Lily storage and preservation methods to keep them fresh longer

Fresh lily is a health vegetable that has become popular in recent years. It is generally harvested from mid-August to early September, and in double-cropping rice areas it is mostly harvested in late July. Timely storage and preservation of lily after harvest can not only regulate market supply and demand, but also significantly increase the @#@136@#@ price and planting benefits of fresh lily. For example, in Xinshao County, Hunan Province, in mid-August 2005 (during the harvest period), the market price was 4.5-5.0 yuan/kg, while after storage and preservation until New Year's Day to Spring Festival the market price was 8.0-10.0 yuan/kg. Calculated at a loss rate of about 15%, storing 1 ton of fresh lily can earn 2300-3000 yuan more. In addition, seed lilies also need to be stored for a period after harvest to avoid sowing in the high-temperature season. The following storage and preservation methods can be selected according to each farmer's own conditions.

1. Indoor sand-soil layering method. Before storage, spread the lily bulbs in a room to air-dry slightly, then choose a cool room or basement for storage. The air-drying time should not be too long, to avoid oxidative browning and rotting. Fumigate the storage site once with 0.3% formaldehyde and potassium permanganate. Then spread a 5-7 cm thick layer of clean garden soil or river sand on the ground, arrange the lily bulbs neatly on it, and finally cover the lilies with a 3-4 cm thick layer of soil or sand. Repeat this process, with the pile generally not exceeding 1.5 m in height. Seal the surroundings tightly with soil or sand, and they can be stored until the following spring. During storage, check once every 20-30 days, but do not turn them over too much. If any deterioration is found, remove the deteriorated bulbs promptly.

2. Container storage method. This method is suitable for storing small batches of lily. Use wooden boxes or bamboo baskets as containers. First spread a 2 cm thick layer of yellow sand on the bottom of the container, then stack them layer by layer with 1 layer of bulbs and 1 layer of yellow sand until 5 cm from the container opening, and cover the top with yellow sand. In this way, they can be stored until the beginning of spring the following year.

3. Pit burial storage method. Choose a cool, moist place (pit storage is not suitable in dry areas) and dig a pit. Generally the pit is 1 m deep, with the cross-section wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, about 2 m wide at the top, and the length depends on the storage quantity. Stand a straw bundle in the center of the pit to facilitate ventilation. After arranging the lilies, cover with a layer of soil. Repeat this with 1 layer of lily and 1 layer of soil, covering with a total of 60-65 cm of soil. The top of the pile should rise above the ground surface and be covered with straw to prevent rainwater from seeping in, with drainage ditches set around it. In the early stage after entering the pit, the temperature tends to rise, so the pit opening must not be completely sealed. In winter, the pit opening must be sealed tightly to strictly prevent the pit temperature from being too low. During storage, frequently check whether the lily bulbs have changed, and there must be no accumulated water at the bottom of the pit.

4. Air-raid shelter storage method. According to the storage quantity, spread a 6-7 cm thick layer of moist yellow mud on the ground, and arrange the bulbs neatly on the soil. Then cover them with a 3-4 cm thick layer of moist yellow mud, and on top of that arrange another layer of lily bulbs, stacking layer by layer in this way up to a height of 1.5 m. The width of the stack should preferably be about 1 m, not too wide, to prevent the temperature inside the stack from getting too high. Seal the surroundings of the stack with soil, with a soil thickness of about 30 cm, so they can be stored until March of the following year. After sealing the stack, close the shelter door properly. During storage, pay attention to inspections to prevent the lilies from rotting.

5. Cellar storage method. ① In plains areas, vertical cellars (also called well-shaped cellars) can be used. Vertical cellars have consistent dryness and moisture, a large storage capacity, a long storage period, and a low rot rate; however, they have poor ventilation and air permeability, are difficult to dig, and require more labor. When digging the cellar, choose a section that is sheltered from wind and facing the sun, with high terrain, a low groundwater table, solid soil layers, and convenient handling for putting in and taking out lilies. The size of the cellar bed should be determined according to the quantity of lilies to be stored. The storage quantity is generally preferably 1500-3000 kg. At the center of the cellar bottom, dig a circular gasification water pool with a diameter of 33 cm and a depth of 16-26 cm, and dig 4-6 water channels around it leading into the pool; in addition, open drainage ditches around the top of the cellar to prevent water accumulation from rain. ② In mountainous and hilly areas, horizontal cellars can be dug. This kind of cellar requires less labor, is easy to dig, is convenient to operate, and has good ventilation and air permeability. Choose a plot of land or mountain area facing south, sheltered from wind and facing the sun, with high and dry terrain, flat ground, solid soil layers, and a low groundwater table to dig the cellar. Generally, 1500-2500 kg are stored in the cellar. To prevent rainwater from soaking in, open a diversion ditch at the cellar opening. If there is loose soil above the cellar, compact and fill it promptly to strictly prevent waterlogging. If an old cellar is used, scrape off a layer of surface soil inside the cellar. When putting lilies in, first spread a layer of moist river sand on the cellar bottom, then lay them layer by layer with 1 layer of lily and 1 layer of clean moist river sand, with a pile height not exceeding 1.5 m, and seal the surroundings tightly with soil or sand. During storage, frequently check the condition of the lilies and promptly remove rotten bulbs.

6. Leave-in-soil storage and preservation method. This method is suitable for use in mountainous areas with higher altitudes. In such areas, early autumn is not hot, the soil drains well without drought, the following crop is idle, and the lily storage time required is not long. The method is: after the aboveground seedlings of the lily dry up, let them remain in the soil, and later dig up as much as needed for market until all are dug up before the freezing arrives. However, in low-altitude areas, due to high temperature and drought in early autumn, leave-in-soil storage is not suitable, otherwise rot is likely to occur.