A Detailed Guide to Edible Lily Cultivation Techniques and Management Key Points

How do you grow edible lilies? Edible lilies are extremely delicious, with no bitter taste at all, and they are also a geographical indication protected product of China. Take a look at this guide to edible lily cultivation techniques.

1. Planting time

Late October to early November, or mid-to-late March of the following year.

2. Planting density

For grade-one seed bulbs, use a plant spacing of 17-20cm and a row spacing of 40cm, leaving 120,000-150,000 plants/hm2, with 3750kg/hm2 of seed bulbs. For grade-two seed bulbs, use a plant spacing of 15-17cm and a row spacing of 35cm, leaving 165,000-180,000 plants/hm2, with 3000kg/hm2 of seed bulbs.

3. Land preparation and fertilization

Before planting in the first year, apply 75000kg/hm2 of decomposed organic fertilizer, 150kg/hm2 of diammonium phosphate, and 300kg/hm2 of superphosphate. In the second and third years, in early spring, combine with intertillage and apply a topdressing of 45000kg/hm2 of decomposed organic fertilizer, spread evenly over the entire surface.

4. Planting depth

Open furrows 15cm deep and cover with 5-10cm of soil.

5. Intertillage and weeding

Generally, intertillage is done 1-2 times per year. The first is carried out immediately in mid-May after all lily seedlings have emerged; in the first year, cultivate to a depth of about 20cm, slightly shallower in the second year, and even shallower in the third year. The second is carried out in mid-July, shallower than the first; in the second and third years, the second intertillage is omitted.

6. Applying topdressing

In mid-to-late May, combine with the first intertillage and apply 225kg/hm2 of urea deeply between the lily rows.

7. Removing flower buds

In early June, when the flower stem extends to 2cm, promptly remove the flower buds.

8. Winter management

Before the soil freezes, promptly clear away residual stems and weeds from the field.

9. Irrigation

In areas with irrigation conditions, winter irrigation can be carried out; if winter irrigation is not done, supplementary irrigation should be carried out promptly in early spring. During the growing season, if there is a long drought, water once or twice.

10. Harvest

Harvest from September to the end of October, or in March of the following year.