Lilies spread throughout the world from Asia, more precisely from Japan and other southeastern countries. There they were grown as vegetables - the bulbs were eaten. The warm climate made it possible to leave the underground part in the ground, so digging up lilies for the winter was not carried out. In Russia, where there are severe frosts in winter, not all varieties take root - only frost-resistant ones. The rest need to be moved to a warm room.
Do I need to dig up the bulbs?
Lily is a perennial bulbous herbaceous plant that can grow in one place without replanting for at least 6 years. The flower is propagated by divided daughter bulbs in late August or early September. Propagation by baby bulbs and scales can be done at any time of the year. The following main factors force you to dig up lilies every year:
- plant type;
- climatic conditions;
- target orientation.
Each type of flower has its own characteristics. In the twentieth century, new types of frost-resistant lilies were introduced to the population, including hybrid plant varieties that opened up new standards of vitality and disease resistance. The following types of lily hybrids are considered the most hardy and unpretentious:
- Asian;
- curly;
- tubular.
Important!
Bulbs of these varieties are perfectly preserved in winter in the ground under snow when using conventional mulching.
Some types of lilies, including exotic ones, are not particularly hardy, but because of their beauty, many gardeners would like to see such flowers in their plots. Breeding lilies brought from southern countries to places with cold climates often gives positive results, provided that the bulbs of these plant varieties must be dug up annually for the winter. These types include:
- white lilies;
- American hybrids;
- long-flowered hybrids;
- oriental hybrids.
If timely measures are taken to preserve the bulbs, the possibility of death of rare specimens is eliminated.
Each climate zone has its own flowers, which over the years have adapted to local weather conditions, this is called natural selection. When purchasing a new variety of lily, you need to find out where the flower comes from. The right information will help the gardener use the appropriate methods to grow it.
Do I need to dig up lilies?
There are many varieties of this plant. All of them belong to perennial bulbous herbaceous flowers. A lily can survive up to 6 years without transplantation. The bulbs are then separated and planted in different beds. However, in some cases, you need to dig up a lily every year, even if reproduction is not planned. The need for such a procedure depends on:
- varieties;
- region and climate zone;
- target cultivation.
Mostly these flowers grow in Asia. There are more than 100 types of lilies. Only 16 of them are common in Russia, because... the local climate is too aggressive for heat-loving varieties. For example, in Siberia only Lilium tenuifolium, Lilium pulchellum and Lilium spectabile are planted. To prevent the plant from dying from the cold, gardeners with summer cottages in central Russia choose frost-resistant lilies. These include Asian, tubular and curly hybrids. These varieties easily tolerate aggressive winters, because... bred specifically for the northern regions.
Exotic species do not like the cold, so they need to be removed from the street for the winter if it is not possible to insulate the flowerbed. Although such lilies are not adapted to low temperatures, many gardeners choose them because of their beauty and versatility. To prevent the plants from dying, it is imperative to dig up American, oriental, long-flowered and white hybrid varieties in the fall.
Attention!
In order for the flower to live for a long time, it must be dug up before the soil begins to freeze.
Preparing shelter for the winter
It is recommended to prepare the place in which the flowers will be stored before digging. It must meet the following requirements:
- Moderate humidity level. The dug up plant should not be stored in conditions of high humidity, as it will deteriorate and begin to germinate.
- Plus temperature. The shelter should be relatively warm so that the temperature does not drop below zero degrees.
- High-quality ventilation. The plant needs air, and therefore there must be normal air exchange in the shelter.
Features of autumn care for lilies
How to properly care for these beautiful flowers? Features of care depend on the variety of lilies. Simple species can simply be thinned out, weeds removed, and the soil around the roots loosened. In warm regions, they don't even need to be covered before frost.
Varietal varieties of lilies require a more competent approach. You can’t just leave them like that for the winter, otherwise they’ll freeze. Experienced flower growers recommend pruning lilies in the fall. The pruning process itself is simple, but it is necessary not to miss the deadlines for the procedure so as not to harm the plant
When to prune lilies for winter
Almost all varieties of lilies finish flowering early. Already in mid-summer, lilies fade, and inexperienced gardeners immediately try to prune them. But it's not right. The procedure carried out too early will harm the lilies, and such plants will not look beautiful in the garden.
After flowering ends, vital processes continue in the stems and foliage, roots continue to grow, and store nutrients for the winter. Photosynthesis also continues in the leaves. Therefore, it is necessary to wait and give the bulb the opportunity to gain strength before the upcoming frosts and long winter.
How is autumn pruning carried out?
