OT- and LA-lily hybrids - description of varieties, care rules

• October 17, 2018
• Flowers
• Yulia Kazakova

In winter, when the snow has already melted and gone, the front garden begins to be full of all sorts of shades of flowers of different types. Gardeners try to regularly plant new and more spectacular flowers, because of this they are in an endless search for new varieties of varieties that will be different from everyone else.

The lily is an invariable component of any flower garden or flower bed; even experienced gardeners are amazed by the variety of their varieties and types. OT hybrids of lilies are very popular today. With their appearance, the number of inflorescences, and the volume of the bush, they attract attention. In planting and care, they do not differ in any way from other types of this plant, so they will become a wonderful decoration for any flower garden, flower bed or plot.

Description of the OT-hybrid lily

The hybrid is a perennial herbaceous plant. It was the result of crossing two species - Eastern Oriental and Tubular. This hybrid group is today one of the most promising and in demand, especially in Russia, due to the climatic conditions suitable for it.

The bulbs are the planting material for OT-lily hybrids. In diameter they range from approximately 1 to 30 cm (this will depend on the variety). The bulbs can be ovoid or spherical in shape. At the base they have a bottom with scales attached to it, which are also used for reproduction. A distinctive feature of the scales of OT-lily hybrids is that they do not close together in the upper part of the bulb and because of this they look loose.

This type of lily has a strong stem reaching a length of 1-1.5 m, and if all the necessary conditions are met, it can grow up to two meters. From below the stem is straight and covered with leaves; in the upper part there is strong branching, which allows a huge number of inflorescences to bloom simultaneously. On the stem, the leaves are arranged evenly in a spiral. They have an oblong shape, and are slightly bent downwards in the center. They reach a length of 10-15 cm. Their surface is smooth, shiny, dark green in color.

Large bright flowers are the main decoration of the OT hybrid. On the upper part of the stem they bloom earlier than other types of lilies. They bloom in July-August. One flower blooms for approximately 3 to 9 days. At the same time, from 2 to 40 inflorescences can bloom on one stem. Flowers can be goblet-shaped or drooping, tubular or turban-shaped. They have six petals, a pistil and six stamens, which have large anthers. The size of the flowers is very impressive, reaching 20-30 cm in diameter. Various shades are observed: purple-red, pinkish, yellowish, two-colored, plain, with spots and stripes. Flowers in most cases emit a wonderful delicate aroma.

In October-November, fruits appear on the stems instead of faded inflorescences - long capsules containing flat and long seeds.

OT hybrids are more resistant to many diseases and pests than other varieties. This species also tolerates wintering well, but with little shelter.

Flowers are used both to decorate the front garden and to make bouquets.

Care

Despite the high stability and immunity of hybrids, when growing lilies, simple care rules should be followed. To maintain stable growth and extend flowering time, it is necessary to maintain moderate soil moisture, timely fertilize and prepare the plant for wintering.

Watering

Maintaining moderate and regular watering is the basis for caring for OT and LA lilies. The soil next to the plant must be constantly moistened; neither overmoistening nor drying out of the substrate should be allowed. It is recommended to water lilies up to 2 times a week; during periods of drought, the frequency of water application is increased. During the active growing season, when the heat persists for a long time, it is advisable to spray the leaves. The water must be settled, rain or melt water, warmed to ambient temperature.

Top dressing

All hybrid lilies respond positively to fertilizing. As organic matter, it is recommended to add compost, an aqueous solution of mullein or bird droppings, diluted in a ratio of 1:10. Fertilizers are applied in early spring before the growing season begins, and then only in the fall after flowering ends. During the season, it is recommended to use liquid mineral compositions for ornamental flowering crops; the products should be applied only by the root method.

Loosening, mulching

To avoid stagnation of water near the root system, it is imperative to loosen to a depth of 5 cm. It is advisable to combine the procedure with regular watering, using a wooden or plastic stick as a tool.

A layer of mulch up to 5 cm thick is maintained throughout the season - this allows you to retain water on the surface of the substrate and also reduce the growth rate of weeds. In winter, mulching is mandatory to preserve heat in the soil; the procedure is carried out before the onset of the first frost. The optimal layer thickness is 7 cm; it is advisable to use sawdust, fallen leaves or peat as the material.

Pinching, pinching, pruning

Hybrid lilies do not require decorative shaping of the bush. During the entire season, only sanitary pruning is carried out. To do this, remove all deformed, dry and diseased parts of the plant. Faded buds should also be promptly removed as they appear.

