Description of the lily plant, secrets for care and planting in the open field, breeding rules, how to protect against diseases and pests during garden cultivation, curious notes, species and varieties.
Lily (Lilium) belongs to an extensive genus, part of the large Liliaceae family. In the genus, scientists have described a little more than 110 species, which mainly grow on the lands of Europe, moreover, most of them are of Asian origin. Moreover, there are only about 6 species on the North American continent. On the territory of Russia, only 16 varieties are found. But, despite such a variety, breeders have bred a large number of hybrids and garden varieties.
| Family name | Liliaceae |
| Growing period | Perennial |
| Vegetation form | Herbaceous |
| Breeding method | Mostly vegetative, but seeds can be sown |
| Landing period | Spring or Autumn |
| Landing rules | Depends on the variety, the depth of the fossa is 15-30 cm |
| Priming | Rich, lightweight with good air and water permeability |
| Soil acidity values, pH | 6, 5-7 - neutral |
| Lighting degree | Well-lit flower bed |
| Humidity parameters | Regular and abundant |
| Special care rules | Watered in the morning and evening |
| Height values | From 50 cm to practically 2.5 m |
| Inflorescences or type of flowers | Cylindrical brush, cone or umbrella |
| Flower color | Wild species are snow-white, but also blue in color, as well as shades of pinkish, orange or apricot. The bred species have a wide variety of tones, they can be multi-colored |
| Flowering period | Different species and varieties have different periods - from June to the third decade of September |
| Decorative time | Summer autumn |
| Application in landscape design | In group or single plantings on flower beds, for decorating mixborders |
| USDA zone | 4 and up |
The plant got its name from the Latin term Lilium, which translates as "pure", "innocent" or "pretty". The ancient Greeks considered the lily, which has a snow-white color of petals, as drops, which are the milk of one of the main goddesses - Hera. The same flower in the Christian religion was a symbol of the Mother of God.
All species are perennial grasses with bulbs covered with fleshy leafy leaves (scales). Such scales have a tiled arrangement. Their color is white, with pinkish or yellowish tint. The diameter of the bulb can be small - only 1 cm, but if lilies grow in natural conditions, then these indicators reach almost 30 cm. The outlines of the bulbs are both spherical and oval. The stem originates from the bottom of the bulb. The shoots are characterized by many leaves, the outlines of the stems are simple, there is a weak branching at the top. The stems of these plants are measured in the range from half a meter to 2.5 m, but this indicator directly depends on the variety or variety. There are such specimens, the leaf plates of which are arranged in a spiral order, while others are characterized by the formation of a leaf rosette in the root zone.
When lily blooms, one inflorescence is formed, made up of buds, the number of which can reach 16 units. Occasionally it happens that the flowering stem bears up to 30 flowers, but then they bloom gradually. The buds begin to open their corollas, moving from the top to the bottom. The shape of the inflorescence is in the form of a cylindrical cone, racemose or umbellate. Each of the flowers in it can stay fresh for 8 days.
The outlines of flowers can be very diverse, but inside the corolla there are always three pairs of stamens and a pistil. In the wild, lilies have petals painted not only in snow-white, but also in blue, and there are also shades of pinkish, orange or apricot. But there are specimens in which the petals have a multi-color range.
The flowering process is different, but basically the buds begin to bloom from June to the third decade of September. In lilies, fruits are formed in mid-autumn, while they have the appearance of a box filled with seeds. Their surface is leathery, their shape is flat, and their color is light brown.
The plant will reward with lush flowering when the gardener does not violate the following growing recommendations.
Secrets for the care and planting of lilies in the open field
- The place where the cultivation is planned should be well-lit, protected from strong gusts of wind and drafts. The proximity of groundwater is not encouraged.
- Soil for lilies loose, with good air and water permeability to the bulbs, and rich in nutrients. Before planting, a month before planting, the flower beds are digged. Peat chips and rotted manure are often added to the soil (mineral accents are possible). Asian hybrids do not like the presence of lime in the soil mixture.
