How to properly fertilize lilies in spring and summer

Contents:

1. Why do lilies need fertilization?
2. Types of fertilizers for lilies
3. Fertilizer application rules
4. Fertilizing stages
5. Signs of nutrient deficiency
6. Transplanting lilies after flowering
7. Recommendations from experienced gardeners

Daylilies and lilies are popular decorations for summer cottages. These bulbous crops are valued for their luxurious flowering and a large selection of varieties. But in order for the plant to please you with bright large flowers, you need to use seasonal fertilizers for lilies. However, it is not enough to know what to fertilize lilies with. It is important to observe the dosage and follow a proven scheme. Recommendations from experienced gardeners are collected in this article.

Why do lilies need fertilization?

Spring feeding of lilies stimulates abundant, long-lasting flowering. Fertilizer can be applied after winter only after the soil has warmed up. This way the roots will receive adequate nutrition, since the fertilizer will not be washed away by melt water. In continental climate zone, the first fertilization of lilies is carried out in May. The right time can be determined by the length of the sprouts. If they are higher than 10 cm (0.3 ft), and the leaves deviate to the sides, it is time to fertilize the flower beds. But it should be remembered that fertilizers can both help and harm. Excess nutrients inhibit the development of the root system. So, if the soil is not depleted, spring activities can be skipped.

When the first buds begin to form, ornamental plants need special care. And novice gardeners are interested in what to feed lilies in June before flowering? At this time, it is recommended to use ammonium nitrate and insecticides to combat pests, and in July – superphosphate and potassium magnesium sulfate to strengthen the stems and make the flowers more colorful. During the flowering period, garden plants are fertilized with ready-made liquid preparations, after thoroughly watering the flower beds.

Types of fertilizers for lilies

Top dressing of lilies before flowering during the budding period saturates the soil with nitrogen. You can use minerals or nitrogen-containing organic matter (mullein, ash). Manure concentrate is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. Ash is diluted in water at the rate of 1 glass per bucket. The ash solution is added once during watering or little by little throughout the spring. Humus (compost or manure) and ammonium nitrate with ammophoska have a good effect on the crop. The dosage of mineral fertilizers is 1 tbsp per 1 m2.

Summer fertilizing will prolong flowering. Rules for using fertilizers:

1. During the budding period, preparations containing phosphorus and nitrogen (azophos, nitrophos) are suitable at the rate of 1 tbsp. per 1 bucket of water.
2. When choosing what to fertilize lilies with during flowering, ammophoska, azofoska or nitroammophoska are most often used. Dosage: 1.5 tbsp. per 10 liters (2.6 gal) of water.
3. Ash is added simultaneously with the ready-made complexes. It is needed for lush flowering. The norm is 100 g (3.5 oz) of ash per 1 m2.

Fertilizer application rules

Regardless of the variety grown, fertilizing lilies in spring and summer is simply necessary. Perennials respond well to care, but you should not get carried away with additional feeding. Liquid preparations are absorbed better, but used in excess can burn the roots. Dry compositions do not dissolve well in the soil when there is a moisture deficit, so when using them, you should moisten the soil well.

An important nuance: for 2 years after planting in fertile soil, you do not have to worry about what to feed the lilies for abundant flowering, since the soil already contains enough nutrients. Feeding the plants during this period will lead to the fact that the bulbs will grow, and the inflorescences will become smaller.

Fertilizing stages

Flower fertilization is carried out in 4 main stages:

1. In early spring, when the snow melts and the ground warms up above +6 °C (43 °F), use ammonium nitrate at a dosage of 1 tbsp. per 1 m2. The dry preparation is distributed at the base of the plants. Another option is urea, along with which a solution of wood ash is added (250 g (8.8 oz) per 10 l (2.6 gl). It is recommended to use organic fertilizers together with agrochemicals. One of the popular compositions is liquid manure. Cow manure is mixed with water 1:4, insisted for 12 days, stirring. The concentrate is diluted with water 1:10. However, it is more convenient to use ready-made complex preparations. One of the popular ones is “Ideal”. Take 1 tbsp. of the preparation per bucket of water. Water the flowerbeds at the rate of 2 liters (0.5 gl) of solution per 1 m2.
2. In late spring and early summer, use fertilizers for growth and the formation of bright large flowers. Choose fertilizers with phosphorus and nitrogen (azofoska, nitroammophoska). Prepare the fertilizer from 1.5 tbsp. and 10 liters (2.6 gl) of water. Lily responds well to fertilization with ammonia. To prepare the solution, take 3 liters (0.8 gl) of water and 1 teaspoon of ammonia. Use for spraying flowers at sunset.
3. Lilies bloom in midsummer. To extend this period, fertilize the flowerbeds with nitroammophoska or potassium humate. The drug “Stimul” is used as a foliar fertilizer. It is suitable not only for lilies, but also for roses and other ornamental plants.
4. The final stage of care is soil treatment with potassium magnesium sulfate. The time is August, when the lilies have finished blooming. Fertilizing will ensure abundant flowering in the future. Fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium work well, for example, potassium magnesium sulfate and superphosphate.

Signs of nutrient deficiency

The choice of what to feed lilies depends on the signs of deficiency of certain elements. Below are the obvious symptoms of deficiency:

• nitrogen – leaves are pale green, yellow in places;
• potassium – the plant grows poorly, buds develop slowly;
• phosphorus – delayed development of flowers, leaves fade and dry out;
• magnesium – leaves become pale, edges curl;
• calcium – leaves become deformed and fall off.

Transplanting lilies after flowering

Although this delicate flower does not like to be replanted, it is necessary to do so, since the lily can poison itself. The fact is that its bulbs gradually release harmful elements into the soil, the accumulation of which over time leads to the plant becoming smaller and sick, and eventually dying. To prevent this, you need to replant lilies to another place from time to time. You can return a transplanted flower to its old place after 5 years.

Another reason why lilies need to be replanted is their active growth. The bulb becomes overgrown with small bulblets, which also require nutrition. Because of this, the lily weakens, becomes smaller, and produces fewer buds. After a couple of years, the root becomes overgrown with a cluster of daughter bulblets. It is recommended to separate them and plant them one by one on the plot in August–September.

Recommendations from experienced gardeners

If the soil is fertile or already fertilized with complex preparations, it is not necessary to feed the lilies during the first year or two. Otherwise, it is recommended to adhere to the following feeding scheme:

• • • when the sprouts rise to 15 cm (4 inch), water the soil with a solution of calcium nitrate, repeat after 10 days;
    • Before the start of abundant flowering, use “Kemira Lux”;
    • During the budding period, use potassium magnesium sulfate to make the flowers brighter.

Adherents of home methods of feeding fertilize flower beds with yeast, chicken manure, wood ash. Lilies respond especially well to the latter, the bulbs become large and healthy. It is applied several times throughout the season. Folk remedies are used in parallel with agrochemicals, and not instead of them. Timely application of suitable fertilizers will support lilies at all stages of development, will help to resist pests and diseases.