When is it better to plant lilies, grow and care for them in the open field

A beautiful perennial flower from the Liliaceae family - the lily - is known to all gardeners. Unusual flowers have gained popularity due to the variety of species and colors. Growing lilies in your country house in the open field allows you to diversify the landscape and complement the flower arrangements of flower beds. In order for lilies to please with friendly flowering, it is necessary to choose the right variety and adhere to agricultural techniques.

Description and characteristics

Lily is a perennial garden plant capable of forming lush thickets.The variety of species, varieties and colors can make your head spin. In landscape design, as a rule, several varieties are used in beautiful combinations at once. It is believed that lilies are a whimsical flower, this is not entirely true, with systematic care, proper planting, the cultivation of these delicate plants becomes an exciting activity and does not require large physical costs.

Main Features:

• Refers to perennial bulbous plants.
• The bulbs are composed of scales and can reach a diameter of up to 30 centimeters, depending on the species, sprouts are formed in the spring.
• The height of the plant varies from 20 centimeters to 2.5 meters.
• The stem is thick, erect.
• The flowers are arranged in inflorescences.
• The stamens stand out brilliantly in the flower.
• The flower consists of 6 petals.

Note: In ancient Rome, white lilies were a symbol of the highest spirituality, nobility and purity.

In Russia, Asian varieties are most often grown; they are adapted to the growing conditions of various regions of our country. Flowers are ideal for cutting and decorating bouquets, they are an elegant addition to flower beds.

Main groups and varieties

There is a general classification in the world according to the types of various types of lily plants and growing regions. There are 9 groups in total.

Asian

The biggest group. Asiatic lilies have good winter hardiness and good immunity, they do not require care. A distinction is made between dwarf varieties and giant varieties. Asians breed easily, they do not smell during flowering.

Curly

Uncommon species due to breeding and breeding difficulties. Young onions are formed in a small number of adult plants.The shape of the inflorescence outwardly resembles a candelabra with large graceful drooping flowers. Curly species can reach up to 1.5 meters in height. They prefer shady places, in landscape design they are used to decorate the area of ​​artificial reservoirs.

snow White

Representatives of this group are distinguished by the presence of a strong pleasant aroma during flowering. There are about thirty varieties of white lilies. Snow-white lilies require regular care, grow well only in sunny places. They winter poorly, without preventive spraying they are quickly affected by diseases.

American

This group includes about 140 species. These tall plants are distinguished by their original color and the shape of their flowers. They love to grow in the shade. But despite their attractive appearance, they were not widely distributed in Russia, since they have low winter hardiness and do not tolerate transplants well.

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long flower

It is advisable to grow species with long flowers in protected soil, they do not tolerate frost and sudden temperature changes. Representatives of this group got their name from the elongated shape of the flowers, reminiscent of bells. Long-flowered species stand out among their relatives with a strong, rich aroma.

Tubular

Tubular hybrids are not widely used in our country. Plants are demanding on the soil, grow in soil with a slightly alkaline reaction. Winter hardiness is low, tubular species reproduce poorly.

Orientals

The second name of the group is oriental lily; some of the finest large-flowered representatives of the species are collected here.Oriental flowers bloom early and have a long flowering period. Average winter hardiness, easy to reproduce.

Interspecific hybrids

Lilies obtained by crossing representatives of different groups. They belong to hybrid varieties.

Natural species

Flowers created by nature. Based on the original representatives of the species, new varieties are created and garden lilies are bred. Breeders improve the shape of the buds, the characteristics of the plant and create new colors of the inflorescences.

How to plant in the ground

In family plots, lilies are most often grown in unprotected soil. It is important here to choose the right variety for the planting region. There are varieties that prefer to grow in the shade or, conversely, on flat southern slopes.

Selection and preparation of planting material

In most cases, lilies are acquired in bulbs. It is important to pay attention to the planting material. The bulb must meet the following characteristics:

• Be free of signs of mold and rot.
• The tuber should not be overdried.
• The bulb should be firm, free of dents or damage.

