Lilium Monadelphum.
Let us follow the life of the lily through the year and see how each particular season has its special work and dangers.
We have planted our bulbs in November. They will do nothing but form roots till about March. During this period most bulbs will stand any frost that we are likely to have, but those of L. Wallichianum, L. Catesbaei, and one or two others, occasionally die during severe frost. Though cold does not appreciably injure lily-bulbs, it is far otherwise with wet. As we have said before, lilies love rain when the stems are growing, but when the bulbs are making root in winter they do not like much moisture. If the soil is perfectly well drained, we much doubt whether any quantity of rain would cause the bulbs to rot. But in soils where stagnant water can lie about the bulbs, the result of a wet winter is often disastrous.
"Our soil is a stiff clayey loam, but we wish to have lilies. What can we do to render our ground a fit place wherein to grow them?" You can do one of two things. Either you can provide that the lilies are well drained by digging deeply and filling in with crocks, stones, etc., and mixing plenty of sharp sand with the soil; or else you can follow the Japanese plan of placing the lily bulbs on their sides. Bulbs with large, open scales, such as those of L. Brownii, suffer much more from wet than such compact bulbs as those of L. Umbellatum, etc.
The second stage in the growth of lilies dates from the appearance of the shoot till the opening of the flower-buds. We have already described the treatment necessary at this stage. It is at this time that you must guard against drought and slugs, and look out for diseases.
The opening of the flower-buds is the most anxious but also the most exciting period in the life of the lily. When the buds have begun to change colour a good drenching of the roots with very weak liquid manure will materially help to develop the flowers. Do not give liquid manure before this time, and never give more than two doses to any plant.
The green fly or aphis is a very exasperating foe. It does not eat holes in the leaves, but lives upon the upper leaves and buds, usually upon their under surface. Its presence causes the buds to develop irregularly. The bud grows less quickly on that side where the aphides are domiciled, and the whole bud becomes curved or twisted. When this bud opens, it shows but an ugly, deformed flower.
The best way to deal with aphides is to brush them off with a soft brush. This is the only method of dealing with them that can do no harm to the buds. Fumigation or syringing with soft-soap and water are frequently used to destroy these pests.
Another cause which ruins the lily flowers is canker of the buds or blossoms. We described the cause and treatment of this calamity last month.