How and when to plant lilies

The incomparable, regal beauty lily conquers the hearts of flower growers. Every year the range of varieties grows, new varieties appear, striking in size, color and shape of flowers.

It is not difficult to grow this luxurious plant that decorates home gardens throughout the season. In order for this symbol of sophistication, beauty and grace to please as long as possible, it is necessary to follow certain rules for planting and caring for lilies in the open field.

When to plant lilies in spring in open ground

You can plant lily bulbs not only in spring, but also in early autumn. However, at the end of summer, it is very difficult to find high-quality and suitable planting material for planting. Therefore, experienced flower growers plant lilies in the spring, and they prefer to transplant or plant flowers in early autumn, a few weeks after flowering is completed.

It is very difficult to determine with accuracy the timing of planting lilies in the spring. They depend on:

• climatic conditions;
• specific landing region;
• varieties and varieties of flowers.

In the central regions and in the south of Our Country, the bulbs are planted in mid-late April, but in the Siberian region and the Urals, they do not start planting work before mid-May.

The season for planting lilies begins in the spring immediately, when the temperature outside reaches +10˚С +14˚С. It is advisable to complete all work before the dry season begins. In this case, the bulbs will take root and quickly begin to grow.

Flowers planted in the spring have a higher resistance to diseases and sudden changes in temperature, are less affected by pests, bloom more profusely and luxuriously, and the survival rate of the bulbs is much higher compared to autumn planting.

Moreover, the spring planting of lilies allows you to evaluate the result of the work in just 2-3 weeks, when the first green arrows appear above the ground, signaling that the rooting process went well. In addition, bulbs planted in spring do not get wet and do not freeze. When planting in autumn, the risks of freezing are very high.

Depending on the variety and variety of lilies, it is advisable to follow the following recommendations regarding planting dates:

• late-flowering, oriental hybrid varieties should preferably be planted only in spring;
• brindle and Tibetan, as well as varieties that enter the flowering phase in early autumn, can be planted at the end of March, if weather conditions allow;
• Asian, tubular and oriental hybrids can be planted as soon as the snow melts and the earth thaws;
• terry varieties of lilies can be planted in the spring, when the temperature is at least + 10˚С + 12˚С;
• other varieties can be planted in the month of April. At the same time, it is necessary to take care of the plants and protect them during the spring frosts.

It is undesirable to plant the following varieties in the spring:

• candidum;
• Single brotherhood;
• curly;
• Gansena;
• Canadian;
• Sovica.

These varieties are planted in open ground only in autumn.

Before determining when and in what month you can plant lilies, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the information regarding the rules for planting your chosen variety.

Where to plant lilies in the garden

Before planting a lily in the ground in the spring, it is necessary to carry out some preparatory work, which does not take much time.

First of all, before planting flowers, you need to choose the right place where the lilies will feel comfortable. The condition of the plants and the abundance of their flowering in the future will depend on how competently you choose a suitable site for planting lilies in the spring in open ground.

For these regal beauties, it is desirable to take a sunny site, protected from piercing winds. Absolutely not suitable for growing lilies are places with a high occurrence of groundwater, as well as lowlands on which melt water stagnates in spring or rain water in summer.

Prolonged waterlogging of the soil threatens the occurrence of various fungal diseases. The bulbs begin to get wet and rot. In general, flowers lose their resistance to diseases and pests, often get sick, and in winter they often simply freeze out.

If you do not have a suitable place for a flower garden, you can raise the flower beds by 40-50 cm. If you decide to plant lilies in a summer cottage near the house or near the fence, it is better to step back from the buildings by 70-80 cm so that rainwater from the roofs does not fall on your flowers.

Shaded areas next to shrubs or trees are completely unsuitable for planting these beautiful flowers. Lush flowering with a lack of sunlight can not be expected. In the shade, lilies will not show the grace, beauty and elegance that they are capable of. The flowers become small, faded, the plant weakens and eventually loses varietal characteristics.

Nearby plants are also important. Tall and fast growing plants, next to which flowers will regularly experience a lack of nutrients, as well as moisture-loving crops are undesirable neighbors for lilies.

Selection, storage and preparation of planting material

Every grower knows that it depends on the choice and preparation of planting material whether the flowers will delight you and decorate the garden plot.  

When choosing lilies, great attention is paid to the appearance and density of the bulbs. High-quality and full-fledged bulbs should be large, without signs of fungal diseases, mold, rot and damage.

The bottom and roots must be clean. It is undesirable to purchase bulbs that have wet spots, indicating the onset of decay. Bulbs should be elastic to the touch, with fleshy scales.

It is advisable to buy lily bulbs shortly before planting. Planting material purchased in advance, you need to create certain conditions for storage.

