Lilies belong to the perennial bulbous plants of the lily family. This beautiful flower rivals the orchid, but is much easier to care for. Since ancient times, the lily has won the hearts of people. In pre-revolutionary France, it was considered a symbol of the power of kings, and the city of Susa is the capital of ancient Persia, which means the city of lilies.
The white lily in Christianity symbolizes purity and chastity. Girls are named after the flower in the hope that they will become just as adorable. A bouquet of white lilies is a symbol of devotion, beauty and innocence of thoughts.
Variety of species
The lily flower, the photo of which conveys all its beauty, is common in the Northern Hemisphere. There are about 100 of its wild-growing varieties, but breeders breed many of their hybrids, of which there are today more than 5 thousand varieties.
They are often given a name for their place of origin, and they differ in the following features:
- flowering time;
- color, shape and size of the flower;
- stem height;
- growing conditions.
The variety of varieties and types of lilies is explained by the fact that these flowers very popular among breeders. Gardeners of the times of royal Europe were still engaged in cultivation of these beautiful flowers.
In the gardens of royalty and aristocratic families, it was considered a special chic to grow different varieties of lilies. By the way, many aristocratic families used the image of this flower on their coats of arms.
The variety of varieties allows you to choose flowers of any size, shade, height and shape. White lilies are considered some of the most beautiful... Some of the more popular varieties are:
- Annamaria Dream belongs to the Asian group of varieties of this beautiful flower. It is a medium-sized plant and its height is up to 60 cm. Such a lily is double, monophonic without specks, and in the center there are burgundy stamens. Flowers 7-9 buds.
- Casablanca is a type of oriental lily. It belongs to tall varieties with white large flowers, the stem height of which reaches 120 cm. The size of the flower is large and reaches 25 cm, the petals are without specks. When flowering, up to 9 buds bloom on each stem at one time.
- Extravaganza is another representative of oriental lilies. It is distinguished by its large and fragrant flowers. White petals covered with bright specks have a longitudinal pink stripe.
- Siberia is a variety of oriental white lilies, distinguished by its frost resistance. Its petals are corrugated, and it is suitable for growing in difficult climatic conditions.
White lily care
After planting, the plant needs to gain strength, so in the first year it is better to remove all or most of the buds. Subsequently, the buds are cut only from weakened lilies.
Throughout the flower season needs feeding, which is produced three times. The first top dressing is done in the ground in the spring, when the plant has not yet begun to grow. The amount of fertilizer is calculated in the proportion of 50 grams. for 1 sq. m. The second feeding - during the formation of buds (after 2-3 months).
It is made as a fertilizer in liquid form at the rate of 40 grams, diluted in 10 liters of water, per 1 sq. m.You can scatter dry fertilizer over the ground before squeezing or watering. Third time fed after flowering, but not later than mid-August. It is necessary to make 50 gr. dry fertilizer or 40 gr. for 10 liters of liquid.
The soil under the white lily needs to be periodically loosened, weeds pulled out and mulch with humus or peat... This plant does not like excessive moisture, but in drought it needs watering, especially when buds appear. Watering must be done carefully, trying not to wet the leaves, as this can lead to plant disease.
Tall varieties or with large flowers need to tieso that they do not break off and bend to the ground. During the first frost, flower stalks and leaves are cut at ground level, unless the plant is transplanted. For the prevention of various diseases, cut stems and leaves must be burned.
For the winter, this beautiful flower covered with a layer of humus or leafy soil, up to 10 cm thick. In the spring, you need to remove such a shelter before the lily sprouts, but with night frosts, cover the shoots with a film. Good care will ensure the full growth of the lily.
Planting and transplanting lilies
Purchased bulbs of this plant must be stored in the lower compartment of the refrigerator, where the temperature is slightly over 0 degrees. To do this, they are placed in a plastic bag with holes filled with dry peat or sphagnum.
Flowers are planted in pots, a greenhouse or plastic containers. In open soil, flowers can betransplant with a clod of earth and only after there are no spring frosts.
Plants aged 4 and 5 need division and transplant at the beginning of August. By this time, their flowering is weakened due to the lack of area for new bulbs and depletion of the soil. If the flowers are affected by any disease, then they must be transplanted at an earlier age.
The transplant period can be postponed to the beginning of September, as it should take about 1.5 months after flowering ends. Before transplanting, the stems of the plant need cut near the groundand then just dig up the bulbs.
A new place for lilies is needed pre-shed to the desired depth. The planting depth is 3 times the diameter of the plant bulb. The distance between large varieties of lilies should be 20-25 cm, between low-growing ones - 10-15 cm.
