Content
It is no secret that flower growers who are partial to lilies acquire new varieties, wanting to grow these unique and delightful flowers in their flowerbeds. Planting new varieties is an exciting event that evokes only positive emotions from the anticipation of enjoying divine beauty.
And sometimes, even if all planting rules and regulations are followed, plants get sick or grow slowly. But luxurious blooms are the whole point of growing flowers. It is imperative to fertilize lilies. You just need to know in advance when, how and what to feed lilies in the spring so that they delight with lush flowering and an intoxicating aroma.
Feeding lilies during planting
Proper planting of lilies involves more than just choosing a suitable location and planting the bulbs. First of all, it is necessary to add to the soil the substances that plants need for growth and flowering. After all, they will have to grow in one place for several years without transplantation. The composition of the soil during this period decreases significantly. And over time, plants no longer lack minerals and nutrients.
The first feeding of lilies in the spring is carried out during the planting process. For successful rooting and active growth of green mass, flowers are fertilized with organic fertilizers. The only exception is fresh, unrotted manure, which often causes fungal diseases and the death of bulbs.
In the process of preparing the soil for planting, add compost or humus in an amount of 7-8 kg and double superphosphate 100 grams per 1 m². They love lilies and wood ash very much, so if possible, add 100 grams of ash per 1 m², and they will thank you not only with abundant and luxurious flowering. Ash increases frost resistance and resistance of plants to many diseases.
In the absence of organic matter, you can feed the lilies with any mineral fertilizers. The main thing is that the following elements are present in the composition:
- nitrogen;
- potassium;
- phosphorus.
Apply fertilizers in accordance with the recommendations for use indicated on the packaging.
It is possible to exclude the first feeding of lilies when planting only if the soil is fertile and richly enriched with humus. An excess of nutrients is just as undesirable as a deficiency.
How to feed lilies before flowering
In early spring, all plants need nitrogen.They need this element for the active growth of stems and foliage. A lack of nitrogen affects both the appearance of flowers and their resistance to disease.
The first feeding of lilies can be done in early spring, during the period of active snow melting. Urea or ammonium nitrate in granules is scattered over the flower bed. The norm is 2 tbsp. l. fertilizers per 1 m².
This fertilizing method is only suitable if the flower garden is not located on a slope and melt water does not drain from it. In this case, all nutrients will be washed away by melting snow or rain. Therefore, such areas are fertilized only after the snow has completely melted, the soil begins to dry out, and the first long-awaited green leaves of lilies appear from under the ground.
It is advisable to administer all fertilizers in liquid form, since the process of assimilation of nutrients occurs several times faster than when fertilizing with granules. You can feed lilies in the spring for active growth with mullein infusion or urea solution diluted with water in a ratio of 1 tbsp. l. on a bucket of water. Water the flower garden at the rate of 10 liters of solution per 1 m².
Feeding lilies in spring for flowering
The second feeding of lilies for flowering is carried out in the spring, no less than 2-3 weeks after the first. When caring for lilies in the garden, it is important to remember that organic and mineral fertilizers must be alternated.
Flowers can be fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers in the spring no more than twice. The last time you can feed lilies is in May, before the plant enters the budding phase. As soon as the first buds appear, the fertilizing needs to be changed.
How to feed lilies during budding
During the budding period, lilies are fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. They affect the number and size of buds, the brightness of flower color and the duration of flowering. Nitroammofoska (Azofoska), or any other complex fertilizer is perfect.
It is advisable to administer this fertilizer in liquid form for better digestibility and quick effect. Nitroammophoska is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 tbsp. on a bucket. This volume is designed for watering 1 m².
Flowers also respond well to foliar feeding. The main thing is to adhere to the dosage and administration rules indicated on the packaging.
There are many fertilizers designed to fertilize bulbous flowers. They are a source of balanced and well-chosen elements needed by plants during different periods of the growing season. It is important to choose the right ones that are intended for feeding lilies during the budding period.
The second summer feeding is introduced during the lush flowering of lilies in order to prolong this wonderful period. Complex fertilizers containing microelements are introduced into the soil in liquid form in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations.
It is advisable to add wood ash to the soil once at a rate of 100 g per 1 m² during the summer season, which is combined with any summer fertilizing.
Secrets of autumn feeding of lilies
In autumn, after abundant flowering, lilies also need feeding.The plant devoted a lot of energy to the formation of buds, and during this period it is extremely important to help the flowers compensate for the lack of nutrients and fully prepare for winter.
Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers will help increase the winter hardiness of the bulbs and provide the plants with the necessary elements. The first feeding of lilies is carried out in early autumn during the process of caring for the plants. In 10 liters of water you need to dilute:
- double superphosphate - 1 tbsp. l.
- potassium magnesium – 1.5 tbsp. l.
Please note that superphosphates do not dissolve well in cold water, so to prepare a nutrient solution, the water needs to be warmed up a little. The watering rate is 1 bucket per 1 m².
The second autumn feeding can be combined with measures to care for lilies. In the process of preparing plants for winter, the soil in the flower garden is loosened, renewed, or a mulch layer is laid. Mulch will not only help the bulbs withstand winter frosts, but will also serve as a kind of fertilizer throughout the next season. The minimum thickness of the mulch layer should be at least 10-12 cm.
The author of the video will tell you what you can feed lilies for lush flowering.
Conclusion
Information on how and what to feed lilies in spring, summer and autumn is of paramount importance for those who decide to grow them. After all, in order for these luxurious flowers to decorate your garden plot with their inimitable beauty, it is important to follow the norms and timing of fertilizing. As you can see, this event does not take much time, but the riot of colors and flowers amazes throughout the entire season.
