What to Do When Lily Flowers Grow Too Tall
Lily stems that are thin and long, prone to falling over, and leaves that are weak and yellow are common problems encountered by many flower enthusiasts. Excessive growth not only affects the ornamental value of the plant but also directly leads to the obstruction of flower bud differentiation. This article will systematically analyze the causes of excessive growth and coping strategies to help you cultivate a healthy lily with balanced flowers and leaves.
Three Major Solutions for Excessive Growth in Lilies
1. Scientific Pruning to Control Height
When the plant height exceeds 40cm, immediate pruning is required. Choose to operate on a sunny morning, using pruning shears disinfected with 75% alcohol, and make a 45-degree diagonal cut between the 4th and 5th internodes of the stem. Apply a fungicide powder to the cut surface to prevent infection, retain the base 3 functional leaves to maintain photosynthesis. After pruning, stop watering for 2 days and resume normal care after the cut surface has calloused.
2. Light, Water, Temperature, and Fertilizer Control Method
Ensure 6 hours of scattered light every day, and shade 30% between 10:00-15:00 in summer. Use the "moisture when dry" watering method, water thoroughly when the top 3cm of soil is dry. Apply a balanced fertilizer (N-P-K=10-10-10) every 20 days during the growing period, and switch to a high-phosphorus fertilizer (N-P-K=5-15-10) during the budding period. Maintaining a temperature difference of 12-15°C at night can effectively inhibit excessive growth.
3. Substrate Improvement Remediation Method
Choose a mixed substrate of珍珠岩: decomposed leaf soil: vermiculite = 3:5:2, and control the pH value between 6.0-6.5. When potting in spring every year, place a 3cm layer of ceramsite at the bottom of the pot for drainage and add 5g bone meal per liter of substrate as a base fertilizer. For plants that have grown excessively, adding charcoal granules (10% proportion) can enhance the aeration of the substrate.
Analysis of the Non-Flowering Mechanism Caused by Excessive Growth
Experimental data shows that the flowering rate of plants with excessive growth is reduced by 67%, due to excessive auxins inhibiting flower bud differentiation. When the ratio of stem cell elongation exceeds 1:1.5 (lateral: longitudinal), photosynthetic products will be preferentially supplied to stem and leaf growth. It is recommended to spray a mixture of 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate + 0.01% chlormequat on the leaf surface when the plant height reaches the warning line, once a week for 3 consecutive weeks, which can promote the transfer of nutrients to flower buds.
Through a management plan that integrates pruning shaping, light and temperature control, and precise fertilization, the problem of excessive growth in lilies can be effectively solved. Regularly observe the growth of the plant, maintain an air humidity of 60%-70% during the budding period, and complement with a trace element foliar fertilizer once a month, and you can cultivate high-quality lilies with a flower diameter of up to 20cm.