Lilium

The genus Lilium unites about 80 species and a large number of hybrids, which are used mainly as flowers for cutting and potted plants, and they are planted in flower beds. Perennial bulbous plants. The bulbs are concentric, shell like, and consist of succulent, unclosed scales. The roots extending from the donets are perennial (some species also develop annuals). The stems are straight and deciduous. Large flowers have a wide range of colors, with specks, spots, stripes, sometimes have an intense aroma. They are formed by 6 large perianth leaves, which stand out very well stamens, often also bright. The shape of the flowers is very different: in some species, the flowers look like twisted rolls, in others - funnel - shaped, in others-star-shaped. The leaves are usually linear and can be lanceolate.

The genus Lilium unites about 80 species and a large number of hybrids, which are used mainly as flowers for cutting and potted plants, and they are planted in flower beds. Perennial bulbous plants. The bulbs are concentric, shell like, and consist of succulent, unclosed scales. The roots extending from the donets are perennial (some species also develop annuals). The stems are straight and deciduous. Large flowers have a wide range of colors, with specks, spots, stripes, sometimes have an intense aroma. They are formed by 6 large perianth leaves, which stand out very well stamens, often also bright. The shape of the flowers is very different: in some species, the flowers look like twisted rolls, in others - funnel - shaped, in others-star-shaped. The leaves are usually linear and can be lanceolate.

Cultivation

Lilies are grown only in gardens and terraces, preferably without transplanting for the first 3 years. Plant bulbs in the ground to a depth of at least 10 cm, in autumn or spring. The size of plants, the number and size of flowers depend on the diameter of the bulb, which can reach up to 24 cm. If you are going to cultivate a lily in a pot, in autumn the bulbs should be planted in vessels that match the size of the bulbs: for example, in a 20-cm pot, you can plant an onion with a maximum diameter of 14 cm. After transplanting lilies into a new container, they should be kept for about 2 weeks in a cool place. this promotes root growth; then they are moved to a dark, well-ventilated area. With the appearance of the first shoots, the plant is brought to light. If you want to get large bulbs, completely cut off the flowers along with the peduncles, which will appear after 2-3 months, at a time when the buds have not yet opened, but you can already consider the future color of the flowers. This operation provokes the appearance of many leaves on the stem and prevents the formation of seeds. Lilies require well-prepared, well-drained, light, organic-rich soil (such as peat, fertile land, pine needles, beech leaves) and periodic fertilization. To protect the bulbs from late frosts at the beginning of each spring, you can mulch the soil using rotted manure, compost or foliage for this purpose.

Lilies are grown only in gardens and terraces, preferably without transplanting for the first 3 years. Plant bulbs in the ground to a depth of at least 10 cm, in autumn or spring. The size of plants, the number and size of flowers depend on the diameter of the bulb, which can reach up to 24 cm. If you are going to cultivate a lily in a pot, in autumn the bulbs should be planted in vessels that match the size of the bulbs: for example, in a 20-cm pot, you can plant an onion with a maximum diameter of 14 cm. After transplanting lilies into a new container, they should be kept for about 2 weeks in a cool place. this promotes root growth; then they are moved to a dark, well-ventilated area. With the appearance of the first shoots, the plant is brought to light. If you want to get large bulbs, completely cut off the flowers along with the peduncles, which will appear after 2-3 months, at a time when the buds have not yet opened, but you can already consider the future color of the flowers. This operation provokes the appearance of many leaves on the stem and prevents the formation of seeds.

Lilies require well-prepared, well-drained, light, organic-rich soil (such as peat, fertile land, pine needles, beech leaves) and periodic fertilization. To protect the bulbs from late frosts at the beginning of each spring, you can mulch the soil using rotted manure, compost or foliage for this purpose.

Location

Lilies need a slightly shaded area. The whole plant is content with shade and coolness, and flowers can successfully develop in the sun.

Temperature

Lilies - plants that come from a temperate climate zone, are afraid of both extreme cold and suffocating heat. Ideally, the temperature should be in the range of 20-22 °C during the day and 18-19 °C at night with good lighting and sufficient humidity.

Watering

During the growth period, lilies are watered abundantly, making sure that the bulbs do not rot. But in any case, the soil must be constantly maintained in a moist state.

Transplant

After flowering, the lilies are transplanted into a new pot. You can plant them in the open air. Before transplanting, plants are kept in a shaded place so that the aboveground part of it, but not the bulb, dries up.

Reproduction

You can propagate with scales that cover the bulb. Most lilies are easily propagated by daughter bulbs that form next to the main one or in the axils of the leaves. Well, the fastest way is to divide the bush.

