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Experts recommend pruning lilies after flowering for the winter, taking into account the terrain and climate of the region in which they are grown. If the area has harsh weather conditions, then they begin to prepare the plants for the cold at the end of summer, and when the flower beds are located in the southern regions, it is advised to postpone this procedure. If the grower does everything correctly, the plant will be able to accumulate enough strength and in the next season it will give many lush and beautiful buds.
The signal for pruning lilies for the winter is yellowing of the bushes
Do lilies need to be pruned for the winter after flowering?
For a number of reasons, lilies must be pruned after flowering. First, freeing the perennial from its aerial parts helps it stay healthy. Secondly, after pruning a flower for the winter, it retains its decorative effect. Thirdly, by removing the stems of the lily, its cold resistance increases and it tolerates frost better. Fourthly, pruning the bush for the winter serves as a preventive measure against fungal diseases.Fifthly, the procedure helps the culture tolerate transplantation more easily.
However, there is no need to rush into the event. It is imperative to give the perennial time so that it has time to accumulate sufficient nutrients that will help it grow faster in the spring. In addition, after flowering, the mother lily bulb produces babies, and if the plant is cut ahead of time, their viability will sharply decrease and the development process will stop.
If for some reason it was not possible to remove the stems for the winter, they will begin to rot under the influence of low temperature and high humidity and become a source of pests and diseases.
Pruning lilies for the winter is considered a very important agrotechnical measure.
When to cut lilies in autumn for winter
Having learned that it is recommended to prune lilies after flowering, gardeners often wonder when to start this activity. This should not be done immediately after the end of the budding period, since the procedure will have a bad effect on the health of the plant, since its growing season has not yet ended at this time.
Despite the fact that bare stems give the flowerbed an untidy appearance, it is at this moment that they actively participate in the processing of solar energy and help the bulb accumulate nutrients. Leaf plates, thanks to the process of photosynthesis, also receive vital substances, thereby ensuring the maturation of the heads and preparing them for the winter period.
When choosing the appropriate time for cutting the stems of a plant, gardeners first of all focus on the weather forecast and the climatic regions where the crop grows. The period allocated for the event is from the last days of August to the second half of October.
The first time lilies are pruned for the winter is after all the petals have fallen off the buds. In this case, only the seed pods are cut off, leaving the green stems. This is done so that the seeds do not take energy and strength from the plant. The second time work begins after the shoots and leaves turn brown or dry out; usually this moment occurs before a moderate cold snap, about a month after the last bud has faded. During such pruning, the bush is cut to a height of about 10-15 cm.
Also, before carrying out the procedure, you should take into account the vagaries of the weather. For example, if the summer is rainy and cloudy, lilies will be reluctant to bloom, but if the heat comes towards the end of summer or autumn, the buds will begin to actively form. In this situation, with the condition that in the coming days, judging by the forecasts, there will be warm weather, you can postpone pruning.
Complete removal of the above-ground parts of lilies after flowering is carried out only when they are prepared for winter
When to prune lilies in the fall in the Moscow region
In the capital of Russia and the Moscow region, the climate is relatively favorable, so they begin to prune lilies there in the fall, around the end of September, and in warm weather - at the beginning of October.
When to prune lilies for winter in Siberia
In the northern regions, including Siberia, lilies after flowering are cut off for the winter, starting in the first days of autumn. This period is dictated by the harsh climate, as well as the crop varieties. The fact is that only Asian hybrids can grow in cold conditions, which, despite the beautiful and lush buds, bloom for a short period. Already at the end of July, the bushes do not look aesthetically pleasing, their leaves dry out and their stems become bare.
When to prune lilies for the winter in the Urals
In the Urals, as well as in the Far East, the climate is harsh and similar to the conditions of Siberia, which is why they are also mainly engaged in the cultivation of Asiatic lilies. And since they are characterized by early flowering, they should be pruned for the winter in early September. Then it is advisable to cover the flower beds with special material or spruce branches.
Also, when pruning lilies after flowering, natural anomalies should be taken into account. For example, if the summer in the northern region is too hot, the period for budding will increase and continue until the second half of September. But then cold weather or even frost will come sharply, which will cause rotting of unopened buds. In this case, to prevent the bulbs from deteriorating, pruning is carried out a little earlier.
In the northern regions, tubular lily hybrids have proven themselves well
When to prune lilies in autumn in the Leningrad region
In the city of St. Petersburg and its region, climatic conditions are unique, which is why it is recommended to plant lilies of varieties that can easily tolerate high humidity, low temperatures and even minor night frosts. Of course, such varieties begin to bloom later than traditional species, but their stems do not dry out for a long time and remain green even in September. Pruning of these varieties for the winter after flowering is usually carried out from October 1 to October 15.
When to prune lilies after flowering in the South
In the Stavropol, Krasnodar Territories and other southern regions, it is recommended to prune the perennial after flowering closer to mid-autumn. But since, in addition to ordinary lilies, you can grow whimsical and most delicate varieties that bloom from late spring until October, it is advisable to take into account crop varieties when carrying out work in addition to weather conditions. For example, in the case when the petals of the buds fell off in August, the above-ground part should be cut off at the end of September, and if the flower retained its decorative appearance until the beginning of autumn, it is better to postpone the event until October.
How to prune lilies for the winter
In order for pruning a lily after flowering to bring the desired effect, it is important to do it correctly. To do this, choose a clear, not rainy day, since wet weather during work can cause the death of all the material. Sharp equipment is also used for cutting, even when the stem is dry and easily breaks.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Before starting work, the knife or pruning shears are treated with a disinfectant.
- The above-ground part is trimmed obliquely, leaving a stump of a maximum of 15 cm in height.
- Sprinkle the cut with ash if warm weather is forecast for the next week.
- Take the cut stems out of the area and burn them.
When a flower is cut for a bouquet, you should choose a bush with a large bulb and at least five buds. In this case, it is recommended to cut the stem slightly below its middle part so that the plant recovers faster.
Even a bare but apparently healthy stem is not pruned until the appropriate time.
Further care
After the lily is pruned for the winter, the plant needs special care. The most important rule is to stop moistening it, regardless of the type of perennial. It is recommended to do this so that the flower does not rot. For the same purpose, in case of heavy rainfall, especially careful gardeners cover the flower beds with film, but at the same time ventilate them daily. Also, after the pruning process, the plants are treated with fungicides such as Khoma or Fitosporin; this procedure is also carried out in neighboring beds where other crops grow. In regions with a harsh climate, lilies are covered with artificial materials or spruce branches for the winter, and if after pruning the bulbs are dug up and placed in containers with sand, they are fed with compost.
Conclusion
It is mandatory to prune lilies after flowering for the winter, but it is recommended to select the time for the procedure taking into account the region where the crop grows.This event helps keep the bulbs intact and promotes their lush flowering next year. If you prune perennials for the winter as recommended by the rules, their chances of surviving frosts well increase significantly.
