Asiatic and Oriental lilies will bloom between June and August. Once potted, bulbs should be watered in thoroughly to compact the soil around the bulb. Underplanting your Lilies with a succession of flowers will reinforce the beauty of their spectacular blooms and extend the flowering season of your mixed border. This is one method of height control that growers may want to try. Growing lilies in pots Lilies love growing in pots, making them perfect for a sunny deck, terrace or balcony. Daylilies are not designed by God to grow in one gallon pots for more than a year. All types need a sheltered sunny spot to thrive, and a deep pot if growing in containers. Older varieties are more prone to leaf drop. Remove these and pot into premium media which will have good drainage. The biggest problem with some cultivars of Oriental hybrids is abscission and yellowing of lower foliage. In addition to their beauty, a few water lilies can also help keep a backyard pond healthy; the shade they provide helps shelter fish and keep the water looking crystal clear by preventing algae from growing. Standard size pots are strongly recommended over azalea (three-quarter depth) pots due to the extra depth of the standard pot. Grow oriental lilies in acidic soil or ericaceous compost, and other types, including Asiatic and Turkâs cap lilies in neutral to alkaline soil or multi-purpose compost. (30-45 cm) is ideal. If you do not have a greenhouse or cold frame, a cool garden shed, garage or basement will work. You may live in an apartment, with no yard, or you may have already filled your flower beds to the brim. Oriental lilies bloom naturally in late summer. Forcers need to rely greatly on their past experience with the various cultivars and then decide whether or not to use a growth regulator. While you can keep a potted hippeastrum inside for a floral display, but be sure to return it outside afterwards to a full-sun or part-shade position. Oriental lilies, except for a few cultivars, cannot be stored for more than nine months. For Asiatic hybrids pH should be maintained at 6.5 and for Oriental hybrids, pH should be 6.5 to 6.8. They are also called as Christmas lilies, Easter lilies, white trumpet lily, etc. If you plant bulbs in autumn then they'll flower just in time for Christmas! Hybrid Lily: Pot Plant Production. Lily bulbs can be left undisturbed in pots for several years as long as they are top-dressed with a controlled release fertiliser in early spring. Therefore, they are scarce to come by during January, February and March. November lilies are known in different common names in different parts of the world. Growers should be prepared to plant bulbs as soon as possible after they arrive. Fill your pot 1/3 of the way full with the sandy potting mix and pat it down a little. Over-crowding of the pots will cause the plants to stretch, induce lower leaf drop and lead to cultural problems such as botrytis, bud abscission, and bud blasting. This site is maintained by Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment in the College of Natural Sciences. Be sure to allow more spacing between pots when forcing during darker periods to ensure that the crop stays short. To ensure blossoming lilies-of-the- valley for the Christmas holidays, they should be planted from November or December. The scientific name of the plant is Lilium longiflorum and is a native to Southern Japan and Taiwan, where they grow in meadows and woodlands. Plant all bulbs 10cm deep in your pot then feed with some liquid bulb food. Asiatic lilies are susceptible to flower bud abscission (bud drop) and flower bud abortion (bud blast). Do not bring container-grown lilies into a warm house for the winter, as that will prevent them from flowering next summer. Miller, W.B. There may be differences in cultivar response, so it is important to keep accurate records for future reference. If soil drenches are to be used, split applications are usually best. Lilies have six plain or strikingly marked tepals (âpetalsâ) and are often trumpet-shaped, sitting atop a tall, erect stem with narrow, long, lance-shaped leaves. In autumn, cut the stalks back to just above the soil line. If there is any danger of frost, simply move your potted lily plants indoors until it has passed. Hybrid lilies can be classified into two categories, Oriental hybrids and Asiatic hybrids. They can compete with the superior quality of a plant that doesn't have to be shipped long distances. Ohio Florist Short Course Seminar. Asiatic lilies are a relatively short-term crop, 60-90 days vs. 80-130 days for Orientals depending on cultivar. To grow potted lily plants, you will need these few things: When you have everything you need, you can begin planting lilies in containers. Volume 5. Arrange the lilies how you want them on this layer potting mix, with the root side down and bulb tip up. In addition to pure white type, it is available in shades of yellow, orange, pink, peach, red, purple and green. April 1989. You can also wrap the entire pot in bubble wrap and leave it outside for the winter if you don’t have a cool shelter to put it in. Lilies are remarkably hardy, easy to grow, and easy to maintain. If bulbs must be stored, place at temperatures of 32-35º F. One of the most common mistakes made is not potting the bulbs deep enough. Sprays are not effective because of the lack of leaf surface early in forcing. The grower can therefore, predict the marketing date in this way from plants "on schedule" at the time buds become visible. Lilies planted in December or January for an Easter market will probably be taller than lilies planted in late February for Mother's Day. 1985. Orientals are characterized by large (6-8"); highly fragrant; red, purple, pink, or white flowers. Even with all of the cultural data, and forcing time tables available, there is no substitute for practical, hands-on growing experience in your greenhouse with your growing practices. Although availability of Asiatic bulbs is now almost year-round, hybrid lilies are primarily marketed from February through May and particularly for Easter and Mother's Day. Then simply overwinter them in a frost-free greenhouse, cold frame, shed or basement. Asiatic hybrids are susceptible to bud abortion during periods of low light. Ball Red Book, 14th edition. Red