INDIAN FLORICULTURE

Liliums are very popular cut flowers used in decorations and as pot plant

Lilies have a very god demand in the flower market as cut flower and pot plants. Out of the different types of lilies, oriental and Asiatic hybrid lilies and to some extent the Easter and Tiger lilies, are the most popolar ones. All these lilies are excellent cut flowers.

The popularity of these lilies is gradually increasing in India. Some varities are prone to leaf scorch and as a result are not accepted in the market. Hence varieties resistant to leaf scorch should preferably be selected for commercial cultivation.

Location : Lilies should be grown preferably under semi-shade conditions and on the sites having no danger of frost and strong winds. Arrangement of shading nets is also necessary to reduce the light intensity.

Soil : Soil with good texture and proper drainage should be preferred. The soil should be light and porous but rich in organic matter. Lilies are sensitive to high concentration of salt that adversely affects the plant growth. A soil pH between 5.5 - 7.0 is ideal. In order to reduce the chance of disease infection, the soil should be sterilized before planting the bulbs. Formalin @ 2% may be used to sterilize the soil.

Temperature : For good plant growth and quality flower production, the night temperature should be around 10-15 degree C and the day temperature should be 20-25 degree C. Higher temerature will produce a dwarf crop with less number of flower buds per stem.

Light : The plant should not be grown under direct sun light. In summer months, due to high light intensity, the plants become stunted in growth. A shading screen with 50-75% shade will be beneficial.

Bulb Size : As a thumb rule, the bigger the bulb, more the stem length and the number of flowers per stem. Bulbs less than 10/12 cm in circumference should not be used for flower production. In oriental hybrid lilies, bigger bulbs (as big as 22/24 cm) should be planted as compared to other lilies.

Planting time : In the western Himalayan region, lilies can be planted throughout the year except the monsoon, when due to heavy rains the chance of bulb rooting is very high. Lilies can be planted in the plains in the months of October - November. Only the sprouted bulbs should be planted.

Planting density : The planting density varies from type to type, cultivars and bulb size. Planting density is also dependent on the planting time. In summer, the bulbs can be planted more densely as compared to winter planting. Usually bulbs are planted 15 cm apart in a row and the distance between rows is 30 cm. Approximately 28 bulbs are planted per square meter.

Planting depth : It is esssential, that the bulbs should have well-formed and healthy roots before planting, because the water and nutrient absorption during the first three weeks is  dependent on these roots. When the shoots emerge the so called stem roots start to develop ont he under-ground part of the ste just above the bulb.

These stem roots instead of bulb roots will soon start supplying water and nutrients to the plant. In order to get excellent quality of flowers, the stem roots should be allowed to develop properly.  For winter plantation, the depth of planting should be 12-15 cms.

Manuring : Well rotten FYM

Liliums : Excellent cut flower

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