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