Introduction: This is part 2 of an article written by legendary lily grower – Jan De Graaff in 1961. Where he recounts his journey large scale lily growing. Read Part 1 on Growing Lilies Big Time here.
Different Flowering Seasons & Growth Habits
The greatest value of these new plants lies not in their variety of form and color, in their different flowering seasons and growth habits, but rather in their hardiness and increased resistance to pests and diseases. Their ready adjustment to varying conditions, their vigor and persistence under adversity, these are qualities that outweigh many refinements of color and form.
Perfect Soil & Air Drainage
Lilies must have perfect soil drainage. Air drainage is important, too, for a good breeze can keep many garden pests and diseases away. If your site is level and the soil heavy, dig a round hole 18 inches deep and 12 inches wide for each bulb. Fill the hole with 6 inches of gravel on the bottom and a mixture of one half sandy loam, one fourth leafmold and one fourth river sand. Place some extra sand under and around the bulb and take care not to damage the roots.
Lilies Need Sunlight
Lilies need sunlight, at least until midafternoon. Filtered sunlight or semi-shade may bring out the more delicate colors, but it tends to make weak stems and flowers of poor substance. Do not plant lilies near house walls, walks or drives that reflect sunlight or heat.
WHITE ELF and the Cascade Strain of Lilium candidum should be planted with not more than 1 inch of settled soil over the top of the bulbs. All other lilies need not more than 4 inches of soil over them.
Lilies are gross feeders and root deeply. They need a porous, well aerated soil, rich in humus and well-balanced plant food. They like a good mulch of well rotted cow manure, rich compost or decaying leafmold. This can be applied several times during the growing season. The mulch keeps the soil cool, discourages weed growth and eliminates the need for surface cultivation which might injure stem roots. Shallow rooted groundcovers keep the ground shaded. Do not expect your lilies to compete with strong growing perennials or shrubs.
Like all plants, lilies need their stems and foliage to manufacture food for the next year’s growth. Thus, it is beneficial to cut the flowers only and to prevent the plants from setting seed.
Natural Fertilizers
Natural fertilizers, such as well rotted cow manure are ideal. A handful of balanced fertilizer scattered over every few feet and a pound of wood ashes per every 20 square feet, repeated two or three times during the growing season, will help keep the lilies strong and healthy. If your soil and water are alkaline, then two or three times during the growing season scatter a pinch or two of agricultural sulphur over the soil surface and water it in. Peatmoss, being slightly acid, is good for lilies. It provides an ideal medium for the stem roots when used as a mulch.
Lily bulbs are never completely dormant. They must be shipped as soon as possible after digging and so, should be ordered as early as possible. If the bulbs are slightly limp upon arrival, place them in wet peatmoss for a few days.
Never plant new bulbs where other lilies have failed to grow. And, never plant them in heavy, soggy soil.
Growing new lilies and finding a market for them is “big business.” One encounters all the difficulties and hardships that are part and parcel of the business world, in addition to those incident to the raising of a sensitive new horticultural crop. For all of that, in spite of the worries and difficulties involved, I can say that I know of no other business which gives satisfaction in such full measure.
To see acre upon acre of these stately new lilies in their exotic splendor, to have a hand in the shaping for the garden flowers of the future and to be among the first to see and appreciate them, is a great and high privilege. Looking ahead, I am tempted to predict that with the infinite amount of work still to be done, the many new hybrids still to be developed and with all the problems that the business world thrusts upon us, the first ten years have been the easiest. I, nevertheless, feel confident about the future, for the beauty of the lily can never be denied.