After flowering ends, pruning is done to prepare for winter. To do this, you need to cut off the entire bush, leaving 5-7 cm above the soil surface. After this, mulch and additionally cover the planting with agrofibre, non-woven material or spruce branches.

Transfer

The plant can grow in one place for up to 5 years. After this, the quality and duration of flowering decreases, the tone and color saturation of the foliage deteriorates. Transplantation can be carried out in autumn or spring; for this, the bulbs are carefully dug out of the ground, cleaned and planted in a new place. In the first year after transplantation, less intense flowering is observed.

Reproduction methods

Lo hybrids live in one place for a long time, forming large nests of bulbs. The simplest and most effective way of reproduction is their separation. True, such a procedure can be carried out once every 5-7 years.

In the fall, you can dig up the stem a little and try to separate the babies. However, LO hybrids do not like it when their root system is disturbed once again.

Popular varieties

What kind of soil do lilies like?

Today there is a large assortment of lily varieties FROM hybrids on the market. Their lush flowering will not leave anyone indifferent.

• Variety Double Yellow. Double lilies with soft yellow flowers. Aroma with a lemon note.
• Lily Boogie Woogie. The maximum height of the plant is 120 cm. The flowers are large, pale yellow with an orange-pink border along the edges of wide, curled petals. Has a pronounced aroma. Flowering duration is 15-20 days. This variety is suitable for cutting (flowers in a bouquet remain fresh for about 2 weeks).
• Variety Lilium Conca d Or - fragrant flowers of light yellow color with creamy white edges up to 29 cm in diameter. Long flowering period (up to 100 days).
• The variety OT hybrid Robin can be classified as a so-called tree lily, since the height of the plant is up to 150 cm. The flowers are large (up to 25 cm in diameter) with shades of white, red, purple. Flowering duration is 2-3 weeks.
• Lily OT hybrid Elusive. A flower up to 25 cm in diameter has an amazing aroma. Up to 30 inflorescences are formed on the plant.
• The High Ti lily has white flowers with an orange-yellow center and dark orange anthers. Lily High Ti is an OT hybrid, distinguished by very large flowers (up to 25 cm in diameter). Up to 30 inflorescences are formed on one stem. The perennial grows up to 1.2 m by the age of 3.
• The Scheherazade variety is a giant species of Dutch selection. Its height is up to 2.5 m. These are exotic flowers of a reddish-burgundy hue with a light yellow core.

Specifics of cultivation

Before starting planting work, study the rules for preparing the material and choosing a location. The health of the OT hybrid and the quality of its flowering depend on the ability to correctly fulfill these requirements.

Selection of planting material

Purchase hybrid bulbs only from trusted gardening stores that have certificates of product conformity. You can also ask for material from a nursery where lilies are bred. Since hybrids are expensive, you should not take the risk of purchasing them on spontaneous markets, there is a risk of deception.

Each bulb is inspected before purchase - there should be no signs of rotting and mold, as well as looseness.

All scales should fit tightly to each other and have a uniform white color. When purchasing, take into account the place where the lily will be placed, and select the height based on this.

See also

Description and characteristics of the snow-white lily, planting and care in open groundRead

Choosing a landing site

Only open sunny areas are suitable for growing OT hybrids, and it must be taken into account that the lower part of the plant should be in the shade, and the buds themselves should be in the sun. A prerequisite is protection from cold winds and drafts. Just a little ventilation of the area is enough.

The root system of hybrids reacts negatively to close groundwater and flooding, so a small mound is built and a flower is placed on it. If the lilies have determined a place in the flower garden, make sure that it is in the background, otherwise the hybrid will block the light of all low plants.

Proper soil preparation

Heavy soils should not be used for cultivating hybrids. The soil should be light, fertile, well-permeable with water and oxygen to nourish the roots. To improve the quality of the soil, sand is added to it. Hybrids are not sensitive to acidity levels and grow well even on acidic soil types. But increased attention is paid to drainage; excess moisture at the roots leads to their rotting.

The selected place is dug up and beds are formed, raising them 15-20 cm above ground level.

Processing of planting material

Before planting, the bulbs are inspected, damaged specimens are discarded, and the rest are treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Planting scheme

If there are large hybrid bulbs, they are buried 10-12 cm; for small ones, 7-8 cm is enough. The taller the lily hybrid, the more it is buried in the ground when planting. Leave a distance of 17-20 cm between flowers.

When planting, it is better to sprinkle the roots of the bulbs with river sand; it will absorb excess moisture and prevent the roots from rotting. A nutritious soil mixture is added on top, which consists of turf soil and peat.

