This is the 5th article in the series. In this article i will share with you the tips for growing flowering bulbs in warm climates – Oriental lily. There are many varieties of lily available in lahore in fall. Few of them are as follows:
1- Easter Lily – lilium longiflorum- White fragrant flower. Very costly. A 14 inches pot costs more than 250 Rs. It is one of few lilies which are perennial in lahore and you do not need to buy them every year. Blooms in late Spring and early summer.
2- Tiger lily – yet to see it in lahore
3- Amaryllis lily – will discuss in next article. The local one costs around 50 Rs while imported is around 300-500 Rupees depending upon bulb size. Normally the holland bulb is Rs 500 which is very large.
4- Asiatic lily – non scented trumpet flowers. Dies in lahore summers
5- Oriental lily – fragrant trumpet flowers. Dies in summer as soon as temp. hits 40c. Price of each bulb was 60Rs per bulb.
6- Regal lily – Lilium regale – Not available in lahore. The easiest to raise from seeds. Very fragrant flowers. Also called christmas lily
And Oriental lily is the one i am going to grow in this article. They came in three colors this year. White, pink and red. Here goes on growing instructions:
1- Choose biggest bulb. They come with roots and some of foliage already sprouting.
2- Bury the bulb in a well drained soil having compost. Bury whole bulb at least 4-6 inches under soil. Purpose of deep planting is to have stem roots which are very important.
3- Water it well and then do not water until you see progress above ground. Water as less as possible afterwards.
4- Give it semi shade in lahore although they enjoy full sun in winters and then semi shade in april onwards. Try to plant them in groups. They will look very pretty in groups.
This is the growth after 2 week of planting.
5- And this is the progress after around 1.5 months.
6- One bulb will produce around 3-7 flowers. Give it a little liquid fertilizer when buds appear.
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Saving lily for next year
7- For saving for next year, cut the stems after they turn brown after flowering. Then clean the bulbs and remove any roots and stems. Wash with water and let them dry in shade. Then put them in wet peat moss in fridge until September. Plant again on September 15 in southern plains like lahore and karachi.
Next bulb: Freesia
I love Oriental lilies and their fragrance. I can’t wait til it’s time to plant then here.
I love oriental lilies as well. In fact, all lilies are just awesome. Nothing beats their showy beauty, variation in color, and how easy are they to grow too?!
I look forward to reading about the freesia.
HI
Most informative and interesting, I have been a keen gardener for over 40 years since 5 years old in UK in a tiny fully paved backyard that was only 20ft x 15ft my interest has taken me to develop a 2acre garden in the UK.
But having completed a house rebuild in Jhelum I have a soil garden plot to design and fill about 200ft x 40ft. I want something fairly creative and having searched about 10 local nurseries find they seem to stock similar plants, not sure if Pattoki or nurseries in lahore would be any differant?
At this early stage I am looking for a single central ornamental tree or three in a row of about 8ft x 4ft that flower/shade, I had thought of Floss Silk Tree (Chorisia speciosa) but am not sure having travelled far would find them stocking it. Do you have any knowledge of a good stockist of this or similar tree species.
There are few trees which would flower in shade. A few include oaks, ashes,maples and elms.
Floss Silk Tree is one of most beautiful trees and suitable to climate of lahore and prehaps jhelum as well. It is called “budha tree” in local language. In hindi its name is “resham rui”.But i doubt if it will flower in shade. You must try pattoki nurseries. why not call them and ask them on phone. This link might help you.
http://lahoregardening.blogspot.com/2009/07/best-of-pattoki-plant-nurseries.html
Lahore nursery http://lahorenursery.com/ in lahore and abbas nursery in lahore (042-35863277) are worth a try as well. Also try Mr. Muddasir of Muddasir nursery at 0333-4233825 . I hope you will find what you want.
Thank you for the details I will let you know how I get on, I should have clarified that i wanted the Floss Silk tree to grow in our soon to be developed garden in Jhelum not the UK.
I dont suppose there would be any chance of that tree growing here although i have successfully grown a Malok and a Loquat from seed in the UK, both are now well over 15 feet but dont set fruit
nice job dear, please keep it up 🙂
Great article.. It’s fun to grow bulbs… very rewarding!
I love Easter Lily – lilium longiflorum- White fragrant flower. Can I save the bulb for next year in Lahore.
@Asim, It takes lots of effort and good luck to save it in lahore. Keep it in soil bed and keep it in shade in hot summers.
Although easter lily is an annual in lahore.