Dead Heading advice

This question was asked by
Lynda W – 

My neighbour never dead heads her lilies. They come back every year strong and fabulous.
I DO dead head but often my lilies seem to get weaker and disappear over a few years.
Do you have any idea why this should happen? We have the same soil. The only difference is her garden gets more sun.

Hi there,

We always advise on removing the flower heads but to leave plenty of stem and foliage to die back naturally to feed the lily bulbs for the following year.

The Hart Family

Can I cut my lilies for indoor display?

This question was asked by
Karen –

Hi, I have Roselily Aisha and Roselily Angela and they are nice and tall with plenty of buds on them. I had them last year having purchased them at Chelsea and they were stunning.
I would like to know can I cut them for display indoors and still expect the bulb to do anything again next year?
Also one of the pots is losing brownish leaves, is it too much water?

Many thanks

Hi there,

Yes the browning could be due to the environment around it, i.e too much water, too hot etc.

Yes, you can cut your lilies for indoor display. However, I would advise leaving as much stem on the bulb as possible so it feeds the bulb for the following year. I would say leave at least 50cm of stem to die back naturally. It may not flower as well the following year though.

More information on lily care can be found here.

Anouska

Roselily Anouska

The Hart Family

Soil type for oriental lilies

This question was asked by
Sonia – 

I purchased bulbs at Hampton court, please confirm soil type for pots;
Anouska, Angela, Zelmira, Irvana and Aisha ?

Hi there,

All those lilies will be happy in a good multipurpose compost. For best results, you could mix it with 50:50 Multipurpose and John Innes No3.

Roselily Angela

The Hart Family

Feed for lilies

This question was asked by
Miss sandra – 

Hi.
What is the best liquid feed for lilies grown in a pot and how often do I feed them?
Thanks

Hi Sandra
You can feed your lilies with a diluted Tomato Feed to stimulate and strengthen your lilies when you start to see signs of growth. Make up your tomato feed with half the recommended dilution (written on the instructions on the bottle) and feed once every 3 weeks.

We also have the Lily Beetle Prevention Spray that strengthen and stimulate growth as well as prevent the Lily Beetles from damaging the foliage.

 

The Hart Family

Bringing on lilies

This question was asked by
Roxanne l A

What is the best type of medium to plant lilies in when force starting indoors before moving into the garden?

You could try planting your lilies in a warm sunny position, like a glass house, windowsill of a conservatory etc.

Use John Innes No3 mixed with a multipurpose compost ensuring the pot has drainage holes. You can then feed your lilies with a diluted tomato feed.

Water regularly.

LILIES

Lilies growing under glass

The Hart Family

Watering lilies in pots

This question was asked by
Caroline

Hello,
I received bulbs from you around 5-6 weeks ago, I have stored them In compost; I am now ready to pot up; please advise how to water. I have read not to allow water logging or over watering, it I’m still unsure!
Can you be a little more specific please.

Thank you very much
Caroline

Hi Caroline

You need to water your lilies regularly during active growth periods but do not over water them allowing the lily bulbs to get waterlogged as they will rot unfortunately.

So water them well (ensuring the pots have drainage holes) say once a week but more regularly when the weather is warmer.

Roselily Aisha planted in pots

Hope this helps.

The Hart Family

Large Lily Flower Heads

This question was asked by
Riki B

Which varieties of lilies has the largest flowers? Not including the giant lilies please.

Hi Riki

The Oriental Lilies will have the largest flower heads if you are not wanting the tree lilies.

Oriental Lilies

Have a look at Casa Blanca, Auratum goldband or Homerus, these are good varieties with large flowers.

Lily ‘Casa Blanca’ (harts1091)

Lily ‘Auratum Gold Band’ (harts1001)

Lily ‘Homerus’ (SKU17686)

Casa Blanca

The Hart Family

Red lily beetles

This question was asked by
Jane H

My poor martagon lillies were infested last year with red lily beetle. I picked them off every day, but still the came. Do you think sticky on the stem would help or do the fly in? Any suggestions please.

Hi there
They are a nuisance those beetles.
We have a lily beetle prevention spray and concentrate you can purchase to help combat the lily beetles.

Lily Beetle Prevention Concentrate (SKU179721)

Lily Beetle Prevention Spray (SKU17972)

Lily Beetle Prevention Spray £6.95

The Hart Family

What compost or mix of composts do I use for the lilies?

This question was asked by
Elizabeth B

I have just ordered some Oriental lily bulbs from you to grow in large clay pots. What is the best compost to use? Do I need to add sand as some sites advise? How do I prevent the dreaded Lily Beetle?? I can start them in a cold greenhouse.

Hi there,
You can mix John Innes No.3 with a good quality Multi-purpose compost (50:50 mix). Adding horticultural grit for drainage is recommended.

We have a Grazers G4 spray or concentrate you can purchase for the lily beetle.

Lily Beetle Prevention Concentrate (SKU179721)

Lily Beetle Prevention Spray (SKU17972)

Lily bulbs

The Hart Family