Lilium cultivation in India is a very profitable agribusiness. Lilium grows in open fields in the states of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim. Commercial cultivation of lilium can be done under protected cultivation inside a polyhouse anywhere in India. Oriental and Asiatic hybrids of Lilium are recognized as true Lilium genus while commonly called “lily” flowers are not linked with true lilies. They are mainly used as cut flowers.
Popular Lilium Varieties
| Hybrid | Characteristics | Varieties |
|---|---|---|
| Oriental hybrid | Considerably large flowers (6-8 ‘’), highly aromatic and in general grow in red, purple, white and pink colours; bloom naturally during late summer however, excluding a few hybrids, Oriental cannot be preserved for more than 9 months. Which is why they often become scarce during Jan to Mar. In many places, nonetheless, through forcing and under greenhouse they are grown throughout the year. | Star Gazer (pink and white), Acapulco Siberia, Nerostar, (pink)/ Casablanca Eastern, Elegant Lady, Croft, Harbo, Snow Queen. (purple, pink, white) |
| Asiatic hybrids | Appear with smaller blooms (3-4″); having no fragrance and found in extensive colour ranges including shades of yellow, gold, orange, pink, and white. Even though its natural blossoming season is late spring and early summer, as Asiatic bulbs can be preserved in coolers, they are virtually grown and marketed throughout the year through forcing methods. Another advantage of growing Asiatic lilies is that they are short term crop types with 80-90 days harvesting period that offer higher yield opposed to Oriental that takes nearly 80-140 days depending on its hybrid. | Dreamland (yellow), Vivaldi (pink), Yellow Giant (yellow), Brunello (orange), Pollyanna (yellow), Novona (white), Black Out (red) |
Propagation of Lilium
The approach of propagating lilies by means of the vegetative bulb scaling is not only easy, cost-effective but equally steadier and faster method of multiplying clones. With this, you can have new plants containing the desired characteristics of that parent plant which is not possible through seeds. Especially for commercial growers who intend to produce the finest class of plant and having consistency of a category of plant to enhance yield, vegetative propagation is the best choice. In fact, this has been the most popular method of propagating lilium. All you need to do is
- Diligent selection of hearty bulbs without having a trace of disease or nutrient deficiency;
- Washing away all dirt and debris found on the body of the bulbs.
- Dip them in fungicide like thiabendazole and keep in a sterilised container;
- Store at 2-6 degree C to break dormancy for 6-7 weeks and find stem roots.
- Bulbs can be stored up to one year at 2 degree C.
Technical Requirement for Lilium Farming
Soil
Loamy porous soil enriched with fertile organic matter is the best for lilium. Ensure that the land is well drained while its PH contain must be maintained within the range of 5.5 – 6.5 for oriental hybrids and 6-7 for Asiatic species.
Temperature
Ideal temperature required for higher productivity is 20-25 degree C during the day and 10-15 degree C at night.
Light requirement
Reap the best advantage of cultivating lilium in a greenhouse environment and ensure that they’re not grown under direct sunlight. The shading screen must be UV protected to lower the intensity of sun beams up to 50% which is recommended for lily culture. Remember, as higher light intensity reduces the vigour of the stem equally, very low intensity especially during winter leads to less lively and miscarriage of flowers. Consider having a supplementary lighting source during the chilly season.
Sowing and Plating
Before planting, make sure that the bulbs you pick for showing are bigger and steady enough which determine the length of stems plus the size and number of flowering per stem. Sort out the bulbs, which are having a minimum span of 8-10 cm when it comes to producing Oriental hybrid flowers and for Asiatic lilies choose you should stick to bulbs with 22-24 cm circumference to maximise your yield. On selection, dip the bulbs for 10-15 seconds in fungicide solutions to avoid root decaying and induce turgidity in plants.
Planting Depth
If bulbs are not sown keeping adequate space for allowing the stem roots to develop properly, it’ll lead to unhealthy growth of shoots and poor plantation. In order to obtain the highest quality flowers, the depth of planting bulbs should be minimum 6’’ below the topsoil. The first six weeks are very delicate when the stems’ roots supply the needed moisture and nutrients to the growing plant for its potential growth. Therefore, avoid shallow planting and go with the thumb rule that the depth of planting should be 3 times than the bulb diameter. (Since the size of bulb often changes)
Planting Density and Spacing
| Bulb Size | Bulbs per square metre | Spacing |
| 8-10 cm | 48 | 15 x 15 |
| 10-12 cm | 40 | 16 x 16 |
| 12- 14 cm | 36 | 16 x 18 |
| 14-16 cm | 34 | 18 x 18 |
Fertigation
When it comes to fertilising, you need to remember that being a bulbous crop, lilium grows with innate nutrients present in the bulb. Secondly, the crop is extremely salt sensitive, which is why while applying fertilisers, make sure to stick to the standard guidelines.
