salt content, such as natural rainwater. The quality of water management will directly affect lily quality. It is best to use a sprinkler irrigation system when planting lilies. Throughout the entire growth period of lilies, three irrigations are relatively important. The first is to water thoroughly a few days before planting or immediately after planting; the second is before budding; the third is before flower harvesting (before the buds show color). These three waterings should be even, and the soil moisture should be such that it forms a ball when squeezed by hand and breaks apart when dropped. The best time to water is in the morning, because in this way the soil is relatively dry in the evening, which can reduce the occurrence of staphylococcal diseases.

3. Fertilizer management. Lilies do not have very high fertilizer requirements. If soil fertility is poor, apply fully decomposed organic fertilizer such as cow manure once 3 weeks before planting. Lily growth mainly relies on topdressing. When the plants are 15 to 20 cm tall, apply urea once, and at the same time spray KNO3 twice on the leaves. In addition, apply urea and KNO3 once before budding and before flower harvesting, and combine this with two foliar sprays of KH2PO4 liquid fertilizer.