Potted Plant Production Easter Lilies

Introduction Lilium longiflorum Native to Islands south of Japan Introduced to England in 1819 Bulb production in US in 1898 Grown as cut flower and Potted plant 3rd in potted plant production MI is #2 producer in the US

Cultivars ACE - –pyramidal shape –medium height –broad dark green leaf –large number of flowers Nellie White - –most popular –shorter plant –fewer leaves –suffers fewer tip burn problems

Propagation Non-tunicate bulb Field production on West side of US Done by collecting bulblets and scaling –Scaling is done by breaking off scales, planting in rows, and allowing 2-3 years until ready to be forces

Propagation Harvesting of bulbs done mechanically Bulbs are grades by circumference Shipped in boxes with humid peat moss

Growth Requirements Cooling - –Require 6 weeks of cooling at F –Can be done in two ways Case cooling - cooled in shipping crates Pot cooling - planted in finishing pots, allowed 1-2 weeks for root development and then placed in a cooler Pot cooling is a preferred method although it takes up more cooler space

Growth Requirements Media - –High porosity –High water holding capacity –Sterile –pH of –Soil mix or Soiless mix

Growth Requirements Water- –Do not let plants dry out excessively –Allow top to dry between watering –Use spagehtii tubs or overhead watering –Subsurface results in taller plants Fertilizer - –Constant Liquid feed of 200 ppm Nitrogen –High salt levels decrease plant height

Growth Requirements Temperature –Very sensitive to temperature changes!!!!! –Warmer temp- faster development and taller plant –Cooler temps - oppesite true –This is a way of timing flowering –In general, plants kept at F at night and during the day

Temperature Cooler temps slow growth and flower production Warmer temps speed up flowering and growth

Growth Requirements Lighting - –Standard mum lighting used –Maximize light intensity Height Control - –Temperature –DIF –Light intensity - lower the light the taller the plant –Controlling crowding or spacing –Chemicals - ex. A-rest

Problems Insects –Aphids –Bulb mites –Fungas gnats To control all of above practice IMP and makes sure to use undamaged bulbs Diseases –Root Rot - use clean soil, let soil dry between watering or use fungicide –Viruses - controlled by using clean material and controlling aphids Names by it does to leaf: Fleck, Streak, Curly srtipe

Problems Physiological –Bulbs are immature at harvest –Not enough cold treatment –Low light intensity –Temperature too high

Post Harvest & Handling If bloom too early they can be held at puffy bud stage at F Sell lilies when first flower opens Remove anthers ASAP. This limits the yellow pollen that sheds on petals and lengthens shelf life.