How to store seed lily bulbs? Master these key points

Due to crop rotation scheduling, the harvest period and sowing period of lilies do not coincide. Lily bulbs kept for seed must be stored for 30 to 50 days after harvesting before they can be sown. To prevent damage from pests and diseases, and spoilage and deterioration during storage, the following key points should be observed when storing seed lily bulbs:

First, harvest on a sunny day around End of Heat (Chushu, in August).

Second, the lilies used for storage as seed must be fully mature, with low moisture content, free of disease and pests, and undamaged. When collecting the bulbs and loading them into baskets, remove the stems, clean off all soil, trim off the fibrous roots, handle gently, grade and load into baskets, and shade them promptly, transport them back indoors, and prevent exposure to sunlight in the field, so as to avoid the outer scales turning red and drying out, which degrades quality and affects the germination rate.

Third, select seed bulbs that have plump mother bulbs, uniform size, pure white color, tightly clasped scales, robust roots, a flat and round top, intact bud openings, no disease or pest damage, no off odor, no rotten scales, many thick and strong lower roots, and clear division of offsets (each seed bulb has three or four daughter bulbs) for use as seed. Bulbs without roots should not be kept for seed use.

Fourth, treat the seed bulbs with chemicals. Soak the bulbs in a 500-fold dilution of chlorothalonil and a 1500-fold dilution of dicofol emulsifiable concentrate for 20 to 30 minutes, then let them dry before storing. For the storage location, follow the principles of "dry, ventilated, shaded, and light-blocking." Choose a spacious room and fumigate it once with 0.3% formalin and potassium permanganate. Never place the seed bulbs on a cement floor.

Fifth, use the heap storage method. Spread a layer of clean loam soil 7 cm thick on the ground (soil that holds together when squeezed in the hand and crumbles when released) or dry fine river sand. Generally, three or four layers can be stacked. For the first layer, place the bulbs with roots facing down, arranged neatly, then cover with a layer of soil or sand about 4 cm thick. Place another layer of lilies on top with roots facing up, then cover with another layer of soil or sand, and so on. The thickness of the soil or sand cover should be such that no lilies are exposed. Seal the surroundings tightly with soil or sand. They can be stored until the following spring. During the storage of lilies, hang a hygrothermograph in the storage room to control temperature and humidity and improve ventilation. Check once every 20 to 30 days, and avoid turning them over too often. If any necrotic or rotten lily seed bulbs are found, remove them promptly.