Oriental Lily: description of the best varieties, planting and care in the open field

To the advantages of growing oriental lilies in their summer cottage, gardeners include incredibly beautiful flowers with a variety of colors and intoxicating aroma. It is difficult to imagine the second half of summer at their summer cottage without these beauties. Thanks to the work of breeders, many varieties of oriental or oriental hybrids have appeared that are adapted for growing in the difficult climate of central Russia. With proper agricultural technology, plants do not get sick and reward gardeners with huge buds of incredible beauty.

General description and characteristics of oriental lilies

Oriental lily has broadly lanceolate leaves located on long petioles. Their inflorescences are sprawling, racemose, flowers can be directed down or sideways. The shape of the flowers is chalmoid, tubular or star-shaped. The shade of the petals is crimson, white, pink.

A special feature of oriental hybrids is a long growing season, so they need a long warm summer. In the middle lane, cultivation is possible, but mandatory shelter for the winter will be required.

Types and varieties of crops

Among the hybrids and varieties of oriental lilies, the following are especially popular with gardeners:

• Oriental. It reaches a meter height, therefore it is included in the category of large species. On its petals, the color is yellow-white on the inside, and the outside is dotted with dots and small pimples. The Oriental Lily blooms in July or August, and it exudes a pronounced pleasant aroma.
• Asterion. The height of the hybrid ranges from 40 to 120 cm. In the blossoming state, the diameter of the buds reaches 22-23 cm. The petals have a creamy white tint and a slight waviness. Up to 3 buds grow simultaneously on one peduncle.
• Time Out. Of all the hybrids of Oriental lilies, this one is the most unpretentious. The flowers are medium in size (18-20 cm in diameter), with extended petals, on which there are longitudinal yellow stripes. It develops in height up to 120 cm, the flowering period begins in mid-August.
• Star Class. The height of the hybrid is up to 110 cm. It is characterized by flowers 20 cm in diameter, which have a white center color and pink edges of the petals.

Pros and cons

Before planting oriental beauties, be sure to study their strengths and weaknesses in order to avoid mistakes in the growing process.

The virtues of lilies include:

• Effective appearance.
• Bright pleasant smell.
• Look good cut.
• Large selection of hybrids with different petal colors.

Of the shortcomings, pay attention to the following:

• Long growing season.
• Late flowering.
• The need for additional insulation for the winter.

The nuances of growing a plant

Starting to grow a capricious and heat-loving plant, pay attention to its requirements for placement and soil characteristics.

Time and place of landing

It is recommended to plant oriental lilies in the spring, when stable warm weather is established without the risk of returning frosts. This will enable young flowers to take root in a new place and strengthen immunity before the onset of cold weather.

Since Oriental beauties are mostly tall, they choose a place for them protected from strong gusts of wind that can break a delicate flower.

An area with light shading is ideal, in the open scorching sun the petals burn out and lose their decorative effect.

Soil

The soil needs to be fertile, with a slightly acidic reaction. A good choice would be peaty soil with a small amount of leafy humus and sand. Drainage must be arranged at the bottom, otherwise the bulbs become infected with Fusarium and die.

Planting bulbs

Before planting, the bulbs are treated with any fungicide to protect plants from fungal diseases. In the prepared soil, small holes are made at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. Less spacing will cause flowers to compete for nutrients.

The bulbs are buried a little, sprinkled with a small layer of sand on top and mulched with sawdust. This will prevent evaporation of moisture and protect young plants from weeds.

How to properly care for flowers

Oriental lilies are regularly cared for in the open field, as the flower is delicate and capricious.

Water and fertilize

Moisturizing the soil on which Oriental lilies grow is carried out moderately. Flowers do not tolerate excessive moisture and react to it with a decrease in decorative appearance and rotting of the bulbs. In cloudy weather, watering is not carried out at all; in extreme heat, it is moderately irrigated once a week.

Feeding is an essential part of caring for oriental hybrids. For these purposes, it is better to purchase special fertilizers for bulbous plants in a gardening store and follow the instructions on the package when using.

It is strictly forbidden to use fresh manure for feeding lilies. It causes diseases to develop.

Shelter for the winter

Be sure to insulate delicate flowers before the onset of cold weather. The peduncle is cut to a 10-centimeter hemp and a bucket of earth is poured on top. Fallen dry leaves are laid on top of it. In regions with severe frosts, it is advisable to cover the top with roofing felt.

Diseases and pests

From fungal diseases, gray rot and fusarium are considered the most dangerous for oriental beauties. They develop in conditions of damp and cold weather, as well as with excessive moisture in lilies. For treatment, fungicidal preparations containing copper are used.

If the plants are affected by viral diseases, the flowers will have to be destroyed so as not to endanger other crops on the site. Among the most dangerous are the tobacco and cucumber mosaic virus. There is no cure.

Among pests, mice and other rodents who love to eat nutritious lily bulbs are dangerous. Poison is scattered around the plantings in winter, and snow is trampled down from time to time.

Sometimes flowers are attacked by lily flies, squeaker beetles, bears and spider mites. They resort to the help of insecticides - Karbofos, Intavir, Decis.

Reproduction of oriental lilies

Oriental beauties are bred in several ways:

• Seeds. The method is not suitable for all varieties and hybrids, therefore it is not popular with gardeners.
• Scales. Several Czechs are separated from a large he althy onion, which are placed in a bag filled with sand, peat and coniferous litter. They are waiting for the appearance of children, periodically moistening the substrate and airing the scales. Then they are planted in open ground, covered for the first time.
• Dividing the bulb. The procedure is carried out after the end of flowering, young specimens are immediately sent to the beds, they are well insulated for the winter.

Landscape examples

Oriental lilies look beautiful in the company of rhododendrons, perennial asters and ground cover plants.

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