Same here BL, thought he was quite good on it, but was half expecting to see a stainless steel frog slide etc appear at some point! Who did irritate me was the chap who did the lily bit though. Kept going on and on about how easy they are while at the same time saying that he wasn't really a gardener. That much was obvious when he put some half-mashed garlic straight in a hand sprayer with about a cup of water (despite saying a litre) and spraying it as a jet rather than a spray. In reality an unstrained mix like that would block it solid in a few seconds and take half an hour to clean out! Not convinced on the effectiveness against lily beetle either. Constant vigilance and hand-picking is the only 'organic' solution in my experience, and that isn't exactly 'plant, forget and enjoy for years'!
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
....saying that he wasn't really a gardener. That much was obvious when he put some half-mashed garlic straight in a hand sprayer with about a cup of water (despite saying a litre) and spraying it as a jet rather than a spray. In reality an unstrained mix like that would block it solid in a few seconds and take half an hour to clean out! ...
Yes - I thought exactly the same! And he may not be a gardener, but he is a scientist!!!
I have found planting the bulbs on their sides, on a bed of gravel helps. I also wait until the flowering stem has died and then remove it gently by pulling it away from the parent bulb, I then fill in the hole left with soil. I have only recently heard that lilies like acidic soil. I keep a careful eye on the plants as they begin to grow and then pick off the wee beasties, carefully, as they are great at escaping because they are so slippery, or I am so keg handed, break them in half with my nail, just to make sure they have expired. I do also spray with insecticide during the growing season but know not everyone likes using such products.
i still havnt watched all the programs but i did watch James wong and his lillies tonight one the one hand he was saying they are easy and will grow anywhere and then the other chap who grew them for a living said the different types needed differant soil, i havnt been inspire to grow them
I love lilies and grew them successfully in pots until I decided to try them in the ground and the beetle arrived!
Not sure if there was a connection, I think I am just naturally more attentive to pot grown plants.
In frustration, I binned the lot at the end of that season two yrs ago but now OH wants lilies in pots again after watching this program (which I say is in association with local garden centres because its a bit like one long advert).
So...I will probably be tempted back to please OH but they will stay on the patio in pots!
I agree with all the points about the presenter of the lilly programme. But somehow I got temporarily seduced by lilies. I found myself thinking I should get some. Whist the programme was on I found myself on the tablet browsing for them. Despite hating them. The camera work made even the turks head lilly look attractive. I have some in my garden, I have never liked them. They are due to go this year.
Posts
Same here BL, thought he was quite good on it, but was half expecting to see a stainless steel frog slide etc appear at some point!
Who did irritate me was the chap who did the lily bit though. Kept going on and on about how easy they are while at the same time saying that he wasn't really a gardener. That much was obvious when he put some half-mashed garlic straight in a hand sprayer with about a cup of water (despite saying a litre) and spraying it as a jet rather than a spray. In reality an unstrained mix like that would block it solid in a few seconds and take half an hour to clean out! Not convinced on the effectiveness against lily beetle either. Constant vigilance and hand-picking is the only 'organic' solution in my experience, and that isn't exactly 'plant, forget and enjoy for years'!
I agree too - think DG has mellowed over the years
......happens to us all
Yes - I thought exactly the same!
And he may not be a gardener, but he is a scientist!!! 
Not enough!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Lily beetles
I have found planting the bulbs on their sides, on a bed of gravel helps. I also wait until the flowering stem has died and then remove it gently by pulling it away from the parent bulb, I then fill in the hole left with soil. I have only recently heard that lilies like acidic soil. I keep a careful eye on the plants as they begin to grow and then pick off the wee beasties, carefully, as they are great at escaping because they are so slippery, or I am so keg handed, break them in half with my nail, just to make sure they have expired. I do also spray with insecticide during the growing season but know not everyone likes using such products.
i still havnt watched all the programs but i did watch James wong and his lillies tonight one the one hand he was saying they are easy and will grow anywhere and then the other chap who grew them for a living said the different types needed differant soil, i havnt been inspire to grow them
I love lilies and grew them successfully in pots until I decided to try them in the ground and the beetle arrived!
Not sure if there was a connection, I think I am just naturally more attentive to pot grown plants.
In frustration, I binned the lot at the end of that season two yrs ago but now OH wants lilies in pots again after watching this program (which I say is in association with local garden centres because its a bit like one long advert).
So...I will probably be tempted back to please OH but they will stay on the patio in pots!
I agree with all the points about the presenter of the lilly programme. But somehow I got temporarily seduced by lilies. I found myself thinking I should get some. Whist the programme was on I found myself on the tablet browsing for them. Despite hating them. The camera work made even the turks head lilly look attractive. I have some in my garden, I have never liked them. They are due to go this year.