Ok, I need some help please, th elilies gonan be comign here real quick and haven't the foggiest idea of how to plant and grow them. I need to know somebody how to grow them in pots. I have all kind sof sizes, 4" to one gallon to use.
Have no idea how deep to plant, water needs, sun/sade, fertilizer. Another new area for me, so would appreciate any help ya can give me. Oh and do i need to worry abotu critters eatign them too?
How do ya grow the lilies?
Hey star! Lilies are "my thang"!...well, one of 'em, but one of the biggies, LOL!
First off, what kinds do you have coming? Asiatics, Orientals, etc.?
Will these be to sell in bloom (or growing) at the nursery? That will help determine pot size.
They're very easy to grow in containers. They need excellent drainage, and I know you know the importance of keeping things on the dry side, and lilies are not water hogs by any means. Moist, but not wet or soggy. The thing to remember when potting lilies, is they get as many if not more roots above the bulb on the stem as below the bulb. Those are important for giving the stems stability, and that's where you'll often see lots of baby bulbs form. Lilies also like their root systems to be cool, which is extra important in pots. Dark color pots in the sun makes them pout- I learned this first hand last year, LOL. Once I realized how hot the pots were getting, I covered them with straw mulch and they were much happier. White pots would help. In the ground I plant them 8-12" deep, depending on the variety and its ultimate height. In a pot, I think you'd want at least 3-4"of soil above the bulbs, so deep pots would be wise. I think you could put 1-3 per gallon pot, depending on the variety. Thats the size I used for the extras I potted last year.
They like sun, but shade from hot afternoon sun would be a good idea. Many will do well in partial shade, but you'll want potted plants to be sturdy.
Deer and Rabits love lilies. Sometimes I see aphids, but I don't get much in the way of pests otherwise.
gemini,
Your last sentence sums up my entire lily situation! Varmints. I have lost bulbs, plants and even found one Asiatic that was in my front yard....out in the woods! It was snatched shortly after I planted the bulb, and someone must have buried it in the wood to save for later. I found it blooming later in the year. I suspect squirrels. Any advise how to critter proof for these rotten beasties?
Gemini... nto sure what kind they are, got someof the Bonbii and a couple others. Think Diamonds.
I want for both, some for me to enjoy here and some to sell for blooming. But all have to go into pots, especially after this weekend of floods and tonadoes have even mor earea s I see flooded that didn't before so not gona chance puttign them in the ground, til I can get bobcat out here and build things up higher.
Think the bulbs are eithe r 14-16 or 16-18cm. Have 6" green pots and oen gallon black, but have a big section that has shade cloth over it that I keep the tender stuff. Don't know if that would help for the lilies durign the hot afternoon or not.
Well, deer and rodents are tough vermin to fight against sometimes. I've found blood meal helpful in deterring rabbits, and clippings from conifers laying around the sprouts has been helpful in covering and masking the scent from critters. Rodents in general like the bulbs, I've had particular issues with voles in the past- had to use wire baskets when I lived there. Wire baskets, or layers of chicken wire around the bulbs helps protect the bulbs from rodents.
Deer repellents work for some, but not for others. I think it depends on how hungry the deer are in the area. Doesn't sound like you have as much problem with those though.
Star, those that you're keeping, I'd recommend a larger pot to give them room to multiply. In your zone they can be kept outside, in pots year round. Those for sale can be crowded more. Make sure you use the deep 6" pots like they use for Easter lily production. 'Bonbini' is an Oriental-Trumpet hybrid- I'd put 1 per 6" pot. Gallon pots aren't much bigger, so I think 1 per would suite them too. Diamonds is an Oriental, so same for those. Orientals in particular don't like hot sun on their petals, but your shade cloth sounds perfect. I'd position the bulb about in the middle of the pot, giving room for roots above and below.
Gemini..... I just realized. I forgot to ask, abotu how deep do I plant in the one gallon pot and do you pack the dirt tight around the bulb or just pat in like normal.
Also, should I put any fertilizer down in with bottom of bulb or will some top dressing and miracle grow work. Not sure if these thinsg liek to be fertilizered or not.
I'd position the bulb about in the middle of the pot, that would give room above and below the bulb for roots to grow. Light feeding is fine, just a little slow release would be all they'd need. Lilies aren't really heavy feeders, but in containers I like to give them a boost.
Liliums will grow just fine here Ella. They (lilies) like Clematis, they need a cool root zones to perform well so be sure to plant them deep in the garden. How did your formosa lilium seeds turn out for you? I experienced with a few of them and it took a couple years for the seedling to flowers, but it worked. Formosa lilies are more suitable to our hot and humid weather down South. This is one of my un-named Isiatic Lily:
gemini, I am getting about 70 very small lilies in a coop that Starlight had. I have never had them before and I'm not sure how to plant these very tiny ones. I do not plan on refrigerating them unless I have to. I have a greenhouse and Thomasville is warm now. Can I put them in four and six inch pots and later transplant them. I plan on putting them in an area that has dappled shade. Will that work? Thans for answering my questions Elaine
Kamikid, that sounds like a good plan. I've had great luck with most Lilies in dappled shade, Trumpet lilies tend to get too tall and thin stemmed in shade, but the others have done well for me. Refrigeration won't be required, they have most likely been stored through winter in a cooler. The main thing to keep in mind is that the roots should remain cool and shaded, so if your pots are dark in color, be sure to put some mulch over the pots or shade them in some way- black pots get really hot in the sun.
THank you so much. I will keep you advise on hand when I pot them up. I think they will be here by the weekend and I can get them done. I will not use black pots. Most of them will be yellow, green and brown. Elaine
I too have received various lilies through co-op. Most of bulbs are sprouted. My last frost date is between 5/15- 5/31. Would it be best to put the bulbs in the cooler, darker basement (with plastic unwrapped of course) or better if I potted them up for transplanting later. If pot them - still in basement?
Thank you for any advice.
Can't you use black pots and put aluminum foil arround the pot? BEV
Annie, if you have fridg space for them, that would slow the sprouting down the most, but the basement would be helpful if the fridg isn't an option.
dragonfly, anything to shade the pots and keep them cool would do the trick.
Hay Kim, my formosan lillies, (from seed), are doing fine, and bloomed last year.Isn't it fun to do that, and see the results?
Mike
Hi Mike, your lilies bloomed? Wow! A job well done!
Kim