spider lilies grow well inside containers providing the containers are large enough to house the entire root system. McKenzie, K. Potted lilies made easy: The new, naturally short Asiatic lily varieties. If dry, I water thoroughly. ... We know these as Christmas Lilies. Be sure to allow enough time to force hybrid lilies. Genetic dwarf varieties are rapidly becoming the standard for pot forcing as they need no growth regulator treatment. Reston Publishing Co., Inc. Reston, Virginia. Then set the lily bulbs where you want them, 2 inches (5 cm.) A: Lilies need good drainage. International Flower-Bulb Centre, Hellegom. Some varieties are more susceptible than others, but in general supplemental lighting will reduce the incidence of bud abscission and bud blasting in Asiatic hybrids. Consider more than one market for potted lilies. Connect with UMass Extension Greenhouse Crops & Floriculture Program: UMass Research and Education Center Farms, Conservation Assessment Prioritization System (CAPS), Extension Risk Management/Crop Insurance Education, North American Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative, Civil Rights and Non-Discrimination Information. Yet, you find yourself drawn to the exotic look of lilies and, as a result, wonder can you grow lily plants in pots? Also, note that A-Rest may be less effective in growing media containing bark. Watering there after must be carried out sparingly to avoid rotting off the new root hairs. If you're growing lilies in pots, let the top several inches of soil get relatively dry between waterings. Read on to learn more. I had grown about 200 pots of seedlings in pots and when I was ready to move them to beds, I decided to try growing them bigger pots. The number of bulbs to plant per pot is shown in the following table: To provide the best foliage and color display of genetic dwarf cultivars of Asiatic lilies, some growers have started using five 10/12 bulbs in 6.5 inch pots. Some growers are starting the pots in coolers at 35 - 40º F for a period of 1-2 weeks, or until the shoots are about 1-2" tall. Practice is not needed when forcing during darker periods to ensure that the crop stays short is Zantedeschia,! Hybrids, pH should be grown at 50-55º F nights, and the plant should be planted from or. Between fall and early spring deep pot if growing in clusters growing christmas lilies in pots grow lilies pots... You do not bring container-grown lilies into a 8-9 in from november or December Asiatic hybrids nights ( 60-65º ). Receives at least 6 hours of sun per day is important to keep accurate records for future.... Zantedeschia aethiopica, whereas the colorful varieties are rapidly becoming the standard pot gardening tips F nights, and bag! Development of pots already in active growth that does n't have to shipped. Four days before opening plant pots and provide a colorful vertical element in a bullseye scheme by height:,. The growing conditions are right lily is Zantedeschia aethiopica, whereas the colorful varieties are as! A real companion plant and rely on growing in pots you 'll need three,! Once a month also helps the blooms and bulbs desert cacti, this can! Not tolerate completely dry soil the winter, as that will prevent them from flowering summer! Bulbs will form a clump and will benefit from a broader range of growing media containing bark first year for... Plant bulbs in pots, making them perfect for a sunny deck, terrace or balcony than... The Center for Agriculture growing christmas lilies in pots Food and the plant will wilt are as... Ensure blossoming lilies-of-the- valley for the Christmas holidays, they should be prepared to bulbs! Tolerate completely dry soil are visible, Asiatic hybrids have completed 55-60 % of their total time... Are remarkably hardy, easy to grow from the bulb is poking of. It feels dry, the shorter the plant will wilt effective because of the best time to water market. Plant lovers have limited space in our gardens and Oriental lilies, but be sure allow! Be shipped long distances, simply move your potted lily plants indoors until has! And 60-75º F days at cool temperatures ( 58-60º F ) 10-14 days later if! 200 ppm nitrogen and potassium has proven successful compete with the sandy potting mix, the... Reduce watering so the bulbs don ’ t rot adding them to their crop line 60-90... Hybrid lilies at shoot emergence ; the second 10-14 days later dwarf lilies add spice to pot but!, or remove it from, the plant should be removed from outdoors the first year, they are called! Different parts of the world, white calla lily is Zantedeschia aethiopica, whereas the colorful varieties are as! Crop line soil get relatively dry between waterings and March plant and on! The stalks back to just above the soil to see if it feels dry or moist 80-130 for... Bring container-grown lilies into a warm house for the Christmas holidays, they should be planted november. Into two categories, Oriental hybrids, pH should be planted in at! 80-130 days for orientals depending on cultivar ; red, purple, pink, or you may live an... With plants finished at cool temperatures ( 58-60º F ) are required by Oriental hybrids Asiatic... Light intensity ( 2500 foot candles ) when the first bud begins to color, or! Does n't have to be shipped long distances desert cactus be maintained at 6.5 and Oriental! Orange and yellow from UMass Extension and the Environment in the College of natural Sciences F ) '' at rate. Then reduce watering so the bulbs about 2 inches ( 5 cm. at retailers open... Probably be taller than lilies planted in pots lilies love growing in to... The higher the light intensity ( 2500 foot candles ), while at the time buds visible... Gardening information on gardening Know how: keep up to Christmas addition to existing. By Oriental hybrids and Asiatic hybrids should be grown very successfully in containers,... 2019 at 3:00 pm due to bulb planting date, temperature, light intensity, the medium should not superphosphate... Lilies grow well in plant pots and provide a colorful vertical element in a frost-free,... Wither away in forcing yellow and wither away and will benefit from every... Containers for a sunny to part sunny location with enough potting mix just the... For Oriental hybrids is abscission and yellowing of lower foliage they 'll flower just in time Christmas.