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Experts recommend pruning lilies after flowering for the winter, taking into account the terrain and climate of the region in which they are grown. If the area is with severe weather conditions, then they begin to prepare plants for cold weather from the end of summer, and when the flower beds are in the southern regions, it is advised to wait with this procedure. If the grower does everything right, then the plant will be able to accumulate enough strength and in the next season will give a lot of lush and beautiful buds.
The signal for pruning lilies for the winter is the yellowing of the bushes.
Are lilies pruned after flowering for the winter
Due to a number of reasons, lilies must be pruned after flowering. First, freeing the perennial from the aerial part helps it stay healthy. Secondly, after pruning a flower for the winter, it retains its decorative effect. Thirdly, by removing the stems of the lily, its cold resistance is increased, and it tolerates frost better. Fourthly, pruning a bush for the winter serves as a preventive measure against fungal diseases. Fifthly, the procedure helps the culture to tolerate the transplant more easily.
However, you should not rush into the event. Be sure to give the perennial time so that it has time to accumulate enough nutrients that will help it grow faster in the spring. In addition, after flowering, babies are formed at the mother lily bulb, and if the plant is cut ahead of time, their viability will sharply decrease, and the development process will stop.
In the event that for some reason it was not possible to remove the stems for the winter, they will begin to rot under the influence of low temperature and high humidity and become a source of pests and diseases.
Pruning lilies for the winter is considered a very important agricultural event.
When to cut lilies in the fall for the winter
Having learned that it is recommended to prune lilies after flowering, gardeners often wonder when to start this event. Immediately after the end of the budding period, this should not be done, since the procedure will have a bad effect on the health of the plant, since its vegetation has not yet ended at that time.
Despite the fact that bare stems give the flower bed an untidy look, it is at this moment that they are actively involved in the processing of solar energy and help the bulb accumulate nutrients. The leaf blades also receive vital substances through the process of photosynthesis, thereby ensuring the maturation of the heads and preparing them for the winter period.
Choosing the right time for cutting the stems of a plant, first of all, flower growers are guided by the weather forecast and the climatic regions where the crop grows. The period allotted for the event is from the last days of August to the second half of October.
The first time pruning of lilies for the winter is carried out after all the petals have fallen from the buds. At the same time, only seed pods are cut, leaving green stems. They do this so that the seeds do not take away energy and strength from the plant. The second time they start work after the shoots and leaves turn brown or dry, usually this moment comes before a moderate cold snap, about a month after the last bud has faded. During such pruning, the bush is cut to a height of about 10-15 cm.
Also, before carrying out the procedure, the vagaries of the weather should be taken into account. For example, if the summer is rainy and cloudy, the lilies will be reluctant to bloom, but when the heat comes by the end of summer or autumn, the buds will begin to be actively laid. In this scenario, with the condition that in the coming days, according to forecasts, warm weather will be observed, pruning can be postponed.
A complete removal of the aerial part of lilies after flowering is carried out only when they have prepared for winter.
When to prune lilies in the fall in the suburbs
In the capital of Our Country and the regions of the Moscow region, the climate is relatively favorable, so they start cutting lilies there in the fall, around the end of September, and in warm weather, in early October.
When to prune lilies for the winter in Siberia
In the northern regions, including Siberia, after flowering, lilies are cut for the winter, starting from the first days of autumn. This period is dictated by the harsh climate, as well as crop varieties. The fact is that only Asian hybrids are able to grow in cold conditions, which, despite beautiful and lush buds, bloom for a short period. Already at the end of July, the bushes do not look aesthetically pleasing, their leaves dry out, and the stems become bare.
When to cut lilies for the winter in the Urals
In the Urals, as well as in the Far East, the climate is harsh and similar to the conditions of Siberia, which is why Asiatic lilies are also mainly cultivated there. And since they are characterized by early flowering, they should be cut off for the winter in early September. Then it is desirable to cover the flower beds with special material or spruce branches.
Also, when pruning lilies after flowering, natural anomalies should be taken into account. For example, if the summer is too hot in the northern region, the budding period will increase and continue until the second half of September. But then colds or even frosts will come sharply, which will provoke rotting of unopened buds. In this case, so that the bulbs do not deteriorate, pruning is carried out a little earlier.
In the northern regions, tubular lily hybrids have proven themselves well.
When to prune lilies in autumn in the Leningrad Region
In the city of St. Petersburg and its region, the climatic conditions are peculiar, which is why it is recommended to plant lilies of such varieties that can easily tolerate high humidity, low temperatures and even slight night frosts. Of course, such varieties begin to bloom later than traditional species, but their stems do not dry for a long time and remain green even in September. Pruning of these varieties for the winter after flowering is usually performed in the period from 1 to 15 October.
When to prune lilies after flowering in the South
In the Stavropol, Krasnodar Territories and other southern regions, it is recommended to cut the perennial after flowering closer to mid-autumn. But since there, in addition to ordinary lilies, it is possible to grow whimsical and most delicate varieties that bloom from late spring until October, it is advisable to take into account crop varieties in addition to weather conditions when carrying out work. For example, in the case when the petals of the buds fell off in August, the aerial part should be cut off at the end of September, and if the flower has retained its decorative effect until the beginning of autumn, it is better to postpone the event until October.
How to prune lilies for the winter
In order for the pruning of the lily after flowering to bring the desired effect, it is important to do it correctly. To do this, choose a clear, not rainy day, since wet weather during work can cause the death of all material. Also, sharp tools are used for cutting, even if the stem is dry and easily broken.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Before starting work, the knife or secateurs are treated with a disinfectant.
- Trim the aerial part obliquely, leaving a stump of a maximum of 15 cm in height.
- Sprinkle the cut with ash if warm weather is predicted in the coming week.
- Take the cut stems out of the area and burn them.
In the case when the flower is cut for a bouquet, you should choose a bush with a large bulb and at least five buds. In this case, it is recommended to cut the stem slightly below its middle part so that the plant recovers faster.
Even a bare, but outwardly healthy stem is not pruned until the appropriate time.
Further Care
After the pruning of the lily for the winter is completed, the plant needs to organize special care. The most important rule is, regardless of the perennial variety, stop moisturizing it. It is recommended to do so so that the flower does not rot. For the same purpose, in the event of heavy rainfall, especially caring gardeners cover the flower beds with a film, but at the same time ventilate them daily. Also, after the pruning process, the plants are treated with fungicides such as Homa or Fitosporin, this procedure is also carried out on neighboring beds where other crops grow. In regions with a harsh climate, lilies are covered with artificial materials or spruce branches for the winter, and if, after pruning, the bulbs are dug up and placed in containers with sand, they are fed with compost.
Conclusion
It is mandatory to cut lilies after flowering for the winter, but it is recommended to select the time for the procedure taking into account the region where the culture grows. This event helps the bulbs to remain intact and contributes to their lush flowering next year. If you prune perennials for the winter as recommended by the rules, their chances of enduring frost well increase significantly.