Over time, the petals fall off on their own, and seed pods appear in place of the flowers. It is necessary to carefully trim the boxes. When the leaves and stems are completely dry and withered, it is time to prune. This occurs at the beginning or in the middle of the first autumn month, depending on climatic conditions. At this time, the stems need to be removed completely or cut off, leaving 10-15 cm.
Do not leave the stems unpruned until spring. When wintering in the open ground, pathogenic microorganisms and pests can hide in them, which in the spring, waking up, will cause a lot of harm not only to flowering plants, but also to other crops growing in the garden. It is better to burn the cut stems.
Fertilization, care before and after pruning in autumn
Immediately after the lilies bloom, it is necessary to apply fertilizers consisting of potassium salt and superphosphate. They will help plants regain strength after flowering, ripen before frost, and prepare for winter. Feeding will allow the root system to receive a sufficient amount of nutrients. Thanks to them, the plants will withstand the cold, and in the spring they will grow faster.
In the fall, it is necessary to spray the lilies twice with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate. Treatment will protect plants from possible diseases during the rainy season. If the lilies will not be dug up for the winter, it is necessary to add at least a 20 cm layer of compost or rotted leaves under each bush. This will become a kind of shelter for the roots and protect the plants from frost. In spring, humus will be an excellent fertilizer for lilies.
What time should you plant lily bulbs?
Lily bulbs are planted:
- in the spring season , after the end of the last frost. This is the best time for varieties with low cold tolerance.
- in the autumn season, at the beginning of the first autumn month. This is the best time for varieties with an average level of cold resistance. Planting material can be planted in the spring season, but the flowering process will be late.
- in the summer season. As mentioned above, the Asian variety can be planted in any season. However, it is recommended not to disturb the plant during the flowering process. Of course, if necessary, you can plant the plant during the flowering process. Other varieties of lilies cannot be replanted during the flowering process.
Not all varieties of lily bulbs require digging up for the winter season. Selected varieties have a high level of resistance to cold.
Protecting lilies from rodents and pests
The worst enemy of lily bulbs in winter is rodents. Without appropriate protective measures, they can cause significant damage to lily beds.
The simplest protective measure against them is various baits with a poisonous effect. Before the onset of winter, they are laid out on beds with lilies. Among the modern methods of control, it is worth noting special ultrasonic repellers.
Attention!
They work effectively, but their price is quite high.
Harmful insects can also cause significant damage to lilies. The greatest danger to them is the lily beetle (firefighter beetle). At the slightest danger, he falls to the ground with his belly up, pretending to be dead.
It, like its larvae, actively feeds on the leaves and stems of lilies, while transmitting various viral diseases. The beetle and its larvae are highly resistant to insecticides. Therefore, the best measure to combat it is manual collection.
You can also find other pests on lilies:
- Thripsov.
- Spider mite.
- Aphids.
- Lily fly.
Digging time
Bulbs of heat-loving varieties of lilies are dug up in the fall for winter storage. The time of digging is determined by the condition of the above-ground part of the plant; the stem at the base should be dry, this means that the bulb has fully matured.
For different varieties of plants, this moment occurs at different times; digging up lilies begins on August 15 and ends until September 10. Lilies imported from southern countries do not need to be dug up for the winter in areas with a temperate climate, for example, in the Moscow region, but in this case it is necessary to take care of their insulation for the winter. To cover the flower bed, various available materials are used:
- construction waste, sawdust;
- hay, straw;
- dry leaves;
- dried vegetable tops.
Attention!
Insulation materials that can be blown away by the wind must be pressed down on top with boards or roofing felt. With the onset of winter, the area with flowers is covered with a thick layer of snow on top of the shelter.
Lilies can remain in the soil for years, blooming every year. Plants are dug up only if excessive crowding begins to affect the quality of the flowers. Daughter bulbs with roots and stems are separated from the mother bulb, excess shoots are removed, and the required specimens are planted again at a distance of 30 cm from each other. So that young shoots have time to take root before frost, heat-loving lilies are divided and planted in mid-August, and frost-resistant plants - in early September.
The most exotic-looking oriental hybrid lilies are not distinguished by great endurance and good health, so you should not leave them in the open ground for the winter in order to preserve expensive and rare specimens in the collection.
How to properly store bulbs
Before sending lilies for the winter, you need to choose a place for them. It depends on its “arrangement” whether the bulbs die or not. First of all, it is necessary to create conditions that are comfortable for the plant. Flowers are stored in specially organized containers with insulation, because... otherwise the root will freeze. The following will help maintain a stable temperature inside the container:
- dried vegetable tops;
- hay or straw (not wet);
- sawdust, polyurethane foam;
- dry leaves.