They buy seeds from certified seed companies or multiply the plants themselves.

Before planting the bulbs in the ground, it is necessary to disinfect them with a solution of potassium permanganate or brilliant green, it is advisable to plant the sprouted bulbs, completely immersing them in the ground.

How to choose a seat?

Choosing a place to plant lilies depends primarily on the variety. Some lilies like to grow in sunny areas, others need partial shade. The second important indicator is the height of the plant.In order for the flowers to look harmonious in the common flower beds, they take care that the plants do not interfere with each other. Lilies are often planted as hedges or containment plants. The landing is practiced on alpine slides and in the form of "islands" on the lawn.

How to properly prepare the soil?

Bushes can grow in one place for more than 5 years, replanting plants is often not recommended. Therefore, soil preparation should be taken seriously. The soil should be loose and fertile, drainage should be installed at the bottom of the planting pit, sand can be used for this purpose. All weeds must be removed. In poor soils, it is important to add humus mixed with sand and wood ash. The floor is disinfected with boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate.

optimal time

Lily bulbs can be planted in fall or spring. Spring planting is practiced for oriental and tubular hybrids. Asiatic lilies can be planted in spring and autumn. When planting in autumn, it should be taken into account that there should be at least a month before the onset of frosts, the bulbs should have time to s 'root.

Landing scheme

The distance between the bulbs is determined according to the height and type of plant. Plants can be planted in rows or staggered, depending on the gardener's imagination. Row spacing should be at least 50 centimeters. It is important to consider that many varieties of lilies grow quickly, and the next year one flowering stem will turn into three.

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The planting depth of the selected bulbs should be 15 centimeters.The rhizome is completely submerged in the ground. There should be at least 3 centimeters from the top of the bulb to ground level.

Rules of care

Asian lilies are unpretentious, but even if they need systematic care: the plants need to be watered, additional nutrition should be added to the soil in the form of top dressing, the soil should be loosened and mulched. In the spring, it is important to carry out a preventive treatment of the plantations against insect pests.

top dresser

The best food for lilies is a balanced liquid complex. It is necessary to support the plants during important growing seasons: at the time of bud break, immediately after flowering.

Potassium and phosphorus are essential trace elements that stimulate the lush flowering of graceful flowers. In the spring, organic matter is introduced: rotten manure mixed with sand.

watering

An important rule is that lilies should not be "flooded", watering should be moderate, otherwise the risk of bulb rot is high. During the flowering period, you need to water the plants less often, after which the amount of irrigation is increased.

Soil mulching

Lilies need to periodically dig, loosen, remove weeds and mulch the soil with a mixture of humus and sand. To balance the moisture in the soil, the bushes are often sprinkled with pine sawdust.

pest control

A pest attack is a nuisance that needs to be dealt with in a short time. Otherwise, the leaves, buds and tubers of the lilies can be damaged.

beetle lily

This pest can be seen with the naked eye. Beetles appear on the bushes, painted bright red. People call this insect a firefighter or a squealer. This parasite is small (up to 1 centimeter long) and feeds on plant leaves.It is safe for humans, does not smell and is not toxic.

You can manually remove firefighters from plantations. With strong spread, it is recommended to apply insecticides: "Fufanon", "Kinmiks", "Inta-Vir". Among folk remedies, an infusion of wormwood is often used. They need to spray the infected plants abundantly. The pungent smell will scare away the lily beetle for a long time.

lily fly

The appearance of the pest is similar to the parameters of an ordinary gray fly. The length of the insect's body does not exceed 1 centimeter. The lily fly itself does not harm the plants, the larvae that hatch in the buds pose a danger to the flowers. Lilies begin to lag behind in growth, holes form on the petals, buds turn yellow and fall off.

