What to Do After Lilies Finish Blooming
After lilies have completed their full bloom cycle, scientific care and management directly affect the quality of reblooming the following year. This article systematically analyzes the three core aspects of pruning, water and fertilizer control, and bulb storage, helping gardening enthusiasts overcome the technical difficulties of reblooming.
Scientific Pruning Management
Timing and Method for Pruning Wilted Flowers
The best pruning period is 3-5 days after the petals start to wilt, using a sanitized scissor to make a diagonal cut 1cm from the base of the flower stem to avoid juice contamination of the cut. Retaining a stem of 20-25cm is beneficial for continuous photosynthesis to supply nutrients to the bulb, and for special varieties like Asian lilies, an additional 5cm of old branches can be retained.
Principles for Handling Yellow Leaves
Retain leaves that are not completely yellowed until they naturally fall off, as premature removal will interrupt nutrient flow. Check weekly for the emergence of lateral buds in the leaf axils and remove them immediately to prevent nutrient diversion.
Refined Water and Fertilizer Control
Water Management Strategy
After blooming, enter the water control period, maintaining a substrate moisture of 30%-40%. Use the "weighing pot method" to judge: when the weight is reduced by 2/3, slowly pour water along the pot wall without completely soaking. In the northern regions, start cutting off water in mid-October to prepare for overwintering.
Nutrient Supply Plan
Apply a high-potash slow-release fertilizer (NPK 5-10-15), spreading 50g per square meter and lightly covering it. Replace liquid fertilizer with a 2000-fold seaweed extract solution, and spray on the leaves every 10 days. Stop fertilizing from December to February the following year when the plant enters dormancy.
Bulb Overwintering Management
Natural Overwintering Technique
Increase the soil covering over the bulbs to 25cm, using a mixed insulating layer of pine needles and rice hulls. For potted plants, transfer them to a 5-10°C environment, and check the bulb firmness monthly. If softening occurs, immediately soak in a 800-fold Daconil solution.
Cold Storage Specifications
After lifting the bulbs, let them dry in the shade for 3 days, then wrap them in peat and place them in a 4°C refrigerator. Ventilate and check once a month, discarding any moldy bulbs. After thawing in spring, soak in a 100ppm gibberellic acid solution for 2 hours to break dormancy.
Through systematic post-bloom management, combined with precise temperature and humidity control, lily bulbs can accumulate sufficient energy. Mastering overwintering control techniques and配合 scientific rejuvenation measures can achieve the goal of multi-year cyclic display.