- Prior to plantation prepare the land with mono ammonium phosphate 12:61:00@ 2kg / 100 SQ MT.
- NO need to apply any additional fertiliser for 3 weeks after planting. Just maintain the plant depth as suggested above and plant will develop on its own with good root system
- After three weeks introduce Calcium Nitrate @ 1 kg/100 SQ MT
- After six weeks introduce Potassium nitrate @ 1 kg/100 SQ MT
- If a plant emerges with symptoms of nitrogen deficiency, consider applying a top dressing with Ammonium Nitrate@ 1 kg/100 SQ MT after 3 weeks.
Forcing
Forcing has now been a popular method implemented by gardeners to meet high market demand for cut flowers like lilium, regardless of the weather condition. For Asiatic hybrids, bulbs need to be stored in chilled temperature 2-45 degree C for 6 weeks, and 8 weeks for Oriental species. You need to maintain 21 degree C temperature during the day and 16 degree C temperature during the night inside the Greenhouse for forcing.
Irrigation
Given that the stem roots rise from the top soil, it is vital that the top soil part should be kept drenched incessantly especially during the growing phase of the bulbs. As you should ensure not to supply excess watering or allow stagnation that causes rotting roots, consistent shallow watering is essential to let your plants bloom. The amount of watering during dry time can be as high as 8-10 litres/ per square metre/ per day.
Diseases
Root Rot
Symptom – Infected bulb stem roots appear with brownish spots, narrow and faded leaves with clear signs. Plants cannot grow normally and bear smaller flowers.
Management – Need to disinfect soil with non-toxic chemicals and spray plants with Dithane M/45 @ 0.2 %.
Bulb / Scale Rot
Plant growth is hindered and leaves look pale. Stems under the soil may appear with dark brown stains which spread afterwards and destroy the stem. Infected bulb sales look dark brown while the base of the bulbs and scales start decaying.
Management- Considering prevention is the best method, before planting bulbs disinfect them by dipping them into captan@0.2% + benlate@0.2%. Make sure to keep the soil temperature low during dry time by frequent shallow watering.
Leaf Spots
Infected leaves appear with 1-2 mm diameter dark brown spots which increase in size and form oval shapes causing leaves and flowers to wipe out eventually.
Management- Reduce the amount of irrigation and drench the soil with Benlate @ 5gram/ SQ.MT.
Pest/ Virus
Virus Infestation
Research findings show that Liliums are infected by almost 11 types of virus and among them the most frustrating and damaging ones are tulip colour breaking virus, lily symptomless virus, cucumber mosaic virus, etc,. Infected plants produce inferior class flowers and often get deformed.
Solution:
Plant the healthiest bulbs and scales only; when plants become 6 ‘’ tall, examine them for mosaic virus. For all kinds of virus attack, dispose of the affected plant to stop the epidemic; make sure that you use well-sterilised tools for planting. Soak tools with bleach@10% or ethyl alcohol @70% before use.
Pests
Aphids- affects growth of young leaves buds and cause deformed flowers.
Mix Nuvan @ 2ml per litre of water and spray.
Thrips – Sucks juice of flowers and stops them growing.
Apply Monocrotophos @ 2 ml mixing with a litre of water and spray on leaves and flowers.
Harvesting
In general, it takes 90-130 days for flowers to bloom and be ready for harvesting. Make sure that it’s not too early when bulbs are yet to develop and equally not too late when bulbs become fully open leads to damaging of flowers during transit.
Post Harvest Management
Carefully pick the flowers from the plant, rinse in a solution of silver nitrate 50 PPM and Sucrose@5% that helps extend their vase life. Store 2-5 degree C for one 7-10 days.
Grading
Gradation of lily flowers should be done by 1) sorting the number of flowers/ buds per stem 2) length of stems. Removal of leaves up to 10-15 cm of the stem before packing improves the packing quality which is essential for marketing.
Yield
On average potential yield is likely to be 30-40 flowers per stem SQ MT.