How to handle lilies after blooming to help them rebloom next year?
Here are some explanations on how to extend the blooming period of lilies and how to care for the bulbs after flowering to aid in reblooming:
It is currently the season when lilies are in full bloom, and the planted lilies are blooming one after another. Although I love the fragrance of lilies, I am unfortunately allergic to them, so I mostly plant fragrance-free lilies. Even though they are not fragrant, their appearance is still fantastic.
When lilies are in bloom, what should we pay attention to in order to extend the blooming period? And how should we care for the bulbs after flowering to help them rebloom? Today, let's talk about my methods in hopes of being helpful to you.
How to extend the blooming period of lilies
If you want the blooming period of lilies to last longer, it is necessary to regulate light and fertilization during the blooming period.
Take potted lilies as an example, if you do not plan to cut them for a vase when the lilies are in bloom, you should place the potted lilies in a bright area with diffused light or only receive soft lighting, avoiding direct sunlight. At the same time, stop fertilizing and watering. Lilies need a lot of water during the blooming period, keeping the potting soil moist without waterlogging or drought.
If the lilies are planted in the ground, it is also important to water them frequently. However, lilies planted in the ground are often affected by the weather, leading to a shorter blooming period, such as exposure to direct sunlight or rain. It is recommended to cut them for a vase. When doing so, the following points can greatly extend the viewing period.
1. -- Moderate pruning of the stem --
When cutting lilies grown at home for flower arrangements, you can prune the branches according to the height of the pot, leaving more leaves for the bulbs, which is better for their growth. The cut end of the lilies placed in water should be trimmed at a 45-degree angle, and all leaves below the flower should be cut off to reduce consumption.
2. -- Use preservatives or add a little vinegar --
When hydroponic, it is best to add flower preservatives to the water. If not available, a little edible vinegar can also be added. Vinegar can kill germs, and one of the important reasons why cut lily flowers have a short blooming period is water corruption. Bad water quality affects the absorption of water by the lily stem, leading to premature wilting of the flowers.
3. -- Change water frequently --
Attentive flower enthusiasts will find that the water consumption of fresh-cut flowers in a vase is the fastest on the first day. If the water is not changed, the consumption will decrease, which is actually due to water corruption, leading to a decrease in the water absorption capacity of the stem. To delay the blooming period, it is recommended to change the water once a day and trim a small section of the stem to create a new cut end, increasing water absorption capacity.
4. -- Prune the stamens --
Lilies can produce seeds, and they have a lot of pollen in their stamens, which can easily stick to the petals. If pollination is successful, the lilies will produce seeds, and the flowers will wilt prematurely. Therefore, I suggest you cut off the stamens in advance, which can not only extend the blooming period but also avoid polluting the petals.
How to handle lilies after blooming to help them rebloom next year?
Now that we have solved the issue with fresh-cut lilies, what should we do with the bulbs? Can they bloom again next year?
Lily bulbs do not degrade, and with proper care, they can rebloom every year. Here's how I suggest you care for the bulbs after lilies bloom.
1. -- Retain more leaves for photosynthesis --
Lilies do not wither immediately after blooming but continue to grow for a period, which is an excellent opportunity to care for the bulbs. If the lilies have not been pruned, you should cut off the spent flowers to avoid seed formation but retain as many leaves as possible. When cutting them for a vase, do not cut too much, considering the needs of bulb care and leave more leaves for photosynthesis.
2. -- Apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer --
Lilies should not be fertilized during blooming, but it is necessary to apply fertilizer promptly after blooming, using a full-element fertilizer with a higher content of phosphorus and potassium. Sufficient phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is more beneficial for bulb expansion, and supplementing with trace element fertilizers can make our efforts more effective.
3. --挖球保存 for potted lilies in summer --
For potted lilies, after the above-ground part withers in summer, the bulbs should be dug up and stored to avoid bulb rot, as potted plants are prone to waterlogging and can be easily eaten by soil insects. Don't think of not digging up the bulbs just by cutting off the water, as practice has shown it's hard to find the bulbs again in autumn.
For lilies planted in the ground, it is not necessary to dig up the bulbs unless they are planted in low-lying areas. Not digging up the bulbs is more beneficial for the growth of the lily bulbs.
However, in the southern regions, it is still necessary to dig up the bulbs, not only that, but they also need to be stored in the refrigerator for 2 months to complete the vernalization process before planting again. This makes it easier for them to bloom and they will bloom more as well.
I hope the detailed introduction on how to extend the blooming period of lilies and how to handle the bulbs after flowering to aid in reblooming is clear to you.