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It is no secret that flower growers who are not indifferent to lilies acquire new varieties, wanting to grow these unique and delightful flowers in a flower bed. Planting new varieties is an exciting event that evokes only positive emotions from the anticipation of enjoying the divine beauty.
And sometimes, even with all the norms and rules of planting, plants get sick or grow slowly. But it is in luxurious flowering that the whole point of growing flowers lies. Lilies need to be fertilized without fail. It’s just necessary to know in advance when, how and with what to feed the lilies in the spring so that they delight with lush flowering and heady aroma.
Feeding lilies during planting
Proper planting of lilies involves not just choosing a suitable place and planting bulbs. First of all, it is necessary to add to the soil substances that plants need for growth and flowering. After all, they will have to grow in one place for several years without a transplant. The composition of the soil during this period is significantly depleted. And over time, plants already lack minerals and nutrients.
The first feeding of lilies in the spring is carried out during the planting process. For successful rooting and active growth of green mass, flowers are fertilized with organic top dressing. The only exception is fresh, unrotted manure, which is often the cause of fungal diseases and the death of bulbs.
In the process of preparing the soil for planting, compost or humus is added in the amount of 7-8 kg and double superphosphate 100 grams per 1 m². They love lilies and wood ash very much, therefore, if possible, add 100 grams of ash per 1 m², and they will thank you not only with abundant and luxurious flowering. Ash increases frost resistance and resistance of plants to many diseases.
In the absence of organic matter, you can feed the lilies with any mineral fertilizers. The main thing is that the following elements are present in the composition:
- nitrogen;
- potassium;
- phosphorus.
Fertilizers are applied in accordance with the recommendations for use indicated on the package.
It is possible to exclude the first feeding of lilies during planting only if the soil is fertile and abundantly enriched with humus. An excess of nutrients is as undesirable as a deficiency.
How to feed lilies before flowering
In early spring, all plants need nitrogen. They need this element for the active growth of stems and foliage. The lack of nitrogen affects both the appearance of flowers and their resistance to diseases.
The first feeding of lilies can be carried out in early spring, during the period of active snow melting. Urea or ammonium nitrate in granules is scattered over the flower bed. The norm is 2 tbsp. l. fertilizer per 1 m².
This method of feeding is only suitable if the flower garden is not located under a slope, and melt water does not flow from it. In this case, all the nutrients will be washed away by melting snow or rain. Therefore, such areas are fertilized only after the snow has completely melted, the soil begins to dry out, and the first long-awaited green lily leaves appear from under the ground.
It is desirable to introduce all top dressings in liquid form, since the process of assimilation of nutrients occurs several times faster than when fertilizing with granules. You can feed lilies in the spring for active growth with mullein infusion or a solution of urea diluted with water in a ratio of 1 tbsp. l. to a bucket of water. Water the flower garden at the rate of 10 liters of solution per 1 m².
Feeding lilies in spring for flowering
The second feeding of lilies for flowering is carried out in the spring, not less than 2-3 weeks after the first. In the process of caring for lilies in the garden, it is important to remember that organic and mineral fertilizers must be alternated.
Nitrogen top dressing flowers can be fertilized in the spring no more than two times. The last time you can feed lilies in May, before the plant enters the budding phase. As soon as the first ovaries of buds appear, top dressing must be changed.
How to feed lilies during the budding period
During the budding period, lilies are fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. They affect the number and size of buds, the brightness of the color of flowers and the duration of flowering. Nitroammophoska (Azofoska), or any other complex fertilizer, is perfect.
It is desirable to introduce this top dressing in liquid form for better digestibility and quick action. Nitroammophoska is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 tbsp. on a bucket. This volume is designed for watering 1 m².
Flowers also respond well to foliar feeding. The main thing is to adhere to the dosage and administration rules indicated on the package.
There are many top dressings designed to fertilize bulbous flowers. They are a source of balanced and well-chosen elements that plants need during different growing seasons. It is important to choose the right ones that are designed to feed lilies during the budding period.
The second summer top dressing is introduced during the lush flowering of lilies in order to prolong this wonderful period. Complex fertilizers containing trace elements are introduced into the soil in liquid form in accordance with the recommendations of manufacturers.
It is advisable during the summer season to once add wood ash to the soil at the rate of 100 g per 1 m², which is combined with any summer top dressing.
Secrets of autumn feeding lilies
In autumn, after abundant flowering, lilies also need to be fed. The plant devoted a lot of energy to the formation of buds, and it is extremely important during this period to help the flowers make up for the nutrient deficiency and fully prepare for the winter.
Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers will help increase the winter hardiness of the bulbs and provide the plants with the necessary elements. The first feeding of lilies is carried out in early autumn in the process of caring for plants. In water with a volume of 10 liters, it is necessary to dilute:
- double superphosphate – 1 tbsp. l.
- potassium magnesia – 1,5 tbsp. l.
Keep in mind that superphosphates do not dissolve well in cold water, so the water needs to be slightly warmed up to prepare the nutrient solution. The watering rate is 1 bucket per 1 m².
The second autumn dressing can be combined with lily care activities. In the process of preparing plants for winter, the soil in the flower garden is loosened, renewed or a mulch layer is laid. Mulch will not only help the bulbs survive the winter frosts, but also serve as a kind of fertilizer for the next season. The minimum thickness of the mulching layer should be at least 10-12 cm.
The author of the video will tell you about what you can feed lilies for lush flowering.
Conclusion
Information on how and what to feed lilies in spring, summer and autumn is of paramount importance for those who decide to grow them. After all, in order for these luxurious flowers to decorate the backyard with their inimitable beauty, it is important to comply with the norms and terms of feeding. As you can see, this event does not take much time, but the riot of colors and flowers delights throughout the season.