Planting lilies - tips and tricks

Lilies are magnificent flowers, they have been cultivated since ancient times. As a result of many years and active selection, a huge number of varieties and hybrids of these flowers appeared. By origin and biological characteristics, diverse varieties and hybrids are divided into nine groups. Asiatic hybrids are widespread in Russia: they are the most unpretentious and grow well and blossom even in the northern gardens.

Selection of planting material

When purchasing planting material, it is necessary to clarify which group belongs to a particular lily variety. Each group meets certain requirements for agrotechnics and methods of cultivation (planting of lilies, care, flowering time, storage). If it is not possible to determine whether a planting material belongs to a group, it is better to refuse to purchase it. Purchased in advance bulbs of lilies, which must be restrained for several days, should be stored in a cool and dark place and shifted by wet moss, sawdust, sand.

Preparing the bulbs for planting

The success of the florist depends on the quality of the planting material. Therefore, the selection of bulbs of lilies, the planting of which is planned, should be thorough. Bulbs should be healthy, their bottoms should not be damaged. If rusty and brown spots are visible on the scales, they must be removed, also the faded roots should be removed and the cut too long. Before planting, it is recommended to treat the bulbs with a 10% solution of carbofos (one tablespoon per ten liters of water) or 0.2% solution of fondosol, or in 0.1% potassium permanganate solution. In solution, the bulbs are kept for no more than half an hour. Beneficial to the development of the plant is the use of an insecticide.

Planting time

Planting of lilies is possible in spring and autumn: in any case plants take root. Experienced growers still consider early autumn to be the most favorable period for planting works. Warm fall bulbs manage to settle down, with early frosts they require shelter.

Spring planting of lilies is done early, while the young stems do not stretch. Otherwise, they may break during landing.

Choosing a place for lilies

Lilies love the sun, but they do not necessarily have constant sunlight, they develop well and bloom in the penumbra. The plot under the flower bed is chosen to be flat and quite large. The flowers should be spacious, they should not interfere with each other. Usually lilies are transplanted and planted once in five years, this also needs to be foreseen. If flowers are transplanted more often, then full, lush bloom can not wait. Under new plantings it is better to choose a completely new site on which lilies did not grow, in order to avoid diseases and pests.

Soil preparation

All varieties and hybrids of lilies are demanding to the soil, but the difficulty is that some of them grow well on alkaline, others need acidic ones. In accordance with this, the land is prepared. Lily, landing which is made in inappropriate soil, sick, withers, blooms badly and, in the end, dies.

Experienced growers form plantations so that the flowers of one group are located side by side, so it is easier to observe the growing conditions. Neutral or weakly acidic soils are best suited for the most common Asian hybrids in our gardens. For this purpose it is recommended to add wood ash to the ground: it fertilizes and disinfects, and neutralizes the soil cover.

The entire site is dug to a depth of at least 35 centimeters. Then organic and mineral fertilizers are introduced, and large river sand is added. The site should be well drained - lilies do not tolerate stagnant moisture.

On the eve, before landing the earth, abundantly watered. In wet weather, watering can be made directly into the landing grooves or holes.

Planting lilies

The distance between plants is determined by the height and power of future colors. Low lilies plant at a distance of ten to fifteen centimeters, large - 25-30 centimeters from each other. In each hole, river sand is poured onto the bottom, an onion is placed on it, roots are spread out, then they are covered with earth.

The depth of planting the bulb depends on its size and soil composition. The bulb is planted to a depth of two or three times its diameter. In a light sandy soil the bulb is planted deeper than in clayey, heavy.

Planting of lilies is completed by watering and mulching the soil. For this, peat, humus or sawdust is used.