Store lily bulbs in air-permeable packaging. Small perforated bags are kept in a dark, cool room with an air temperature not higher than + 4 ° C. A dry, ventilated basement or the bottom shelf of a refrigerator are great for storing lily bulbs until planting.

With long-term storage, even under all conditions, the bulbs germinate quickly. As soon as signs of germination appear, the bulbs must be removed from the package and carefully laid out on a shelf so that the stems do not deform. Lily bulbs with sprouts should be planted in the spring as soon as possible, as they can dry out and die.

If the weather conditions are not conducive to planting, in this case, sprouted bulbs can be planted in containers with a nutrient substrate. Flowers are grown at home, and when the right moment comes, they are planted in open ground.

Lily bulbs, like other planting material, vary in quality and size. Equally important is the manufacturer that supplies them to the market. For example, bulbs exported from Holland are already treated during preparation with various preparations to protect flowers from diseases and insects, and do not need pre-planting treatment.

In the event that the bulbs have been stored for more than two weeks, or if you doubt the quality of the acquired lily bulbs, treat them before planting against damage by various fungi and bacteria.

First of all, rinse the planting material under running water, and then treat it with a pink solution of potassium permanganate or in the Maxim preparation or its analogues for half an hour. It is also possible to process lily bulbs before planting in 0,2% solution of foundationazole for 20-30 minutes.

Dry the treated planting material in a dark, cool, well-ventilated place. The bulbs are now ready for planting. If it is too early to plant lilies, or weather conditions do not allow planting flowers on time, the bulbs can be covered with burlap or other breathable material.

If desired, lily bulbs can be treated a day before planting with epin or other growth stimulants.

The author of the video will share the secrets of preparing planting material with you:

Preparing the soil for planting

Plants belonging to the lily group are quite whimsical to the composition of the soil. They do not grow well and bloom poorly on heavy soil. For good growth and luxurious flowering, they need a loose, fertile, mineral-rich soil that passes moisture well. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare the soil for planting lilies in advance, 1-2 weeks before planting.

Heavy, loamy soils with poor carrying capacity are diluted with sand and humus, humus, or peat. Acidified soil is deoxidized using dolomite flour, fluff or chalk.

The selected area is dug up to a depth of 35-40 cm. During digging, all weeds and roots are carefully selected. The future flower garden is leveled so that there is no stagnation of moisture on it. For a couple of weeks, the prepared area is left alone so that the earth warms up well and is saturated with moisture.

Planting lily bulbs in spring in open ground

Before planting lily bulbs, it is advisable to plan the future flower bed in advance. Low-growing varieties are planted at the edges, and tall ones – in the center, so that the tall ones do not block the sunlight for low plants.

Also, when planning, it is necessary to take into account the size of the planting material. Bulbs of large sizes take root well, and lilies can bloom within a few months after planting. But small specimens are unlikely to bloom this year or flowering will be scarce.

The algorithm for the correct planting of lilies with bulbs in spring is as follows:

• Planting holes are prepared, the depth of which depends on the size of the planting material and the variety of flowers. On average, the depth of the planting hole should be three times the diameter of the bulb.
• At the bottom of the hole, sand is poured with a layer of 2-3 cm, an onion is placed on it, and the hole is gradually filled with earth.
• After planting in the spring, the lily needs abundant watering and subsequent care.

The planting scheme for lilies is as follows:

• tall varieties of lilies are planted no deeper than 15-20 cm in increments of 25-30 cm;
•  undersized – to a depth of 10-12 cm, the minimum distance between flowers will be 15-20 cm;
• small bulbs are planted to a depth of 5-8 cm, and large ones – 15-20, depending on the size of the planting material;
• in heavy soil, lily bulbs are buried no more than 5-10 cm, but in loose soil, bulbs can be planted 4-8 cm deeper.

Before planting lilies in open ground in the spring, pay attention to the recommendations of manufacturers regarding the storage conditions of the bulbs, planting dates and planting patterns.

How to plant lilies in spring with sprouts

The planting pattern for sprouted bulbs is slightly different. Lily bulbs with sprouts are planted a couple of weeks later. It is important that young, fragile shoots do not freeze during spring frosts.

Sprouted lily bulbs are planted no earlier than mid-late May. When preparing planting pits, consider the size of the sprouts. In no case should young shoots be buried in the ground, otherwise they will simply rot.

Bulbs with sprouts are planted in spring in shallow planting holes, leaving sprouts above the ground. In autumn, after flowering, it is advisable to transplant lilies to the prescribed depth so that they do not freeze out in winter.

The author of the video will tell and show you how to plant lilies with sprouts

Rules for competent care of lilies

If someone tells you that lilies are unpretentious, and minimal care is required for them, do not believe it. In order for these inimitable and delightful flowers to decorate your backyard, you need to create suitable conditions for the plants in which they will feel comfortable.

