Lily cultivation

[Robert_Brenchley]

Does anyone know much about growing lilies? I've tried a couple of times; they do well the first year, and then fade away. I'm currently trying regale (slightly frosted) in an old kitchen sink to see whether that makes any difference. My allotment is low-lying, beside a stream, and tends to get famp in the winter, though it's well-drained, and can dry out easily in summer. That's the only thing I can think of, but it can't be the whole story. I know from an old record that someone grew Madonna lilies on my plot in the 1940's and sold the stems to a local florist for 2/6 a time. If they could do it, why can't I?

[Robert_Brenchley]

[Deeds]

I think you may have the problem in saying that it gets damp in winter and dries out in summer, the opposite of what is ideal for most lilies. 

Another thing could be if the soil has had lime added as they prefer a soil that is slightly acidic. if it has been used for brassicas this could be the problem.

I hope the sink is deep as lily bulbs need planting rather deeply (about 4-6") of soil on top of the bulb. 

[Ozzy]

cant tell u how they do it but heres a pic of mine and mahn hope it tells u to "if at first u dont succeed then try try try again" I just stick the bulb in da mud then care about it...

simply awesum

Ozzy

[Robert_Brenchley]

My sink should be deep enough. What bugs me if it is the winter damp is that my predecessor could grow them!

[Val]

Is something eating them, the lilly beetle has become more  widespread, they can demolish the plants.Also try planting them on a bed of grit, or adding a lot to the planting hole. That might work.

[Deeds]

We are talking 60 years ago, the soil conditions can change a lot in that time.
Try doing a pH test to chech the alkilinty/acidity of the soil.

[aquilegia]

I keep mine in pots so they go out in the summer (you can sink them into the soil) and go in the shed for the winter.

[Robert_Brenchley]

The soil is slightly acid, about pH 6-6.5. The idea of taking them in in the winter sounds hopeful.

[Val]

Well my soil is alkaline and I grow lillies, also heavy clay, so I don't think that's the problem.

[Deeds]

Depends what lilies you grow, the asiatics tend to be more tollerant as well as the hybrids like 'Black Beauty' , but a lot of the species won't tolerate lime at all.

[Marley Farley]

;D Hi all, I grow in pots & in the flower beds. I have lovely soil so am very lucky I suppose. I think your problem is more that they dry out in the summer. Lilly bulbs cannot survive if you let them dry out. I lost some the first year I grew them & was told it was because I let them dry out. ::) I have never let them dry out since & always have lovely blooms year after year ;D try keeping them moist this year & hopefully they will be back next year ;D

[Granny_Smith]

If you grow lilies don't let your cats get near them. Lily pollen is a killer. If pollen gets on their fur and then they lick it off - it will poison the cat.

[Deleted]

Saw that in the newspaper - have decided maybe the lily beetle can have mine after all. The cat in the newspaper did die, and its getting more common as we all grow more liles. I perfer my cats to my lilies!

[Marley Farley]

:) I always pull the pollen laden ends of the stamens off as you do when you bring them indoors. They are supposed to last longer if you do that. Hopefully it saves the cats from the pollen :)

[lancelotment]

The beetle seems to have found its way to my back yard again this year.  I cleared 27 of the little so-and-so's of half a dozen plants last weekend.  I thought they weren't supposed to like the cold weather?

As a favour to our local cats, I'm growing the lilies at the lottie this year and will just take the cut flowers back to the house.  Our cat (Dix) hasn't been seen for months and is sorely missed.  My OH is dead keen to get 2 more from the rescue home ASAP. Lance