- Planting a lily. Before this operation, all the bulbs are inspected so that they do not have rot, the roots should be 5 cm long. Planting is performed in spring or autumn. The first option is more successful. River sand is placed on the bottom of the dug hole and an onion is placed on it, after which the hole is filled with soil. Then you need abundant watering. The depth of the bulbs touched directly depends on the type and variety of lilies. These parameters can vary within 15-30 cm. Deep planting pushes the beginning of flowering lilies, but promotes the formation of a larger number of children. Before planting the bulbs, they are treated with a fungicidal agent and then kept for about an hour in any rooting stimulator.
- Lily transplant. You can do this without waiting for autumn, but after the plant has bloomed. The bush is removed from the soil with a pitchfork, the root system is thoroughly watered. Then young shoots are separated, which are placed in a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate. After a short time, they are removed and the roots are cut so that their length does not exceed 10 cm. The plant is planted in a new prepared place in the garden. If Asian hybrids are grown, then they change their place every two years.
- Watering for lily required during the period of intensity of its growth. Moistening is done abundantly and regularly, but soil flooding is prohibited. In the summer heat, plants are watered in the morning or evening. In order for the soil to dry out more slowly, you need to mulch it.
- Fertilizers for lilies. For good growth and flowering, the bushes need to be fed. Selected special preparations for bulbous plants, released in granules. Fertilize the lily twice in October with autumn means (without nitrogen - phosphorus-potassium) and in spring, when sprouts appear (with a nitrogen content - for example, nitroammofosk). Lily also responds positively to organic matter, which can act as wood ash, compost.
- Wintering and storage of lilies. Since some types of hybrid species do not tolerate wintering well, it is recommended to dig up the bulbs during this time and store them in a dark and cool place. The bulbs are removed after flowering with the arrival of autumn, cleaned of soil, dried and put in boxes. You should also do if the bulbs were purchased in the store, but the planting time did not come up. The best place would be a ventilated basement or the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. If the lily is left to winter in the ground, then it is recommended to cut the stems in the autumn, leaving 8–18 cm from the ground. After that, the soil is mulched with peat. Florists recommend organizing a shelter made of spruce branches or fallen leaves for successful wintering, but the best option would be a non-woven material - lutrasil or spunbond. With the arrival of spring, when the first shoots become visible, any shelter is removed so that the bulbs do not dry out.
- The use of lilies in landscape design. Usually, these plants love when their top is illuminated by the sun, and the lower part is in shade, in which case overheating of the bulbs is excluded. The best neighbors for lilies will be plants with medium and low heights, for example, bells and flax, daylilies and hosts look good next to them.
Read also the rules for caring for aspidistra at home.
Lily breeding rules
In order to get a new plant, it is possible to adopt both vegetative and seed propagation methods. The first method is divided into 5 groups:
- Reproduction of lilies by dividing the nest of bulbs - the easiest way. Since every year on the bottom of the mother's bulb, babies (young bulbs) are formed, then after 3-4 years they will form a bulbous nest. It has 5-6 bulbs closely spaced. The division is performed with the arrival of autumn or in the spring, until sprouts appear from the ground. After planting, the bulbs need regular watering and fertilization, and only after 3 years will they bloom.
- Reproduction of lilies by children. These young bulbs will form on the part of the stem that is in the soil. In early September, they need to be separated, while the parent bulb remains in the ground. The depth of the children should not exceed 4–5 cm. They are planted on a flower garden for growing. The soil in such a place needs nutritious and light. Only after a couple of years can the grown lilies be moved to a permanent place in the garden. Flowering is expected for 3-4 years from the moment of planting, if the buds appear earlier, they are removed so as not to weaken the plant.
- Lily propagation by bulbous scales. With this method, one onion can produce up to 150 new ones, since the development of young bulbs occurs even on a particle of a scale. These are done in March or autumn when transplanting or digging. The bulb is removed from the soil, washed and the scales are carefully separated - the outer, large sizes will be the best. If you do not separate more than half of the scales, then the parent bulb will remain and it can be planted for cultivation. The resulting flakes are washed and placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes, after which they are dried. Then they are placed in a polyethylene bag and sprinkled with crushed charcoal. Then the bag is tied and kept for a month and a half at a temperature of 22-25 degrees, then a month at a temperature of 17-18 degrees, after which it is placed on the lower shelf of the refrigerator, where the temperature is not higher than 2-4 degrees. When this time expires, the scales are planted in a nutritious light soil, laid in seedling boxes, immersed in the ground at 2/3 of their height. Only with the arrival of May is the transplantation of scales containing onion bulbs to a permanent place in the garden. If the separation of scales from the bulb is carried out in the spring, then planting can be carried out immediately on the flower bed. With this method, flowering is expected 3 years after planting.
