How to Propagate Lily of the Valley? A Detailed Guide to Common Propagation Methods
Lily of the valley, also known as the May lily, has a delicate and elegant plant form and a fresh, pleasant fragrance, and in France it symbolizes purity and everlasting happiness. So how is this flowering plant propagated? Lily of the valley is generally propagated by division or by seed. Division is mostly carried out in spring and autumn, cutting the stem buds into sections for planting. If the plant's buds grow plump and strong, it will usually bloom the following spring after division; propagation by seed is mostly carried out in autumn, sowing the seeds from fully ripe berries.
Lily of the valley is grown both in the ground and in pots. Below, the editor gives a brief introduction:
1. Ground planting
First, choose a good planting site, preferably a shaded hillside facing away from the sun, with soil rich in humus. It can be planted among trees or in grassland.
When planting, deep, fertile soil is best. It is also recommended to change the location and replant every 3-4 years, and it can also be planted in rotation with other flowering plants. When planting, keep the row spacing between 25-20 cm, make sure each lily of the valley has 3-4 buds, then cover with 5-6 cm of soil, and water thoroughly once after planting.
2. Pot planting
For potted lily of the valley, young plants should be selected in November from strong rhizome buds, then stored at 3-5°C for 2-3 weeks before being taken out and potted. Make sure each pot has 4-5 buds, so that the plant will grow abundant flowers and lush leaves in later care and management.
Compared with division, propagation by seed has a longer growth period. Usually it takes 3-4 years from sowing to flowering. Also, keep the potting soil moist at ordinary times, and provide appropriate shading to avoid sunburn, because lily of the valley is a cold-tolerant and shade-tolerant plant. In addition, weed in time. Only by doing a good job of care and management can you harvest the joy of blooming.