How to Grow Easter Lilies
Lilium Longiflorum
Easter Lilies abound just in advance of Easter. They make a great gift
for mom or grandma, or simply to decorate your home or office with a
splash of early spring bloom.
The floral companies and garden stores have worked diligently to force Easter
Lilies to bloom for you by Easter morning. As you know, they are shooting
at a moving target as in any given year, Easter falls anywhere from the last
few days of March to mid-April. Fortunately, the floral companies have mastered
the knack of forcing these big blooms to open right on time.
When selecting Easter Lilies, buy ones that are just beginning to open. The
blooms will only last a few days, so selecting one about to open will allow
you the maximum bloom time in your home.
Don't throw me away! After Easter when my blooms begin to fade and
die off, plant me in a container or in your flower bed. Easter Lilies will
grow and bloom in your flower garden for years. How!? Read on......
How to Grow Easter Lilies:
Most people buy potted plants for Easter so let's begin with a blooming plant,
and discuss planting easter lilies outdoors.
After the flower has died, off continue to grow the Lily in it's container
until the last frost in your area. Then, transplant your Easter Lily in a
flower garden. It prefers somewhat rich soil, fairly well drained, and full
sun. It should be allowed to continue to grow. Like other spring bulbs, the
plant will naturally die off as summer arrives.
In the fall, apply bulb fertilizer or blood meal on top of the soil where
your Easter Lily plant is resting. Carefully, work the fertilizer in without
disturbing the bulbs. In colder climates, add a layer of mulch on top of
the soil to protect the bulb from freezing.
Your transplanted Easter Lily should awaken the following spring. They will
bloom in late spring. However, it may not bloom until the second year after
it is transplanted. Many bulbs that have been forced to bloom need a year
to recover and return to a normal cycle. Then again, perhaps you'll be one
of the lucky ones to see a transplanted Easter Lily bloom the following spring.
Propagation:
Easter Lilies are grown from Bulbs. After the plant has died back for the
season, you can dig up the bulbs and separate the baby bulbs. Re-plant
the bulbs in the fall. Plant bulbs 10-12" apart. or together in small groups.
To achieve maximum growth, avoid overcrowding.
Note: Plants from smaller bulbs may require a few years of growth before
blooming
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