how to plant lily

whinb_diana_ma · Aug 27, 2008

i love lily, i think it is wonderful plant and very useful.its bulb can be eaten and flower can happy us but i am in particular interested in how to plant it.what in hand is only bulb, it can be breeded lily?how to do it?

Marley Farley · Aug 27, 2008

Hi WdM, which lily bulbs are you talking about, as I know only certain types of lily bulbs are edible... Are you wanting to grow in containers or your garden... I am puzzled do you want to grow them for food or the plants..??:confused:

whinb_diana_ma · Aug 28, 2008

hi Marley, i want to grow them in container first, when i have had the experience, i will grow them in my small garden next year. i will upload the picture of the bulb for reference, you know i love this plant but never grow it by myself. for the bulb, i heard it can be edible, but i have no idea of what kind of bulb or which bulb can be edible, do you have any idea for this? thanks so much

Marley Farley · Aug 28, 2008

:thumb: They are beautiful flowers & I love their scent.. Afraid I grow them more for the scent than anything else.!:D Here is a link that gives you some information about edible Lily bulbs.. http://www.pfaf.org/leaflets/ediborn.php

:thumb: I grow some in containers & some in the ground.. Both ways pretty successful, but if in pots they need feeding & watering well & you need to be sure they do not dry out completely in winter.. I just put mine in a sheltered spot outside..! Apart fron slugs & snails they are attacked buy the Lily Beetle... A BIG PEST, you will need to spray for them otherwise they will decimate your plant & get into the bulbs & destroy them..!!!! I use Provado a systemic so it goes into the plants..

This is pretty much the steps I follow in growing in containers...

RHS Help & Advice

Growing lilies in pots

Most lilies grow well in pots, although taller types require support. Among the more suitable species are Lilium auratum, L. formosanum, L. longiflorum and L. speciosum. Short-growing (60cm/2ft) Asiatic hybrids (â??Apolloâ?? and Cote Dâ??Azurâ??, for example) and the â??Pixieâ?? series (50cm/20in) are also suitable.
Planting density and compost

Plant single large bulbs (10-12cm/4-5in diameter) in 20-23cm (8-9in) pots, and three to four smaller bulbs (5-8cm/2-3in diameter) in 23-25cm (9-10in) pots. Allow 5cm (2in) between bulbs and use only deep pots.
Use John Innes Compost No 3, with the addition of 20% by volume each of horticultural grit and ericaceous compost or leafmould is suitable for most lilies, except lime-haters such as L. auratum and L. speciosum. They are heavy feeders, so add a controlled-release fertiliser when planting.
Time and planting

Ideally plant in early autumn, although bulbs can be planted until spring. Place a 5cm (2in) layer of drainage material, such as crocks or small stones, in the pot base before beginning to fill with compost.
Some lilies root from the base of the bulb, such as the Asiatic hybrids, while others, including L. formosanum, L. lancifolium and L. longiflorum, also produce roots from the stem, just above the bulb; for these you may need a deeper pot. Plant basal-rooting lilies (or those whose habit is unknown) at a depth equal to the height of the bulb. Place stem-rooting lilies at a depth roughly two-and-a-half times the height of
the bulb. Allow 5cm between bulbs.
Planting step-by-step
Temperature and watering

Keep pots in a cool but frost-free, airy place with strong light, such as a well-ventilated cold greenhouse or frame. Ensure the compost moist at all times, but not wet. To force plants move to 18-21ÂºC when shoots appear. When in growth water freely. Lilies are gross feeders, so use a high potassium tomato feed every fortnight during summer. Re-pot in autumn.
Aftercare

As the stems begin to wither repot or transfer bulbs to the garden. In larger containers lilies can be grown on for a second season, but ensure that the top 5cm of compost is replaced with fresh compost.
In southern England many lilies will be fully hardy and can be left outside in larger pots year round. It may, however, be necessary to wrap the pots in winter with bubble polythene in cold areas to protect against frost.
Click to expand...

I hope that is of some help to you.. T&M also do a double Lily with no pollen... The pollen by the way is deadly to cats..!!!! I just pull the pollen laden stamens off my flowers to avoid this happening..!! This is good as it also lengthens the time the bloom lasts too..!!! Good Luck..!!:thumb::D

whinb_diana_ma · Aug 28, 2008

Hi Marley,
thanks and it is really a great help.i will be tracking your experience and grow it in container.
by the way is there any special requirement for the feeding?

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how to plant lily

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Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

whinb_diana_ma Apprentice Gardener

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whinb_diana_ma Apprentice Gardener

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how to plant lily

whinb_diana_ma Apprentice Gardener

Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

whinb_diana_ma Apprentice Gardener

Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

whinb_diana_ma Apprentice Gardener

When to plant lily bulbs?

Solved Plant identification please!- Phlox and Schizostylis or Kaffir lily

Hemerocallis (daylily) - what can I plant with them?

Recommendations for climbing plants on South facing wall

Perennial pea plants

Share This Page

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