After planting, lilies need care so that the bulbs take root and start growing. For the best result, the following work must be done in a timely manner:

• moderate watering;
• loosening and weeding;
• top dressing;
• pruning after flowering.

Consider all the stages of caring for garden lilies after planting in more detail.

Secrets of competent watering

The first and main step in caring for a lily after planting is moderate and timely watering. Watering the flowers is necessary as the soil dries up. In no case should the plants be flooded, otherwise the bulbs will begin to rot and may die. Also, waterlogging can cause the occurrence and spread of fungal diseases.

It is necessary to water lilies under the root, it is undesirable to irrigate sprouts and shoots. Watering can be combined with the application of fertilizers in liquid or dry form.

If the summer turned out to be dry, you need to water the lilies more often and more abundantly, as the plants weaken with a lack of moisture. Also, the lack of moisture affects the appearance of the plant, the abundance of flowering decreases. The flowers become small, faded and inconspicuous.

After flowering, the plants no longer need abundant moisture, so the rate and regularity of watering is halved.

Weeding and loosening flower beds

Loosening the soil and regular weeding is the key to active growth and abundant flowering of lilies. You need to loosen the soil after each watering or rainfall.

Try not to loosen the ground too deeply, so as not to damage the bulbs and not to hurt the children that form over time. After 1,5-2 months after planting, it is advisable to refuse loosening so as not to damage the stem bulbs.

Try to monitor the flower garden so that the lilies do not overgrow with weeds. Weed the flowers as often as possible. If desired, you can mulch the flower beds to make your work easier and protect the plants.

Timely fertilization

Feeding lilies in the spring is an important step in caring for lilies in the country or in the garden. Fertilizers must be applied in accordance with the recommendations of experienced flower growers.

Nutrient deficiencies will invariably affect flowering. After all, plants belonging to the lily group grow in one place without a transplant for up to 4-5 years. Therefore, your task is to competently and regularly feed the flowers, restoring the balance of minerals and nutrients. You can learn more about how, when and how to feed lilies from the article.

Lily care after flowering

Luxuriously blooming lilies are an unforgettable and delightful sight. Unfortunately, this beauty is short-lived. The buds gradually lose their petals, wither, and in place of the graceful and magnificent flowers, a nondescript stem with gradually fading leaves remains.

Many flower growers make the mistake of pruning lilies immediately after flowering, wanting to give the flower beds a well-groomed appearance, and subsequently lament that the bulbs become weak, are affected by fungal diseases, and often freeze out. In this case, the rules for pruning lilies after flowering are grossly violated.

Do I need to prune lilies after flowering and how to do it right? Immediately after shedding the petals, the inflorescences must be removed. The stems do not need to be cut off immediately. Through the foliage, the plant receives nutrients, and until the leaves begin to turn yellow, the stems cannot be cut. As the foliage turns yellow, the flower stalks are gradually shortened.

Pruning a lily after flowering is a mandatory step in caring for flowers. While the leaves are in a green state, they nourish the bulb, strengthening it and delivering the necessary elements to it. When pruning, cuts are made oblique so that rainwater does not accumulate, but flows down the stem. Straight cuts can cause flower stalks to rot. At a height of 15-20 cm, the stems are left until autumn.

Plants are not pruned only when it is necessary to collect seeds from individual specimens. In this case, the inflorescences are left alone until the seed pods ripen.

Some secrets of growing lilies

In order to protect the lower part of the plant and the bulbs from overheating, medium-sized or undersized flowers or ornamental ground cover plants can be planted next to the lilies.

Perfectly combined with lily hostas, bluebells, marigolds. The latter protect flowers from many insect pests and diseases. Also, next to the lilies, you can plant annual phloxes. Bright, diverse colorful flowers replace each other, decorating the flower beds for a long period.

You can also plant several varieties of lilies nearby. When planting, it is important to take into account the variety, height of the plant and the timing of its flowering. It is possible to plan and plant flowers in such a way that they will bloom one after another, decorating the garden plot for a long time.

How beautiful to plant lilies on the site, photo

As you can see in the photo below, you can plant lilies on the site next to a wide variety of flowering and ornamental plants. The main thing is to follow the following recommendations:

• when planting lilies, correctly select neighbors, measuring the height of the variety and the timing of flowering;
• do not plant moisture-loving plants next to flowers;
• keep in mind that lilies do not bloom for long, which means that long-blooming, ground cover or evergreen plants should become the closest neighbors;
• plants and flowers don’t have to compete with each other for light and nutrients.

The author of the video will share his secrets of planting bulbs with you

Conclusion

Proper care of lilies after planting in open ground is the key to abundant and luxurious flowering. Even a beginner can grow this queen of flowers if he follows the advice and recommendations of experienced gardeners.