- Propagation of lilies by stem bulbs. With this method, the bulbs are obtained pretty soon. However, not all types of lilies on the stems develop kidney-shaped bulbs. Most of the varieties suitable for the production of bulbs are observed among plants belonging to Asian hybrids. The number of buds directly depends on agricultural technology, growing conditions, the age of the plant and its variety, as well as the number of buds formed. The number of bulbs will increase with good cultivation, high air humidity, and this also contributes to the formation of root shoots on them directly on the stem. After the flowering process is completed, the buds are collected, then it will not be difficult to separate them. Then the material is placed in a plastic bag and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. After 14 days, when roots appear on the bulbs, a quick planting is carried out in the garden in order to grow them. At the same time, the soil mixture is selected light and nutritious. For planting, grooves are dug, while the depth of the touch of the bulbs should not exceed 2–3 cm, the distance between them is approximately 5–6 cm. The planting of lily buds is carried out as usual. Only next spring is it possible to transplant plants to a permanent place of growth. The bushes grown in this way will bloom in the 3rd year from the moment of planting.
- Propagation of lilies by cuttings of stems and leaves. This method is used to preserve rare and valuable specimens. Cuttings from the stems are taken before the formation of buds. The length of such a blank will be 7–8 cm. The cuttings are immediately planted in a flowerbed with light soil, where shading is organized. Deepening is carried out at an angle to the upper sheet plates. Watering is carried out in moderation, but regularly. After a month and a half, bulbs will form in the axils of the cuttings. A leaf with a piece of stalk, taken before the lily blossoms, can also act as a cutting. In this case, the workpiece is planted in a seedling box filled with light soil. The container is covered with polyethylene on top. When leaving, you need daily ventilation and light moistening of the soil, if it dries out. When the cuttings take root after 20-30 days, the shelter is removed and transplanted into open ground.
- Seed propagation of lilies. This method is needed for species plants and is the most difficult. The collection of seeds is carried out when the bolls are brown. Sowing is carried out in a container with a peat-sandy substrate. The container is then placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for stratification for a month. After the seeds have germinated, they are planted in pots with similar soil. Flowering of such seedlings can be expected in 5–8 years.
Read also the recommendations for breeding knifofia.
How to protect lilies from diseases and pests in garden cultivation?
For all the beauty of this plant, it can suffer from harmful insects and diseases.
Among the problems caused by pests, damage to the leaves and stems of the lily is observed. Particular harm is caused by:
- Aphid, which scientists have counted up to 15 species, insects suck out nutritious juices and the leaves turn yellow.
- Lily cracker and onion rattle represented by leaf beetles that damage foliage, stems and flowers.
- Bulb mite, affecting the bulbs of similar plants.
- Bulbous hoverfly from which bulbs, both lilies and daylilies, and many bulbous plants also suffer.
- Medvedki, the larvae of which gnaw out the contents of the bulbs.
- Wireworms are the larvae of various click beetles that infect part of the plants in the ground.
Usually, when pests appear, the growth rate of lilies begins to decrease, the foliage turns yellow and lays down, the flowering is weak or does not occur. Then it is necessary to carry out the treatment with insecticidal preparations, among which Fitoverm, Aktara, Aktellik or with a similar composition are distinguished.
If a lily is sick with a viral disease, then the appearance of aphids or thrips becomes the cause of it. Usually carried over tobacco virus or cucumber mosaic, provoking specks or strokes of a whitish tone on foliage and flower petals. In this case, the growth of shoots stops. Treatment with Karbofos is required. At tulip variegation virus the color of the petals becomes heterogeneous from spots or stripes of a different shade. Degeneration of the variety occurs over time. Spraying with Karbofos can be carried out. In any case, with a strong defeat, a specimen must be dug up and burned.