Insulation materials must be fixed in the container. If the container is placed outside, the material may be blown away by the wind. To prevent this from happening, a homemade storage facility can be buried in the ground. You don't need a deep hole for this: just cover the lid of the container with soil. The storage location must maintain a constant temperature of 0° to 5° degrees. Stronger cold will destroy the bulb.
In pots
When storing lilies in peat containers, the plants experience less stress. It is enough to place the bulb in a pot in the fall. In the spring they begin to water it, and with the beginning of the planting season they move it to open ground directly in a container. This method is the simplest, because When wintering at home, no additional insulation is required. Choose a place that is not too warm, otherwise the flower will begin to germinate ahead of schedule. On a south-facing window in a room where the temperature is above +20°, the plant will be ready for transplanting into open ground ahead of schedule. If the lily blooms, moving it to the garden bed can destroy it, because buds require more energy to maintain the life of the plant. Replanting is stressful, which during the flowering period turns out to be an unbearable burden.
In a refrigerator
One of the advantages of such a place is the absence of temperature changes. In cool conditions, the bulbs tolerate winter well. However, you cannot use poorly performing equipment. Bulbs can spoil due to high humidity, so a leaking refrigerator is a bad place to store lilies in the winter. Also in the spring, the plant may not germinate if there is poor ventilation in the chamber. It is not recommended to leave the bulbs near the fruit. They emit ethylene, which can harm plants.
In the basement or cellar
To overwinter lilies, it is enough to choose a cool place with good ventilation. There should be no drafts. Because of these requirements, a basement, cellar or loggia is suitable for storing bulbs. In these rooms the temperature remains more stable. Plants do not need sunlight in winter, because... they fall into a kind of hibernation. To prevent the flower’s biological clock from going astray, the room should not be too hot. If the basement or cellar is heavily insulated, the lily will begin to germinate ahead of schedule. For the same reason, with the appearance of the spring sun, lilies need to be removed from the loggia.
Attention!
Instead of a basement or cellar, you can store bulbs in a shed if it is insulated.
Favorable days
There is no single date on which all summer residents gather and dig up lilies for the winter. The timing depends on the location of the garden. For example, in the northern regions the procedure must be done much earlier than in the southern regions. Typically, bulbs are taken from the garden 7-14 days before the onset of cold weather. This can be done in a couple of days. But this approach has its drawbacks: the weather forecast is not always accurate, which is why frost sets in earlier. Such an unscheduled cold snap can destroy the plant.
According to the lunar calendar
It is necessary to dig up lilies in 2021 if the variety is not adapted to aggressive cold. The period for transferring a flower from the garden is individual for each species. How well the flowers will tolerate this procedure depends on the position of the Earth’s satellite. Favorable days according to the lunar calendar:
- August 15-20 for Asian and longiflorum-Asian hybrids;
- September 1-5 for eastern species;
- August 25-September 1 for OT hybrids.
By region
It is impossible to predict the weather. Therefore, the digging of lilies in each region of Russia is not carried out according to dates. To understand whether it is time to send a plant for winter, you need to look at it. There are several ways to determine when a flower is ready. Flowering should end completely. It is better if several weeks pass from the moment the last bud falls. Yellowing leaves and stems also indicate readiness for winter. You cannot dig up a bulb if the above-ground part of the lily has not yet completely drooped.
The flower reaches this state at different times, even in the same region. It all depends on the weather. So September may be warmer than August. If the cold comes early, the bulbs are dug up at the end of summer, because... Severe frosts may begin in the fall.
Replanting lilies after flowering
There are varieties of lilies that are not dug up for storage for the winter, but are simply replanted. Not all gardeners know the optimal time to dig up lilies after flowering. Experts recommend doing this no earlier than 3 to 4 weeks after the end of flowering. If you replant early, the plant will either have difficulty taking root or may die completely.
In order to replant flowers, you need to separate the dead parts of the plant, then let the bulb dry in the shade and treat it with a disinfectant, for example, a pink solution of potassium permanganate or charcoal. The finished planting material is planted in dug up flower beds.
Step-by-step instruction
The following step-by-step instructions for digging up lily bulbs are provided:
- Prepare the area (free from leaves, small debris using a light rake); in order not to confuse the area with lilies that remain to winter in the open ground, after flowering you need to mark it with a sign with a mark.
- Cut dried lily stems at the root using garden shears.
- Use a fork to dig up the bulb and carefully remove any lumps of soil from it.
- Trim the roots to 5–7 cm, inspect the bulb for rotten and dried areas, remove them with a sharp knife.
