Lilies belong to the genus Lilium and grow from bulbs. Oriental And Asiatic Lilies (Difference between oriental and Asiatic lilies) are the most common and popular with gardeners as they make magnificent cut flowers of various colours including white, orange, pink, yellow and red.
Types of Lilies
Different types of lilies have different shapes. The lily flowers are trumpet (horn) shaped, huge 6 to 9 inches long and at least as wide. Flower shops often include lily flowers in bouquets and they are quite costly.Lily flowers are valued for their very showy, often fragrant flowers. The flowers are scented and trumpet-shaped 6 petals sit atop tall and erect stems. The plants will produce beautiful flowers and a glorious scent for many years with minimal care.
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| Oriental Lily Flower |
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| >Asiatic Lily Flower |
On the other hand, the oriental lily plants can grow two to eight feet high and bloom from mid to late summer, just when Asiatic lilies are beginning to fade. So it is better to plant both the lilies to have a prolonged display of magnificent flowers.
Planting Oriental Lilies And Asiatic Lilies
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| Lily Bulbs |
- Select a site which offers 6-7 hours of full sun, or else they will grow tall and thin, with wilting petals. They require about six to eight hours of sunlight each day.
- They like hot head and wet feet, therefore they should be planted where their heads can soar into the sun and their feet are covered at the bottom.
- Do not select a site that collects water and stand there. As there was no such site available in my garden bed so I decided to plant them in tall containers so they can be moved in sun.
- Most varieties are not very particular about the type of soil they are grown in, however, they prefer acidic to neutral soil, but a few varieties prefer alkaline soils. They love well-drained soil loamy soil - soil enriched with leaf mold and compost.
- Plant bulbs in autumn or late winter. Prepare the beds or containers before you plan to plant. Plant the bulbs as soon you get them from shop.
- Dig a holes 3 times the maximum diameter of the bulbs, normally 4-5 deep inch and about 8-10 inch apart. Put stakes near the holes.
- Place a bulb in each hole point side up. Fill the holes with soil.
- Apply a thin layer of compost followed mulch. Water thoroughly.
- When the shoots starts to appear, apply well aged manure.
Care Of Oriental And Asiatic Lilies
Following are the key points on how to care for potted oriental lilies indoors and outdoors.
- Asiatic and oriental lilies grow from perennial bulbs that will bloom and die after flowering. However, the plants will regrow each summer if bulbs are left in pot with new blooms.
- When the flowers start to wilt, break off the heads. Dispose of the removed flowers and any fallen petals and leaves in the compost bin to prevent any disease in the bed.
- Do not cut the lily stalks immediately after you have removed the flowers. The leaves produce food and store in bulbs after the flowers die to produce next year's flowers. Leave them until the leaves have yellowed, then cut the stalks to the ground level. Leave the bulbs in the ground.
- A healthy bulb will increase in size from year to year.
How To keep Oriental Lily Blooming?
- Place the plant in full sun.
- Keep the soil moist when oriental lily bulb plants bloom.
- Apply a layer of 3 inch mulch on the soil.
- When the flower start to die, cut only the blooms, but do not cut the stalks, allow them to remain there until they die. This will allow bulbs to store energy for the next year's bloom.
Fertilizer For Oriental And Asiatic Lilies
Asiatic lilies do not require frequent fertilization. Apply the fertilizer high in potash and phosphorus (N-P-K, 5-10-10) once the lilies begin growing Comfrey tea (how to grow comfrey). After that a liquid fertilizer can be given every 3 weeks.How To Water Oriental Lily Plant Plants
- Water the plant whenever the top of the soil begins to dry out, do not over-water. If the top soil is damp do not give them water.
- Keep soil moist but not wet. The oriental lilies do not like wet feet. Use a well draining soil mix to drain water efficiently.
- In summer, you may have to water each day, but in spring, once or twice a week may be necessary. If you have planted the lily bulbs in containers, then you will have to water them each second day. As a rule of thumb, do not water if you feel soil as moist if you stick your finger into it.
Oriental And Asiatic Lily Plant Pests
There is no serious problem of pests in Asiatic and oriental lilies. Mold, aphids, red lily beetles, slugs, and snails may occur.After many years dig the plants about a month after bloom has finished. Separate bulbs carefully and discard any lumpy, soft or rotten ones. Replant good bulbs immediately. Don't keep the bulbs out of soil.
Display Asiatic and Oriental Lilies in Vases
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| Lily Display In Vase |
Lilies are beautiful in a vase, they give beautiful site for at least 2 weeks.
- Choose lilies with buds that have changed color from green and are just about to open.
- After you bring the cuttings inside, trim the stem ends making a diagonal cut with a sharp knife.
- Remove the lower leaves on the stems and put in the vase so that no foliage is underwater.
- You can add some cut-flower food to the water to prolong the life of the lily flowers. Change the water every few days.
- The pollen may fall out of the flower and may cause stain the mat, cloth or table. To prevent it, simply snip off the stamens in the centre of the flower.