CULTIVATION OF LILIES

Evening Star, Issue 22721, 7 August 1937, Page 24

CULTIVATION OF LILIES

Soils for lilies must bo well drained and moderately moist. Most Hies thrive best in soil which is neither acid nor limy. A lime soil will suit some lilies, and an acid soil will suit others, and all' gardens may be made suitabe for some (writes ** Lorna,” in the ‘ Manawatu Daily Times ’). The soil, for lilium bulbs should be dug at least two feet, making sure that the site selected is a well-drained one. If the soil is sandy or light mix with it decayed leaves. If it is clayey or heavy, mix in sand, burnt earth, and wood ashes which have been kept dry. Never use fresh farmyard manure. Lily planting may be commenced very early ; m fact, as soon as the foliage dies down, and from then on until spring, and plant the bulbs with at least their own depth of soil, and not more than one and a-half times their depth. If the soil is light cover the bottom of the hole 1 with two inches of leaf soil and an inch of sand, but four inches of sand only if it is heavy. Put in the bulb, spreading the roots out carfeully, then cover it with sand. When the plants are through mulch with four inches of leaf soil, and keep a watch that slugs do not damage the young growths. Stake the stems before they bend over, end do not trample on the soil when it is wet. Most lilies like their bulbs and roots shaded, and are therefore best among shrubs and herbaceous plants. The following kinds are among the easiest to grow: —Lilium auratura. candy, not limy, soil, among shrubs in_ partial shade. Lilium landidum (Christmas or Madonna) does not like disturbance, nor acid soil, but likes lime and sun. Lilium cro-ceum, good soil, in sunny position in border. Lilium Regale, among shrubs or herbaceous plants, in sun. Lilium Martagon and varieties, well drained loam among shrubs. Lilium speciosum and varieties, loam and leaf soil without lime, among shrubs in half I shade. Lilium sulphureum, loamy soil, 1 among shrubs in a warm spot. Lilium

tigrinum, well drained loam' and sunny border. Lilium giganteum, deep leaf soil in woodland, and plant just below the surface. Lilium hansonii, loamy soil in half shade. Lilium henryii, not particular as to soil, sun, or half shade, but the flowers burn in too sunny a place. Lilium pardalinum, moist loam or leaf soil, among shrubs, in partial shade, will stand more moisture than most. Lilium wilmottie, loam and leal soil, among shrubs.