Soil for lilies

[shirlton]

A friend has bought me some lilies back from her visit to the Chelsea flower show. On the pack it says that they like alkaline soil. Both the soil at the plot and at home is acid.Could I make it more alkaline by digging in a bit of lime before planting oor should I use something else

[shirlton]

[Robert_Brenchley]

It might be sensible. My only problem with lilies is winter waterlogging, which finishes them off.

[goodlife]

You could use multipurpose compost in a planting hole..and sprinkle some lime on surface..
Compost is immediately right PH for them and the lime, when it eventually start working , will keep the ph right level.. ;)
As for waterlogging Robert..'tons' of grit when planting..mixed into the soil and some at the bottom of the planting holes too...or..doing them in pots that are planted into ground...and lifting them up for winter. Mine survived fine in pots even with the sow and frost we had last winter. I didn't give them no protection what so ever.
But now the lily beetles are such a problem that after this summer I'm not going to bother anymore despite I've grown them for years...bloody things.. ::)

[Robert_Brenchley]

My regale lilies were hammered by last winter's frost, but it got everything in sight. They're usually fine in an old sink. Lifting pots in the winter is a good idea.

[shirlton]

Thanks for the info.I have grown lilies until now never knew about the soil requirements. I didin't bring them in over winter and they survived.
never had the lily beetle until this year and have spent all day yesterday getting the darn things off. shame really cos the beetle is quite pretty

[Alex133]

I check and squash lily beetles every day. Watch out for their larvae on leaves as well - look like dark droppings, horribly squidgy with grub in the middle.

[shirlton]

Yes we had to get the sludge off and squash the maggot. This morning we found 2 more beetles. Can they fly cos I am sure that we got rid of them all?

[Obelixx]

I bought some Firebolt and Lankon lilies at Chelsea and was told that Firebolt likes acid soil and Lankon isn't fussed so they're all in a pot of ericaceous compost and will be taken into the barn for the winter so no waterlogging and, I hope, not too deep a freeze.  I suspect adding lime to planting compost would be fine for yours.

The lady suggested spraying with provado the moment they have decent shoots as this will kill of any lily beetles.  It's systemic so lasts a while.   I used to grow loads of lilies in pots but gave up because of the dreaded beetle.   However i couldn't resist these two gorgeous lilies (present for OH) so have bought some Provado and we'll see what happens.

[shirlton]

These are called Red Velvet

[Robert_Brenchley]

I found a lily beetle on my surviving regales last week. I only get them occasionally, but it only takes one female to start an infestation.

[brown thumb]

i have been told by a neighbour that the beetles can live in the ground touch wood i have not seen  any about this year