Feeding Lilies

Kenneth Hixson khixson@nu-world.com
Tue, 22 Jun 2004 13:18:37 PDT
Dear Members:
John Grimshaw wrote:
>It is my firm belief that lilies should be treated as herbaceous perennials
>and not as 'bulbs' when growing from seed. 
	Some lilies very definitely repond to fertilizer and TLC, but there
are some which are not very tolerant.  I would be very cautious with
L. bolanderi or L. humboldtii, for instance.  Species generally respond
less well than hybrids, as most species have evolved to certain soils and
climates.  Most asiatics, particularly hybrids, love TLC.  Aurelians
(trumpets) 
also respond well, as do modern oriental hybrids.
> Flowers in the second season
>are unusual except in L. formosanum et al., but most trumpet lilies etc will
>flower in the third season quite happily with this regime.
	With a greenhouse available, asiatic hybrids should flower fairly
well in two years.  Aurelians would have an occasional bud.  Orientals
would mostly take another year.
	Fertilizing needs to be applied with the plant's (lilies') growing
cycle.  When the growth starts, regular but light fertilizer gives good
results.  When the plant starts to go dormant, continuing to fertilize
and apply lots of water results in rot.  Half strength fertilizer, applied
in water once a week, probably wouldn't be excessive.  Weakly, weekly is
the motto to remember.
	It might be worth mentioning that when a lily seedling starts growing,
it is a herbaceous perennial, no bulb has formed until reserve nutrients
can be stored.
Ken


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