Garter belt

In order for the lilies to retain their "slenderness", the stems do not bend or deform, it is recommended to tie the plants during the period of bud burst. A peg is placed next to the plant, to which a flowering stem is attached. The distance between the ankle and the root should be about 10 centimeters.

Cut and burn stems after vegetation

After flowering, in order to preserve the beautiful appearance of the plantings, it is recommended to prune the flowering stems, remove the pegs and yellow leaves. The collected biological material is burned.

Shelter for the winter

Most varieties of Asian species hibernate without shelter. It is recommended to cover the most delicate and demanding species for the winter. To do this, the tops are cut, the bushes are dug up and covered with humus. Above the plant, you can cover it with spruce branches, straw or use a special agrofiber.

When can you prune after flowering?

The formation of pods on the flowering stems signals that the lilies can be pruned and stored. About a month after pruning, the lilies are ready for an autumn transplant and the division of the bush into young bulbs.

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How to transplant in the spring?

In spring, lilies are transplanted immediately after the last snowmelt. The bush is dug into the ground and the bulbs are separated. Fertilizers are applied to the planting holes and humus is added. Pay attention to the ability of the variety to tolerate transplanting. There are varieties that are not recommended for replanting. Lilies can grow in one place for more than 4 years.

Which varieties can be replanted in summer?

Early flowering varieties can be replanted in the summer, in July-August. These include lilies of the Snow White group and Candidum lily varieties. In the middle of the summer period, these plants enter a period of dormancy, transplanting is not stressful for them.

Transplant in autumn, after flowering

It is recommended to transplant lilies in the fall a month before the onset of the first frost. September, early October is the best time to dig lily bushes.

After flowering, about a month should pass, the flowers should become stronger and reach a dormant stage so that the transplant is painless for them.

Breeding methods

Most lily varieties are easy to propagate. The main cultivation methods are bulbs, scales and seeds.

Seeds

A laborious, long-term method of breeding lilies. After flowering, it is necessary to wait for the process of maturation of the pods. The fruit should become dry and brown. Don't wait for the pod to open.Often gardeners tie the fruits with gauze so that the seeds do not fall to the ground.

Important! Lily seeds should not be taken from hybrid varieties. Cultivated plants lose their set of parental qualities and characteristics.

Harvested seeds are sown in seedling boxes on prepared soil in early February. In April, the sprouts dive into separate pots, in May they are transplanted into the open ground. These flowers will bloom no earlier than the second year. When growing plants from seeds, it is important to properly organize the collection, storage and preparation of seeds for planting.

Balance

The lily bulb is made up of scales. Almost all varieties of these plants can be crossed with scales. The advantage of the method is that the mother bulb is preserved, a large number of new plants are formed from the scales. You can plant lilies this way all year round. The scales are detached from the main bulb and placed in peat buckets or immediately in ready-made beds. Lily bulbs should form from them.

Bulbs

The most affordable way. The bush is dug up in the 4th year of life and the formed bulbs are separated. The disadvantage of this method is that not all types of flowers can be propagated in this way. Bulbs are propagated by the Eastern and Asian groups.

Characteristics of culture after distillation

After distillation, the flowers must be cared for. Plants are loosened, weeds are removed and liquid mineral fertilizer is applied. In the first year of life, plants may not bloom, but in any case it is important to carry out preventive spraying against pests in early spring.For the formation of a healthy root system, plantings are watered with humus and "Kornevin".

Combinations with other colors

Lilies are best combined with irises, daylilies, hosts, peonies, junipers. They are planted as “islands” on the lawn. For unique landings, varieties of tigers are used. Asian species are planted in groups of different varieties and color variations.

When planting in common flower beds, it is important to divide the plants in tiers so that the flowers look harmonious and do not shade each other.

Use in site design

Lilies are an addition to flower beds in the landscape of personal plots, are used to decorate areas of artificial reservoirs and are planted as barrier plants. Some varieties are used for planting alpine slides. Flowers are often grown in greenhouses exclusively for cutting.