How to grow lily of the valley? These care methods and precautions you need to know

Lily of the valley, also called windbell grass, grass jade bell, and deer bell, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Convallaria in the asparagus family, native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Wild windbells are also distributed in the northeast and north China regions of our country. Lily of the valley is an excellent potted ornamental flower. Below is an introduction to the growing methods and precautions for lily of the valley.

1. Growth habits of lily of the valley

Lily of the valley likes semi-shaded and moist environments, prefers cool conditions, and avoids hot and dry conditions. It is resistant to severe cold and requires humus-rich loam and sandy loam. It should be noted that lily of the valley and lilac cannot be placed together, otherwise the lilac flowers will quickly wilt. If the lily of the valley is moved away, the lilac will return to normal. It also cannot be placed together with narcissus, otherwise both will suffer.

2. Propagation methods of lily of the valley

Lily of the valley is usually propagated by division, which can be done in spring or autumn, with November being best. Its rhizome has young buds of various sizes. After the aboveground parts wither in autumn, dig up the rhizome, cut off each terminal bud with a section of rhizome, and plant it to form a new plant. When breeding or introducing from distant places, seed propagation can be used, sown in autumn and germinating the following spring.

3. Growing methods for lily of the valley

1. Fertilizer and water

Lily of the valley needs loose, fertile soil with good drainage. Water lily of the valley 1-2 times a day. During the growing period, supplement water as appropriate according to weather conditions and soil. Apply dilute cake fertilizer water or compound liquid fertilizer once every 10-15 days. After each watering and fertilizing, timely cultivate and weed.

2. Light and temperature

After potting lily of the valley, place it in a wind-sheltered spot, water appropriately, and keep it in a dark place. After 10-15 days, gradually move it to a bright place. Keep the growing temperature of lily of the valley at 12-14°C. After 10-15 days, move it to sunlight for care, and raise the room temperature to 20-22°C.

3. Pruning and repotting

After lily of the valley blooms, it is best to cut off the stems and branches early so that nutrients are concentrated in supplying the rhizome. After new buds sprout in early spring, remove the covering and loosen the soil. Repot once a year.

4. Precautions for growing lily of the valley

1. Timely topdressing

Apply fully fermented topdressing to lily of the valley once each in early spring and late autumn. After 10-15 days, gradually move it toward the light, raise the room temperature to 20°C and the bottom temperature to 22°C, and increase watering and topdressing. After 3 weeks, it can bloom. In management, lily of the valley should be given sufficient base fertilizer. After sprouting in spring, water with diluted decomposed cake fertilizer once every 7-10 days. When flower stalks appear, after flowers fade, and in autumn, apply liquid fertilizer once each.

2. Water management

Lily of the valley likes a moist soil environment and cannot tolerate drought. Frequently spray water around the environment to maintain relatively high air humidity. The water used is best soft water. After planting, water thoroughly, and pay attention to watering during dry weather.

3. Pest and disease control

In cultivation areas, no pests or diseases have been found on lily of the valley, so chemical control is generally unnecessary. If brown spot disease occurs, spray with 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 700 times dilution. Lily of the valley grown in greenhouses is prone to pest and disease invasion. Commonly seen are fungal diseases such as stem rot, anthracnose, and leaf spot. Regularly use copper-based fungicides for prevention and control, and strictly prohibit collecting seeds from diseased plants for propagation. Once diseased plants are found, immediately destroy and remove them to prevent spread.

The above is Tuliu.com's introduction to the growing methods and precautions for lily of the valley. It should be noted that the whole plant of lily of the valley is toxic. When growing it at home, take care not to let children and pets come into contact with or accidentally eat it, otherwise it will cause adverse poisoning reactions, often manifested as abdominal pain, vomiting, decreased heart rate, blurred vision, dizziness, skin rash, and so on.