How to Grow Lilies: Planting Methods and Timing Explained

Lilies are a flower that many people love. We often see them at engagement or wedding ceremonies in China, because they symbolize a hundred years of harmony. So, how do you grow lilies? When do you plant them? Below, we introduce the planting methods and timing for lilies.

I. Introduction to Lilies!

1. What other names does the lily have?

The lily is also known as Qiangshu, Fanjiu, Shandan, Daoxian, Chongmai, Zhongting, Moluo, Chongxiang, Zhongfeng Hua, Baihe Suan, Dashi Fu Suan, Suannao Shu, Yehe Hua and others. At present, there are at least 120 varieties worldwide, of which 55 originate in China, and in recent years there have been many new hybrid varieties.

2. What does a lily look like?

The lily is a perennial herbaceous bulbous plant of the Liliaceae family. The plant height is 70-150 cm. The flowers are very large, mostly trumpet-shaped or bell-shaped, and the flower color is mostly pure white, though there are also pink, yellow, red, deep yellow, golden yellow, pinkish white and others. It is a prized cut flower variety.

3. Are lilies poisonous?

The lily itself is not poisonous, and lily petals can be steamed as food, cooked in congee, and also used medicinally. They have effects such as providing nutrition and nourishment, calming the heart and soothing the nerves, and moistening the lungs to relieve cough. However, the floral fragrance of the lily is quite strong, and a special substance it releases is similar to a stimulant, which easily excites a person's nerves and can affect sleep. Some people experience nausea and restlessness after smelling it, and it is also unfavorable for people allergic to pollen.

II. How do you grow lilies?

1. Soil

Lilies are not demanding about soil, but they grow better in deep, fertile, loose sandy loam, and heavy clay soil should be avoided. You can mix coconut coir brick soil, perlite and leaf mold in a ratio of 5:2:3, or mix peat soil, leaf mold, perlite and slow-release fertilizer in a ratio of 5:2:2:1 to make the growing medium.

2. Seeds

Lilies can be propagated asexually and sexually. Asexual propagation mainly uses scales, bulbs and bulbils, while sexual propagation mainly uses seeds. Here we mainly introduce bulb propagation. You can buy bulbs yourself, and the bulb quality should be good.

3. Planting

Trim off the rotten roots of the bulbs, then soak them in a carbendazim solution to disinfect. Pour the growing medium into a flowerpot up to the halfway point, and arrange the bulbs and plant them in. Then cover with soil, with the soil thickness being enough to cover the bulbs and add another half of their height. After planting, water thoroughly once, and place in a cool, ventilated place for care. After sprouting, move to a sunny place for care.

4. Management

(1) Temperature: Lilies like cool conditions and are relatively cold-tolerant, but grow poorly in high-temperature areas. It is best to keep the temperature at 16 to 23 degrees. If the winter temperature is too low, move them indoors for care, and do not let it go below 5 degrees, as frost damage easily occurs. If the summer temperature is too high, increase ventilation, and do not let it exceed 30 degrees, as this will cause them to stop growing.

(2) Light: Lilies like a sunny environment. Long periods in the shade will lead to poor flower bud differentiation and affect flowering. However, the midday sun in midsummer is too strong and will scorch the plant, so shade is needed.

(3) Watering: Lilies like dryness and fear waterlogging. Too much soil moisture will cause the bulbs to rot and die, so do not water too much. Keeping the potting soil moist is enough, and do not let water accumulate, so as to avoid root rot.

(4) Fertilizing: The lily root system is thick and well developed, and it is tolerant of fertilizer. Normally, apply a light fertilizer once every half month, and topdress during the flowering period. The fertilizer should mainly be organic fertilizer, and requires sufficient nitrogen nutrition and enough phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.

(5) Pests and diseases: Lily diseases include cottony soft rot, damping-off, viral disease, leaf blight and black stem disease, and insect pests include aphids, scarab larvae and mites. They can be controlled by spraying medicine. Do a good job of disinfection before planting, rotate crops once every 3 years, and in normal times weed, apply PK fertilizer, remove diseased plants and spray medicine, which can effectively control them.

III. When do you plant lilies?

Lilies can be planted in both spring and autumn:

1. Spring: around March, when the temperature is about 15°C. It is neither too hot nor too cold, and the temperature is relatively stable, without rapid rises or drops, which is very suitable for seed germination, because the most suitable germination temperature for lily seeds is 12-15 degrees.

2. Autumn: around August to September, when the temperature is also stable at about 15°C. Just like in spring, the temperature is just right. Planting at this time can increase the germination rate. If growing in pots, the time can be delayed a little, waiting until September to October to plant.

The above is an introduction to the planting methods and timing for lilies. We hope it is useful to everyone!