Comprehensive Guide to Growing and Caring for Lilies

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Lilies are stunning flowers characterized by their trumpet-like shape, cherished for their noble, luxurious, and alluring beauty. Predominantly cultivated in temperate regions, especially in the Netherlands, lilies can also thrive year-round in Vietnam, particularly in highland areas such as Da Lat (Lam Dong), Sapa (Lao Cai), Moc Chau (Son La), and Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc). Additionally, northern provinces like Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Nghe An, and Thai Binh can cultivate them during the winter season. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on how to grow and care for lilies, ensuring beautiful blooms.

1. Growing Conditions

Sunlight Requirements

Lilies thrive in full sun or partial shade. A well-placed garden can enhance their growth and blooming potential.

Soil Type

Lilies prefer clay loam soils. This type of soil offers good drainage while retaining adequate moisture.

Flower Colors

Lilies come in various vibrant colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, and white.

Blooming Season

Lilies typically bloom in spring, summer, and fall.

2. Planting and Care Techniques

Preparing Bulbs

Select bulbs with a diameter of 16/18 cm, 18/20 cm, or larger. Choose healthy bulbs that are not overly intertwined. Soak them in a 40% formalin solution diluted at a ratio of 1:80 for 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and let them dry.

Soil Preparation and Bed Layout

Lilies require moist but well-draining soil. Choose elevated, well-ventilated areas with proper irrigation facilities. Based on experience, the best soil is found in mountainous regions, riverbanks, lakeshores, or peninsulas.

• Soil Preparation: Till the soil until it is fine, level, and free from weeds. Incorporate organic matter, microbial fertilizers, and materials such as straw, rice husks, and well-decomposed manure to create a loose, well-aerated environment.

Bed Construction

To shield the plants from erratic weather, set up protective nets against rain, hail, and wind, as well as to deter certain pests.

• Bed Dimensions: Construct beds that are 1.3 m wide (including furrows) and 15-20 cm high.

For pot cultivation, use plastic or ceramic pots sized at 22 x 16 x 25 cm for three bulbs or 32 x 20 x 30 cm for five bulbs.

3. Planting Process

Planting in Beds

• Spacing: Plant bulbs at a spacing of 12×15 cm. Create 5-6 rows per bed, with furrows 5-7 cm deep. After making the furrows, water thoroughly, allow it to soak in, and then place the bulbs spaced 15 cm apart before covering them with 5-8 cm of soil. Mulch with straw or dry grass to cool the soil and aid in bulb development.

Planting in Pots

Fill the pots with a minimum of 8 cm of substrate. Position the bulbs so that the shoots face outward, then cover with 8-10 cm of substrate (measured from the top of the bulb). After planting, water generously to maintain moisture in the bulbs and substrate. Space the pots 10-15 cm apart. For ease of care, arrange four pots per row for three-bulb pots and three pots per row for five-bulb pots.

4. Watering Techniques

• Maintain consistent moisture in the substrate throughout the growing process.
• Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the leaves and buds.

Checking Water Levels

To gauge adequate watering, tightly squeeze a handful of the substrate after watering. If no water seeps out, the moisture level is appropriate.

5. Shade and Supplemental Lighting

Shade Techniques

Use one or two layers of black netting to shield the pots from 2.0 to 2.5 meters above. After 15-20 days, remove the netting. Adjust as necessary during hot weather.

Supplemental Lighting

35-45 days after planting, provide supplemental lighting for 3 hours (6 PM – 9 PM) daily for 20 days to reduce bud drop and prevent deformities.

6. Fertilization Techniques

Initial Fertilization

After 3 weeks (when lilies are 15-20 cm tall), apply fertilizer. Use a diluted mixture of 1 kg of Head Cow fertilizer (N-P-K 20-20-15+ Trace Elements) in 250 liters of water to nourish approximately 600 three-bulb pots (100 m²). Fertilize every 5-7 days.

Enhancing Flower Quality

When the leaves begin to unfurl (20-25 days post-planting), consider applying foliar fertilizers and growth stimulants such as Atonik and Head Cow fertilizers (502, 901, 902), also every 5-7 days.

7. Harvesting Techniques

Timing the Harvest

• Harvest Timing: Cut lilies in the morning to prevent wilting and avoid prolonged exposure to dryness in the greenhouse (ideally no more than one hour). Early mornings or cool, overcast days are best to minimize water loss. Avoid harvesting at midday when temperatures and sunlight can cause rapid wilting.
• Blooming Condition: Lilies typically start producing buds 50-55 days after planting, and they are ready for harvest 2-3 weeks later. Harvest when the first bud at the base swells and shows color. Early harvesting can result in underdeveloped buds, while late harvesting can lead to bruising. Ideally, cut when 2 of the 6 buds on a stem show color.
• Cutting Method: Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut stems 10-15 cm above the ground, leaving 5-6 leaves per plant. Immediately place cut stems in clean water to prevent dehydration.

Post-Harvest Processing

After cutting, remove fully opened flowers, and separate any damaged or substandard stems.

• Trim yellowing or diseased leaves, removing lower leaves approximately 10 cm from the cut.
• Place one-third of the stems in a container of clean water and store in a cool, ventilated area for initial processing.

Conclusion

We wish you success in cultivating beautiful lily pots. By following these comprehensive care techniques, you can enjoy the exquisite beauty of lilies in your garden or home throughout the seasons. Happy gardening