Diseases

The main danger is represented by some viral infections that provoke the appearance of "panicles" (transformation of shoots occurs), leaf deformation, mosaic and prevent flowering. It is absolutely impossible to fight these diseases, and if the plant is affected, all that remains is to throw it away, and as soon as possible, before the virus also affects other specimens. Fungal infections are treated with fungicides: it is necessary to monitor whether the pathogen Botrytis elliptica has appeared, which causes the appearance of grayish spots on the leaves and their drying, falling flowers and leaf deformation. Damage to Fusarium oxysporum causes the scales to separate from the bulb, damage the leaves and fall of the flowers. Erwinia carotovora causes rotting bulbs, accompanied by an unpleasant smell. Therefore, pay special attention to these symptoms when buying bulbs. Thrips, mites and nematodes are dangerous pests for lilies. You can get rid of them with the help of appropriate medications.

The main danger is represented by some viral infections that provoke the appearance of "panicles" (transformation of shoots occurs), leaf deformation, mosaic and prevent flowering. It is absolutely impossible to fight these diseases, and if the plant is affected, all that remains is to throw it away, and as soon as possible, before the virus also affects other specimens.

Fungal infections are treated with fungicides: it is necessary to monitor whether the pathogen Botrytis elliptica has appeared, which causes the appearance of grayish spots on the leaves and their drying, falling flowers and leaf deformation. Damage to Fusarium oxysporum causes the scales to separate from the bulb, damage the leaves and fall of the flowers. Erwinia carotovora causes rotting bulbs, accompanied by an unpleasant smell. Therefore, pay special attention to these symptoms when buying bulbs. Thrips, mites and nematodes are dangerous pests for lilies. You can get rid of them with the help of appropriate medications.

Acquisition

Choose large, well-formed bulbs. Store them in peat or wet sawdust, which prevents wrinkling. When buying potted plants, the flowers should be closed, but the buds already show the future color of the flowers.

Hybrid lilies Numerous hybrid lilies of garden origin are grouped according to the International Classification into nine sections. 1.     Asian hybrids derived from species of Asian origin. The section combines erect lilies with single flowers collected in panicles or umbrellas, blooming in June or July. Asian hybrids make up 36% of the global range and can be grown in any well-drained soil. 2.     Curly hybrids obtained from the species Lilium martagon are characterized by easy rooting of the stems, drooping flowers bloom in June-July. 3.     Snow-white hybrids obtained from the snow-white lily (L. candidum) and other European species, including L. martagon. They grow well in any soil in a sunny place. The flowers are usually drooping and fragrant, blooming in July-August. 4.     American hybrids derived from Western and Eastern American wild-growing species. These are easy-to grow rhizomatous lilies. It includes many garden forms and varieties. 5.     Long-flowered hybrids-from crossing the long-flowered lily (L. longiforum) and the beautiful lily L. formosanum. Flowering time is from May to September. 6.     Tubular hybrids include forms and varieties obtained from Asian tubular species: royal lily (L. regale), white-flowered lily (L. leucanthum), etc. They grow well in fertile, well-drained soil. The flowers are funnel-shaped (in umbels), spherical (in racemes), drooping or stellate. Blooms in July or August. 7.     Oriental hybrids originating from the golden lily (L. auratum), Japanese lily (L. japonicum), etc. Grow in protected ground. Flowers are cup-shaped, funnel-shaped, star-shaped, and also with bent perianth lobes, flowering from May to September. 8.     Various hybrids that were not included in the previous sections and are not of practical interest. 9.     All known types of lilies.

Hybrid lilies

Numerous hybrid lilies of garden origin are grouped according to the International Classification into nine sections.

1.     Asian hybrids derived from species of Asian origin. The section combines erect lilies with single flowers collected in panicles or umbrellas, blooming in June or July. Asian hybrids make up 36% of the global range and can be grown in any well-drained soil.

2.     Curly hybrids obtained from the species Lilium martagon are characterized by easy rooting of the stems, drooping flowers bloom in June-July.

3.     Snow-white hybrids obtained from the snow-white lily (L. candidum) and other European species, including L. martagon. They grow well in any soil in a sunny place. The flowers are usually drooping and fragrant, blooming in July-August.

4.     American hybrids derived from Western and Eastern American wild-growing species. These are easy-to grow rhizomatous lilies. It includes many garden forms and varieties.

5.     Long-flowered hybrids-from crossing the long-flowered lily (L. longiforum) and the beautiful lily L. formosanum. Flowering time is from May to September.

6.     Tubular hybrids include forms and varieties obtained from Asian tubular species: royal lily (L. regale), white-flowered lily (L. leucanthum), etc. They grow well in fertile, well-drained soil. The flowers are funnel-shaped (in umbels), spherical (in racemes), drooping or stellate. Blooms in July or August.

7.     Oriental hybrids originating from the golden lily (L. auratum), Japanese lily (L. japonicum), etc. Grow in protected ground. Flowers are cup-shaped, funnel-shaped, star-shaped, and also with bent perianth lobes, flowering from May to September.

8.     Various hybrids that were not included in the previous sections and are not of practical interest.

9.     All known types of lilies.