If the rules of agricultural technology are violated, mainly waterlogging of the soil, the occurrence of fungal diseases is inevitable, such as:
- Gray rot covering all parts of the lily, in which round brown specks appear.
- Fusarium, from which the bottom of the onion suffers, and it all falls apart.
- Percospora appears on the tops of leaves, in the form of a whitish or colorless tone, reaching almost the middle of the leaf.
- Anthracnose visible on foliage in dark brown spots.
Treatment with fungicidal preparations such as Fundazol is necessary.
Read also about possible diseases and pests of brodiea
Curious notes about the lily flower and its uses
The properties of the white lily have been known to folk healers since ancient times and there are references to this in the treatises of Ancient Greece and Egypt. But even today, herbalists successfully use this plant as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, it is distinguished by its ability to stop blood and regenerate tissues. Also has expectorant, diuretic properties. It is most often used for cosmetic purposes, providing a charitable effect on the skin.
With the help of tincture of white lily, you can relieve painful manifestations both in the joints and with migraines. Preparations based on this plant are able to block nerve impulses that provoke pain. If the etymology of pain is associated with inflammatory processes, then such drugs relieve swelling and, as a result, eliminate pain.
Even ancient healers noted that preparations based on this representative of the flora can help with diseases of the respiratory system, especially when phlegm (thick and viscous substance) is formed. Even after the first couple of times, when such drugs are taken, relief comes.
If the patient suffers from non-healing wounds, abscesses, ulcers, boils, and also there are burns and frostbite, then products made on a white lily are used. The wounds begin to clear, re-infection is almost impossible, and the process of regeneration of skin tissues is stimulated.
When treatment with such means begins immediately after the wound has appeared, then even if the area of the lesion was large and the depth is significant, then after treatment the skin softens, and the formation of a scar becomes unlikely.
According to information from medical treatises, even advanced otitis media can be treated if a remedy based on a white lily is used. An excellent result is shown by the use of such drugs for atherosclerosis or memory changes associated with age. This is due to the fact that the plant helps to cleanse blood vessels and strengthen them, therefore, changes in them due to aging occur very slowly, the same applies to the supply of blood to brain cells. In case of manifestations of stomatitis, inflammation of both the gums and the throat, it was recommended to use infusions of white lily.
If we talk about cosmetology, preparations based on this plant have the property not only to soften, but also to soothe the skin. They are also able to whiten and have a rejuvenating effect. Therefore, white lily extract is included in many cosmetics (masks, lotions and creams).
Despite all this, there are also contraindications to the use of drugs based on the white lily. These include: allergic reactions, individual intolerance, pregnancy (since the effect on a newborn child has not yet been fully studied).
Attention
There are types of lilies that have a toxic effect on cats licking their pollen, so this fact should be taken into account when planting.
For a long time, the outlines of the flowers of the plant served as a role model for artists, manufacturers of musical instruments, and also its outlines were used in heraldry, while often it was a symbol of royal power.
Description of species and varieties of lilies
Asiatic lilies
or Asian hybrids (Asiatic hybrids), although this group also combined garden varieties: Lily of David (Lilium davidii), Tiger lily (Lilium tigrinum), Lancet lily (Lilium lancifolium) and Dutch lily (Lilium? hollandicum). Such plants are the owners of small-sized bulbs, their growth is normal and it is possible to grow in almost any conditions. They easily tolerate drought or temperature drop. The flowering process begins with the arrival of summer. This includes dwarf plants, the height of the stems of which does not exceed 0.4 cm, but there are species in the group, the parameters of the stems constituting almost a meter. The flower has the shape of a bowl. One bush becomes a lush bouquet during flowering due to the large number of blossoming flowers.
This group includes more than a hundred varieties, and many of them are from Asian territories. They are famous for the greatest beauty:
- Grand Cru pleasing to the eye with flowers of rich yellow clair with a reddish tint.
- Lollipop coffee-tone petals with crimson tops.
- Kansas flowering with bright canary inflorescences.