- Immerse the dug up specimens in a disinfecting solution (fungicide, potassium permanganate) for 10 minutes.
- Remove the bulbs from the solution and dry thoroughly on wire racks in a ventilated area out of reach of sunlight (shed, woodshed).
- After drying, break off the baby bulbs from the mother bulb and place them in a container with sand.
After this, depending on the purpose, the divided bulb with the children is either planted back into the ground or sent for winter storage.
How to dig a lily:
- Lilies are dug out of the ground from a nest of bulbs with pre-cut stems.
- The soil is carefully shaken off the bulbs;
- each bulb is carefully inspected for the presence of damaged or rotten roots and dry scales;
- all bulbs are washed with running water;
- for disinfection, the bulbs are placed in a solution of potassium permanganate or karbofos;
- After drying in the shade, the bulbs are ready for storage.
Latest articles about gardening
Winter garlic turns yellow: what to do?
Yeast as a fertilizer for plants: how to prepare?
Soaking seeds in vodka: benefit or harm?
In this case, it is recommended to wrap the bulb with ordinary forest moss - it will protect it.
Storage rules
A layer of peat is placed in the container, followed by an onion layer. Next, the same procedure is repeated several times, with the last tier in the box being made of peat.
There are several options for storing a container with lily bulbs. The general requirements for all are the following:
- To prevent dehydration and the bulbs from drying out, the room should not be too dry;
- high humidity is also harmful, as such conditions lead to the formation of mold and rot;
- the temperature should be stable, optimal values from 0 to 5°C.
- The storage place must be well ventilated.
Reproduction during storage
Winter is considered the most suitable time for propagation of lilies. When performing this procedure, bulb scales are used. The reproduction process is carried out in several stages:
- Preparation of scales. First, they do the preparatory work, during which all the scales are separated from the bulbs. This is done very carefully so as not to damage anything. They can be separated either manually or using a sharp blade.
- Soaking. The detached scales are soaked in a fungicidal solution or manganese liquid. In this case, they should soak for about 40-45 minutes.
- Drying and storage. All soaked scales are washed with water, dried and placed in a container filled with peat. In a month and a half, adult bulbs will sprout from them, which can be planted in a flower bed in the spring.
- Planting. Before planting young bulbs, they are carefully removed from the peat pot. Then they are placed in dug holes and watered.
Preparing lilies for digging
The signal for which lilies need to be dug up for the winter is a shrunken stem and flying leaves. For the event, you need to prepare a pitchfork so as not to damage the bulbs, as well as preparations for disinfection: this can be potassium permanganate or a purchased fungicide. Scissors or pruning shears will be useful for trimming the stems. It is necessary to take into account weather conditions - it is better to excavate in dry, warm weather.
Planting material must be stored in a special mixture - it is also prepared in advance. This could be peat or wet sawdust. If there is nowhere to store the onions at the dacha, they are taken and placed in the lower part of the refrigerator in the apartment. To do this you need damp burlap and a bag.
The first thing to do is cut off all the dry stems and remove them from the area. You need to leave a cutting 5 cm long. Do not water the soil before digging, as the bulbs will take longer to dry.
Is it possible to leave the bulbs in the ground?
Some gardeners are afraid to dig up lilies and leave them in open ground. This is quite dangerous, especially if the flowers are grown in northern regions with harsh winters. However, experienced gardeners assure that under dense snow cover the bulbs overwinter normally and do not deteriorate.
Attention!
The snow cover must be at least 15 cm thick.
If there is no snow cover, the likelihood that the plant will die is extremely high. Therefore, to be on the safe side, the area where the flowers are grown is covered with an insulating layer of pine paws, dry spruce branches and peat. When creating an insulating shelter, it is spruce and coniferous branches that are used, since they are the most reliable. The shelter is removed in the spring, when the frosts end and the temperature rises to 5-7℃ with a plus sign.
People who plan to leave bulbs in the ground for the winter should remember that this method is used only when growing frost-resistant varieties. This storage method is not suitable for oriental hybrids, as they will die at the first frost. Even an additional polyethylene coating will not protect hybrid varieties from low temperatures.
Tips for digging up lilies from experts and readers
Most gardeners recommend digging up plants in the fall and planting in the spring in order to obtain the maximum number of large and bright flowers:
Lilies amaze with their diversity, fascinate with their bright colors and pleasant aromas. However, these are quite whimsical flowers. To obtain long and abundant flowering of these plants, they need to be provided with proper care. There is no clear answer to the question of whether it is possible to leave the bulbs in the soil for the winter, because some varieties of lilies overwinter well in the ground and do not tolerate frequent digging, some are very heat-loving plants.
