Asiatic Lily Care And Growing Guide

What Are Asiatic Lilies?

Asiatic lilies are a gardener's delight. They offer stunning blooms in late spring or early summer. These trumpet-shaped beauties, unlike their fragrant Oriental cousins, boast little to no scent.

But what they lack in perfume, they make up for in ease of care. Thriving in full sun with well-drained soil, these low-maintenance flowers are perfect for both beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.

How to Care for Asiatic Lily?

Asiatic lilies care is made easy with these simple steps-

1. Water

Water regularly, but allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. This helps prevent root rot. During hot summers, they may need watering every day or every other day to maintain 1-2 inches of water per week.

2. Light

Asiatic lilies thrive in full sun, ideally at least 6 hours daily. However, their roots prefer cooler temperatures. So, planting them where they get afternoon shade or mulching around the base can help.

3. Soil

Well-drained soil is crucial for happy Asiatic lilies. Asiatic lily white, black or any other variety, they require a loamy soil mix. Loam is a combination of sand, silt, and clay particles that offers good drainage while retaining some moisture.

But if you have clay soil, it is a good news because they tend to hold onto too much water. It might cause a problem, but you might make it work if you improve the drainage and add organic matter like compost, aged manure, or peat moss. Sandy soil, on the other hand, drains water too quickly. Thus, you need to ass compost which will help retain the moisture.

4. Humidity

Asiatic lilies prefer moderate humidity levels, ideally around 70-80% relative humidity. This allows them to efficiently take in moisture and nutrients while reducing the risk of diseases. It helps with nutrient uptake and overall plant health. Similarly, humidity reduces the risk of bud abortion, especially during flowering.

But, if the humidity level increases, it also increases the chance of fungal diseases like botrytis. Which, as a result, causes the flowers to wilt or become distorted. So, to maintain the humidity level, place your close together to help increase localized humidity around the plants.

5. Temperature

Be it black Asiatic lily or any other variety, they are cool weather lovers. These plants ideally grow  55-65°F (13-18°C) during emergence, then 60-68°F (16-20°C) throughout growth. Similarly, they can survive in temperatures as low as -35°F (-37°C).

6. Fertilizer 

Asiatic lilies are light feeders, so they don't require frequent fertilization. A single feeding in spring is enough to give them a boost. But once you feed, make sure to use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (like a 10-10-10 blend) when new growth emerges. 

Remember, a little goes a long way, so follow the application instructions carefully to avoid overfertilizing your lilies.

7. Pruning 

Asiatic lilies are low-maintenance beauties that don't require much pruning throughout the growing season. When the plant is actively growing in spring and summer, resist the urge to prune the stems and leaves. These healthy parts are essential for photosynthesis, which helps the plant produce energy for blooms and future growth.

In fall, the foliage will naturally turn brown and die back after the first frost. This is perfectly normal and allows the plant to go dormant for winter. You can then remove the dead stems at this point. If you'd like to enjoy Asiatic lilies indoors, cut the flower stems for arrangements. However, remember to leave at least one-third of the stem on the plant. This remaining foliage is still essential for the plant's health and future flower production.

8. Propagating

Division is the easiest and fastest propagating method, and it is best done in the fall when plants are dormant. To do so, simply dig up the bulbs and gently separate the smaller bulblets that have formed around the main bulb. Each bulblet, with some roots attached, can be planted on its own to grow into a new lily plant.

The second option is scale propagation, which might take longer but allows you to get more new plants from a single bulb. After the flowers have faded in fall, carefully peel off a few healthy outer scales from the main bulb. Plant these scales in a pot with a well-draining potting mix, pointy side up. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Over time, bulblets will form at the base of the scales, which can then be grown into new lily plants.

9. Harvesting 

To enjoy Asiatic lilies as cut flowers, harvest them early in the morning or evening when the buds show color but haven't opened yet. Use sharp tools to make a clean cut on the stem, removing at least a third of the stem height while leaving some leaves on the plant.

Plop the stems in cool water right away, and remove any leaves that will be submerged in the vase. With these steps, your beautiful Asiatic lily blooms will grace your arrangements for up to a week!

Types of Asiatic Lily

Some popular types of Asiatic Lily are-

•  Lilium Apricot Fudge: This striking variety offers a creamy orange color and fragrant, upright blooms.

•  Lilium Blackstone: The petals of Blackstone lilies are deep burgundy, almost black, with a shiny surface that contrasts with deep orange anthers.

•  Lilium Forever Susan: Forever Susan's flowers fade from deep orange centers to purple petals with deep yellow edges. So, plant this two-tone lily to add drama to your garden.

•  Lilium Sundew: This double lily adds a vivid yellow color accented with a splash of dark red freckles. Because this hybrid lacks pollen, it's cleaner in cut flower arrangements.

How to Grow Asiatic Lily in Pots?

Start the process by choosing a pot with drainage holes. Then, choose a location with at least 6 hours of daily sunshine. As these flowers prefer cool roots, afternoon shade or mulching around the pot's base helps. 

