Home Cultivation Methods and Care Tips for Lilies
Scientific name: Lilium brownii var. viridulum
Origin and distribution: The lily is native to the eastern and central regions of our country.
Habits: Fairly cold-tolerant, fond of strong light, not tolerant of shade. Insufficient light will affect growth and flowering. It prefers well-drained sandy loam rich in organic matter. Its disease resistance is poor, and it is prone to disease in hot, humid environments.
Main species and varieties: According to leaf arrangement and flower shape characteristics, it is divided into 4 groups:
1. Lily Group: This group is characterized by scattered leaves, trumpet-shaped or bell-shaped flowers, and tepals that curve outward at the tip; most bear white flowers, and some species have light pink or light yellow-green flowers. Species belonging to this group include: Regal lily L. regale (king lily, Chiba lily), Easter lily L. longiflorum (iron cannon lily, Easter lily), and lily L. brownii var. viridulum (wild lily, Hakata lily).
2. Bell-flower Group: The characteristic is scattered leaves; very few are whorled, such as L. paradoxum. Flowers are bell-shaped, with tepal tips that do not curve or curve only slightly. Species belonging to this group include: L. concolor (morningstar lily), L. dauricum (Xing'an lily), L. nanum, and L. bakerianum (Yunnan lily).
3. Curled-tepal Group: Leaves are scattered. Flowers are not trumpet-shaped or bell-shaped, tepals are recurved or not recurved, and the upper ends of the stamens often spread outward. Species belonging to this group include: L. lancifolium (Nanjing lily, tiger lily, tiger cub lily), L. speciosum (showy lily, fawn lily), L. henryi (Henry's lily, flower lily), L. pumilum (fine-leaved lily), L. taliense, L. fargesii, L. callosum, and L. wardlii.
4. Whorled-leaf Group: Leaves are whorled. Flowers are not trumpet-shaped or bell-shaped, tepals are recurved or not recurved, and spotted. Species classified in this group include: L. tsingtauense (Laoshan lily).
Propagation: Commonly propagated by small bulbs, and can also be propagated by scales and bulbils. The time required to reach flowering is 2 years for small bulbs and 3 years for scales and bulbils.
Cultivation: For ground planting, choose loose soil with good drainage and water retention and a well-ventilated site, and avoid continuous cropping. Plant in autumn, with a planting depth about 3 times the height of the bulb. During the growing period, pay attention to loosening the soil and weeding. Apply fertilizer once each in early spring growth and at the bud stage, with a small amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer added. In hot, dry summer weather, provide appropriate watering. Keep the soil moist during the flowering period, and reduce water after flowering. In autumn the plant withers; dig out the bulbs and replant them or store them to promote sprouting for indoor forcing cultivation.
Pests and diseases: Mainly black spot, gray mold, and fusarium wilt. Before the disease occurs, regularly spray 25% carbendazim 300 times dilution. The main insect pests are white grubs and nematodes, which can be controlled by drenching with 90% trichlorfon technical material 1500 times dilution.
Application: Lily plants are upright and elegant, with large, brightly colored flowers and many varieties. They are suitable for planting in patches or clumps at the edges of lawns or for forming flower borders, creating a quiet and harmonious effect. Lilies are also treasures for potted flowers and cut flowers.