The lily, scientific name (Lilium brownii var. viridulum Baker), also known as Qiangshu, Fanjiu, Shandan, Daoxian, Chongmai, Zhongting, Moluo, Chongxiang, Zhongfenghua, Baihesuan, Dashifusuan, Suannaoshu, Yehehua, etc., is a perennial herbaceous bulbous plant of the genus Lilium (scientific name: Lilium) in the family Liliaceae. It is native to China and mainly distributed in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including eastern Asia, Europe, and North America. At least 120 varieties have been found worldwide, of which 55 are native to China. In recent years, many new varieties have been produced through artificial hybridization, such as Asiatic lilies, fragrant lilies, and fire lilies. The bulb is rich in starch, edible, and also used medicinally.
Cultivation Techniques
Site Selection and Land Preparation
Sandy loam soil that is fertile, on high, well-drained terrain, and loose in texture should be selected for cultivation. The previous crop should preferably be beans, melons, or vegetables. Apply 3000-4000 kg of organic fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer (or 100 kg of compound fertilizer). Apply 50-60 kg of lime per mu (or 0.6 kg of 50% diazinon) for soil disinfection. Prepare the land carefully, make raised beds, cultivate with wide rows, and slightly mound the middle of the bed surface to facilitate drainage after rain. Yixing in Jiangsu, Shaoyang in Hunan, the banks of the Jing River in Gansu, and Xinyang in Henan all use raised beds. The bed surface width is about 3.5 m, the ditch width is 30-40 cm, and the depth is 40-50 cm to facilitate drainage; in hilly areas, slopes, and places with low groundwater levels and smooth drainage, flat beds may be used. The bed surface width is 1-3.5 m, and between two beds a drainage ditch 20-25 cm wide and 10-15 cm deep is dug.
Fertilizer preparation work should also be done well: prepare 2000-2500 kg of decomposed barn manure, 200 kg of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer, 1500-2000 kg of soil and miscellaneous ash fertilizer, and 250 kg of human feces and urine per mu. The latter three should be mixed evenly and composted and fermented for more than 30 days.
Field Management
Early-Stage Management
In winter, choose sunny days for intertillage, sun the topsoil, and preserve soil moisture and temperature. Before emergence in spring, loosen the soil and hoe weeds to raise soil temperature and promote early seedling growth; cover with straw to preserve moisture. Eliminate weeds and prevent heavy rain erosion, and do not let the topsoil become compacted. In summer, prevent rot caused by high temperatures; when it turns cool, maintain warmth again, prevent frost damage, and apply seedling-promoting fertilizer to promote lily growth. Generally, from sowing to emergence, carry out intertillage 2-3 times. In the mid-growth period, loosen the soil another 2-3 times to loosen the soil, remove weeds, and combine with earthing up to prevent the bulbs from being exposed.
Mid- and Late-Stage Management
First, clear ditches and drain water. Lilies are most afraid of waterlogging, so ditches should be cleared and drained frequently, ensuring that soil standing water dries up after the rain stops.
Second, top the plants at the right time. When lilies sprout in spring, one strong bud should be retained and the rest removed to avoid splitting of the bulb. Around Xiaoman, when the seedlings grow to 27-33 cm in height, promptly remove the growing tips to control aboveground growth and concentrate nutrients to promote underground bulb growth. For varieties with bulbils, if they are not intended for propagation by bulbils, they should be promptly removed around Mangzhong, combined with summer flower removal, to reduce nutrient consumption by the bulb. The most suitable timing is: when the flower buds turn from upright to drooping, and the color changes from fully green to pinkish red on the sun-facing side. The time is June.
Third, control nitrogen fertilizer application after topping. This promotes rapid enlargement of the young bulbs. Around Xiazhi, promptly remove bulbils and clear the ditches and beds to reduce field temperature and humidity. Remove flowers and top the plants.
Topdressing
The first is steady application of winter fertilizer. In January, before Lichun, when lily seedlings have not yet emerged, apply about 1000 kg of human feces and urine per mu in combination with intertillage to promote root development and strengthen roots. The second is heavy application of seedling-strengthening fertilizer. In early April, when lily seedlings are 10-20 cm tall, apply 500 kg of human and animal manure water, 150-250 kg of fermented and decomposed cake fertilizer, and 10-15 kg of compound fertilizer per mu to promote strong seedlings. The third is moderate application of leaf-strengthening fertilizer. After Xiaoman, in early to mid-June, after flowering and topping, apply 15 kg of urea and 10 kg of potassium fertilizer per mu to promote bulb scale enlargement. At the same time, spray 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the leaves. Note that this topdressing must be completed 40-50 days before harvesting. After the winter vegetables intercropped in autumn are harvested, apply manure once in combination with loosening the soil; after emergence in spring, apply manure 1-2 times according to seedling condition to promote early growth and strong seedlings. Generally, each time apply 30-40 loads of dilute human feces water and 10-15 kg of phosphate fertilizer per mu.