Secondly, use a well-draining potting mix, but if you are using soil that might be clay-heavy or sandy, amend it with compost or organic matter to improve drainage. Lastly, plant the bulbs in late summer or early fall, positioning them 8 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart with the flat end facing down.

Asiatic lily care in pots requires regular watering and feeding a balanced fertilizer. After blooming, deadhead the flowers but leave the foliage intact. With proper care, your Asiatic lilies will reward you with stunning blooms year after year.

Caring for Asiatic Lily After It Blooms

To coax beautiful blooms from your Asiatic lilies, focus on mimicking their natural preferences. Plant them in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Use well-drained soil, amending it with compost if needed.

Water regularly, but let the top inch dry out between watering. In spring, give them a single feeding with balanced fertilizer.

How Long Do Asiatic Lilies Bloom?

Asiatic lilies are known for their impressive blooming period. You can expect them to put on a show for quite a while. Each flower on an Asiatic lily stalk typically lasts up to two weeks. Meanwhile, the entire plant, with multiple flowers on a stalk, can continuously bloom for up to four weeks in early summer.

Deadheading 

Deadheading is the process of removing spent flowers on your Asiatic lilies. It not only keeps your plants looking tidy but also encourages more blooms and strengthens the bulb for next year's show.

So, after flowering, deadhead the blooms but keep the leaves to nourish the bulb. With proper care, your Asiatic lilies should reward you with a vibrant display year after year.

How to Grow Asiatic Lily From Seed

The Asiatic lily, a perennial favorite, brings vibrant blooms to the garden year after year. They are often hybrids, so the seeds you plant may not produce flowers that look exactly like the parent plant. Still, it's a fun way to experiment and potentially create unique blooms, but there's no guarantee.

Unlike growing from bulbs, which flower within a year, lilies grown from seed can take anywhere from three to seven years to produce their first blooms. If you have existing Asiatic lilies, you can collect seeds from the seedpods in the fall after they dry out.

But remember, growing lilies from seed requires patience and attention to detail. However, if you're up for the challenge, it can be a rewarding experience to see your own unique blooms emerge after a few years.

• Planting: In early spring, sow the seeds in a pot filled with well-draining potting mix. Lightly cover them with soil and keep the soil moist but not soggy.

• Light and Warmth: Provide the pot with bright, indirect light for 14-16 hours a day. If natural light isn't sufficient, you might need to grow them under lights while also keeping the temperature warm (around 70°F).

• Germination and Care: Seedlings should emerge in 4-6 weeks. Once established, water regularly and fertilize with a diluted solution every two weeks.

• Harden Off: Before transplanting outdoors in late spring or early summer, harden off the seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasing periods.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

While relatively low-maintenance, Asiatic lilies still can be susceptible to a few common pests and diseases, such as-

Pests

Aphids

These tiny sap-sucking insects can stunt growth and distort leaves. So, look for clusters of green, red, or black aphids on the stems and leaves.

Thrips

These small, flying insects feed on flower buds and leaves, causing them to appear discolored and distorted.

Diseases

Botrytis Blight

This fungal disease thrives in cool, humid conditions. It causes brown spots and wilting on flowers, stems, and leaves.

Basal Rot

This fungal disease attacks the bulb's base, causing the stem to yellow and wilt.

Managing Techniques

For both pests and diseases, prevention is key. Therefore, ensure good air circulation around your lilies and avoid overhead watering. But if you already see signs of infestation or disease, address them promptly using insecticidal soap, neem oil, or fungicides specifically labeled for lilies.

Early intervention can prevent severe damage and keep your Asiatic lilies thriving.

Common Problems of Asiatic Lily

Besides, pests and diseases, here are certainly other issues that might arise in your Asiatic lilies. Here's a breakdown to help you diagnose the issue:

Leaves Turning Yellow

Asiatic lily leaves turning yellow can be caused by a few things, but the most common culprits are overwatering and nutrient deficiencies. This yellowing process typically starts with the lower leaves first.

You might also see brown spots on the yellowing leaves. What might be the cause, you ask?  Excess moisture around the roots prevents them from getting enough oxygen, leading to root rot.

Furthermore, a lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen, magnesium, or iron can also contribute to the yellowing of the leaves. This can happen if the soil is poor in nutrients or if the plant hasn't been fertilized in a while.

As a solution, you can start by adjusting your watering habits and fertilizing it accordingly. As discussed above, you must also ensure proper drainage by adding compost or other organic matter to the soil. 

Brown Spots on Leaves

Brown spots on your Asiatic lily leaves can be caused by a fungal disease or improper watering. Fungal diseases, like botrytis blight, thrive in cool, humid conditions and show up as brown spots that grow bigger.

Overwatering can also lead to brown spots, especially on lower leaves, as excess moisture weakens the roots and hinders their ability to fight off fungal infections.

So, keep an eye out for these factors and adjust watering or apply a fungicide if necessary to keep your lily leaves healthy.

Holes in Leaves

Holes in your Asiatic lily leaves are likely caused by munching pests. So, if you see signs of these pests, take action quickly.