How to Grow Lilies
Preparing the Site
Pick a site that has good drainage. This is important for growing lilies.
If the soil does not have proper drainage, it is advisable to put gravel in the base of the bed. To ensure the healthy growth of lilies, you must supply the soil with plant nutrients.
The site you choose should also have good coverage of sunlight. However, partial shade during midday will help preserve the colors of the lilies.
Tools / Materials
- Lily bulbs
- Fertilizer
- Watering cans
- Gardening tools
Planting Lilies
Dig into the soil at least one foot deep. While digging, it is advisable that you mix and add the fertilizer to the soil.
The bulbs should be planted in sandy soils with a distance of six to seven inches between them. Strong growing lilies should be planted six to seven inches deep, and the weak growing varieties should be planted three to four inches deep.
Avoid overcrowding the lilies; make sure they get enough space for proper ventilation.
Caring for Lilies
Lilies have different variations and each variety has differing water requirements. Orientpets, Asiatics, and Trumpets are capable of adapting to hot weather conditions while the Oriental variations of lilies need more water during hot weather since they have to wait until August before blooming flowers.
Watering should be enough so that the bulbs are always moist. You should never overwater, as this will cause the bulbs to rot. You can also apply fertilizers or compost rich in phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium to enrich soil.
You should also provide protection to the lilies by mulching the soil with leaves, straw and wood chips.