Application in landscape design

LO hybrids of lilies are widely used for growing in greenhouses, as well as for forcing cut flowers in greenhouses. As we gain experience in cultivating hybrids in open ground, they can increasingly be found in garden plots. Tall lilies with large flowers look great in mono plantings. They are emphasized in flower beds and flower beds.

Green spaces look best next to proud beauties. Hostas or coleus. Taking into account the late flowering period, peonies are planted next to LO hybrids. Lilies look harmonious against the backdrop of green spaces. Hydrangea, juniper, thuja.

OA hybrids

I'll start with OA hybrids.

The most difficult group for hybridizers, but the dream of our youth has already come true, when we said to each other - “I wish we could cross Orientals with Asians!” Now this already exists, such varieties grow in our gardens, but there are only a few of them so far. In the last year, six new titles have appeared to the five previously known to us. The ones growing here are persistent lilies, but not yet as huge and beautiful as orientals. Of these, I would highlight 'First Crown' and 'Elegance Crown'. Coming 'Kokopa', 'Nanjing', 'Shandong'
’.

Species lilies

Many types of lilies are very difficult for an amateur to grow, and some are impossible. This is mainly achieved only by sophisticated collectors who know the peculiarities of their growth in nature, where conditions are completely different than in our gardens. I won’t bore you with the details, but in the Black Earth Region and further south, where it’s hot, a gardener is quite capable of growing the beautiful species lily candidum - originally from Palestine. To the north it lacks warmth. But the species lilies of our country - Daurian, martagon, pumilum and others - are becoming well established in the middle zone. The exception is the tiger lily, which under no circumstances should be grown in the garden together with others, especially hybrids. She is a natural carrier of the lily mosaic virus, she herself has become accustomed to it over millions of years, but others become infected from her through sucking insects.

The most beautiful speciosum, auratum ('Gold Band') and especially nepalense lilies cannot grow I don't recommend even trying. Exceptions are possible, but when grown in a greenhouse and with good knowledge of lilies in general. Species American lilies, primarily pardal and its hybrids, grow well. Don't believe the labels that say - species lilies 'Black Beauty' and 'Lady Alice' are beautiful hybrids, but not species.

Diseases and pests of tiger varieties

This species is very resistant to diseases, but still sometimes you have to fight them. The cause of problems with flowers may be too frequent watering or the use of humus when planting. Let's look at the most common problems and ways to deal with them:

1. In case of rust damage, sulfur dust and preparations containing copper will help.
2. For chlorosis (the area near the veins turns yellow), iron sulfate is used.
3. A common disease is fusarium, which can be controlled by Fundazol (it is necessary to spray the bulbs when planting).
4. Fungicides such as Alirin-B, Gamair, Baktofit will help cope with gray rot, bacterial infections that cause brown spots and leaf death.
5. If infected with botrytis fungus, which can develop due to high humidity, it is necessary to dig up the bulbs, treat healthy ones with Maxim, and then transplant them to an uninfected area.

Lilies can often be susceptible to pests. The bud and foliage are damaged by lily flies, their larvae, aphids, and leaf beetles. To combat them, drugs such as Confidor, Tanrek or Aktara are used. Metarizin and Medvetox act on mole crickets and cockchafer larvae. Treating the bulbs with kerosene and Vishnevsky ointment before planting will help in the fight against rodents.

Hybrids of this variety do not inherit it. The viral disease is also transmitted by insects; subsequently, uncharacteristic spots form on the leaves. Once damaged, the plant cannot be cured. Therefore, it is recommended to combine Tiger lily with species that are resistant to virus damage: Curly, Leopard, Brown, Thunberg lilies (the latter is also a carrier). The species most susceptible to the virus are Henry's and Sargent's.

It will also be interesting: Bush lily - planting and care, varieties and names?

Protection from pests and diseases

If the plant is not properly cared for, it may develop fungal diseases, fusarium, and gray rot. The bulbs begin to rot and die. To prevent this from happening, they need to be treated with a fungicide (Topsin, Fundazol) before planting. The diseased plant is also sprayed with these solutions.

Also, stems, leaves and bulbs can be affected by pests:

• lily beetles;
• scoops;
• leaf beetles;
• onion root mite;
• mole crickets;
• thrips.

To prevent infection, it is recommended to treat planting material with Karbofos (1 g per 1 liter of water) before planting. You can keep the bulbs for 5 minutes in water +50°C. Remove affected leaves and stems. Spray with fungicides. Remove weeds and plant debris in a timely manner.