Lilies are bulbous plants that are characterized by a huge variety in terms of color, habit and type of flowers. The proper development of the plant is mainly conditioned by properly carried out planting. How to plant lilies? When should it be done? Planting lilies in the garden step by step.
What do healthy lily bulbs look like?
Since lilies are a bulbous species, before you arrange a suitable position for them, you need to stock up on bulbs. In garden stores, the largest selection of plant bulbs appears in early spring, so it is worth using this period to buy healthy planting material.
Healthy lily bulbs are characterized by tile-shaped, fleshy scales. Unlike bulbs of many other species, lily bulbs do not have dry outer scales. Interestingly, lily bulbs may vary in size (some specimens reach up to 30 cm in diameter) and color, but regardless of the variety selected, they should be firm, without visible damage, dried scales and with an intact root system.
Interestingly, lily bulbs can produce two types of roots. In the store, you can find specimens with roots growing at the bottom, from the heel of the bulb, and those that produce shoot roots above the bulb, albeit on a fragment of the shoot remaining underground.
Planting lilies - position, preparation of the ground
When planning to plant lilies in the garden, it should be taken into account that this is a species that loves sunny, warm and secluded places. Planting the plant in the shade may result in inhibition of its growth and less impressive flowering, and in extreme cases - complete death, although there are varieties that prefer slightly shaded places.
The optimal substrate is a substrate with a high humus content, well-drained and very fertile. Lilia does not like long-term stagnation of water, so avoid places with clay and compact soil. The pH depends on the requirements of a particular variety and ranges from 5.5 to 7.0.
HOW TO PREPARE THE SUBSTRATE FOR GROWING LILIES?
Thoroughly clean the beds where you will plant lilies. Importantly, it should not be limited to removing weeds. Also, try to clear the site as thoroughly as possible from stones, sticks and other plant remains.
The next step is to carefully and deeply dig the ground to a depth of up to several dozen centimeters. This action will improve permeability, fertilize and break up clods of earth that may cause water stagnation.
Too sandy or too heavy clay soil needs to be fertilized. For this purpose, you can use a special potting mix or compost.
If you buy lily bulbs with the root above the bulb, make sure the top layer of the substrate is light and well aerated.
When to plant lilies in the ground?
In the case of lilies, we distinguish two dates for planting into the ground - spring and autumn.
Although lilies in most cases cope with wintering in the ground quite well, and a protection in the form of a mound of leaves or straw is enough to survive, spring planting of lilies is much more often recommended. Mainly due to the high availability of planting material in garden stores, but also due to the lower risk of freezing delicate scales, deprived of external protection.
Spring - frost-resistant varieties can be planted in the ground as early as March. The best time is April and early May.
Autumn - autumn planting should be planned by mid-October at the latest to give the plant the right amount of time to root and strengthen before the onset of winter frosts.
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How to plant lilies? Planting lilies step by step
Before planting, we recommend treating the bulbs with a special fungicide to strengthen them and protect them from diseases and pests.
Dig holes. At the bottom, it is worth pouring a layer of gravel, which will help in drainage of the substrate and compost, which will fertilize it. Cover the prepared bottom with a thin layer of garden soil.
How deep to plant lilies? It is assumed that the depth of the hole should be approximately three times the height of the bulb. Since the material itself varies in size, it will be necessary to adjust the depth of the excavation to the needs of a particular bulb. The spacing of lilies is usually 30 cm.
Place the bulbs in the prepared holes with the heel down and cover with loosened soil.
Gently compact the soil.
Water the newly planted lily bulbs generously. The stream of water should be diffused to avoid rinsing or damaging the bulb.
Regardless of whether you chose spring or autumn, it is recommended to mulch the site after planting. This treatment will protect the bulbs against unfavorable weather conditions, changeable and violent weather and excessive loss of moisture from the substrate. In spring, a 3 cm thick mulch is sufficient, while in autumn an additional protective layer will be necessary. Pine bark, leaves and needles are perfect as mulch. Remove the mulch in the spring, after the winter frosts subside and the weather stabilizes.
If the choice for planting is autumn, check what additional bulbs you can plant in autumn in our article what bulbs to plant in autumn.
Do not forget to mark the place of planting to avoid a situation when after a few weeks you forget what plant is on the beds. For this purpose, a simple solution in the form of a stick or label placed in the substrate, on which you can put the name of the variety, works best.
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