- Gitana the flower is characterized by golden petals with blood-red tones.
Oriental lilies
or oriental hybrids (Oriental hybrids) obtained by crossing the following varieties of lilies - Golden (Lilium auratum) and Beautiful (Lilium speciosum), as well as Japanese (Lilium japonicum), Reddish (Lilium rubellum) and Noble (Lilium nobilissimum). Here is the division into those with:
- flowers are directed upward with corollas;
- the buds are located on the sides;
- flowers look down.
Among them, it is customary to distinguish:
- Barbados with crimson white petals;
- Time Out with a whitish yellow tint;
- Star Class with beautiful flowers of a white-pinkish color scheme with a yellow undertone;
- Set Point - inflorescences with a whitish pink tint;
- Arena - flowers with a tricolor color.
Curly lilies, Martagon
or Curly hybrid lilies (Martagon hybrids) there are up to 100 varieties. The stems of such plants are elongated, characterized by increased frost resistance. Can be grown in any substrate, the level of lighting does not really matter. But, despite the durability, they did not receive much distribution in gardening. May occur under the names
Curly lily
or Curly saran, they are popularly called Royal curls or Lily of the forest.
Perennials are herbaceous, the height of the stems varies between 30-150 cm. Some specimens reach 2 cm. The diameter of the bulb is 8 cm. Its surface is covered with leaves in the form of fleshy scales of yellow color. The stem is strong, round in cross-section, with a red spotted surface. The median leaves have oblong contours, they form whorls, numbering 5-6 leaf units. Further, the stem has the next lanceolate leaves. Their length is 15 cm and a width of about 5 cm. The edge is smooth.
From drooping flowers, inflorescences are collected in the form of brushes, in which the number of buds is small. The color of the perianth is crimson with dark ink spots. But plants are characterized by a wide variety of colors, ranging from snow-white to almost black. The length of the perianth lobes does not exceed 3-4 cm, they are characterized by a bend from the very base. The anthers of the stamens are also purple in color. The flowering process lasts from June to July. If the location is sunny, then there are almost 20 flowers in one bush. The fruit is a capsule with 6 edges, filled with light or dark brown seeds. The shape of the seeds is rounded triangular.
Snow-white lilies, snow-white hybrids (Candidum hybrids),
the area of growth of which falls on the lands of the East. They include up to 30 varieties. Rest in such species falls in July, then they are usually transplanted. When blooming, which begins in June, a strong pleasant aroma hovers around such plants. The stems are about 1.5 meters in height. The size of the flowers is large, the diameter at full opening of the bud is 10 cm with a length of about 15 cm. Approximately 15 buds can form in the cluster inflorescence.
Lilies LA-hybrids (LA-hybrids),
what is decoded as Longiflorum-Asian-Hybrids. This group is composed of varieties bred relatively recently, characterized by a complex origin. They are obtained by crossing Asiatic lilies and Longiflorum hybrids. The first appearance at exhibitions dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The flowers of such lilies are large in size - from 18 to 25 cm in diameter. They are characterized by a light pleasant aroma.
The petals are quite dense in texture and since they are firmly attached to the receptacle, they can withstand transportation or wind without breaking off. The buds grow both upside down and on the sides. The corolla, when opened, takes a cup-shaped or cup-shaped shape, however, there are plants in which the flowers with their contours resemble a tube or something intermediate between the tube and the cup.
The color of the petals takes on very different shades: white, cream, pink and yellow tones (lemon, apricot, golden) or it can be red, combined and with a speckled pattern. Flowers have the ability to change their color, which is due to the age of the plant. Suitable for both forcing and growing in the open field, used in cutting and as a pot culture.
Among the varieties they enjoy the greatest success:
- Bestseller flaunting with apricot petals;
- Aerobic with flowers of lemon color;
- Royal Club or Royal Club, in which the inflorescences are composed of pinkish-coffee flowers;
- Royal parade or Royal Parade with a rich red tint of petals;
- Sweep or Swing with an apricot tint of flowers.
There are also many more hybrids: American hybrids, Trumpet and Aurelian hybrids, and Longiflorum hybrids.
Video about the cultivation of lilies in the open field:
