My oriental lilies aren't very well
ElectricJo
Posts: 18
I wonder if someone can help me. This is the first year I have had success with my gardening and I am completely new to lilies so I don't have many ideas.
These were cheap lilies from Morrisons, described as Stargazers, but they seemed to be doing really well. I potted them up in ericaceous compost but fed them the same feed as my orienpet and asiatic lilies. Initially I used Miracle-Gro after about 5 weeks but I quickly switched to Tomorite.
It occurred to me that I should logically use ericaceous feed but I couldn't find any mention of this online. Over the last few weeks I have noticed this streaking of the leaves and the black tips. It has got much worse over the last week and has moved to other lilies from the same packet, including some in another pot elsewhere.
Could it be due to not using an ericaceous feed? I replaced the top 1 1/2 to 2 inches of compost with new ericaceous compost just in case.
Any ideas would be very welcome as I'm not sure the leaves will be able to replenish the bulb at this rate.
Thanks
very much.
Posts
Oh, and I always try to use rainwater for watering.
I only use Multi Purpose compost (not peat free) for lilies, and I don't feed them at all, other than perhaps a diluted tomato feed when they finish flowering. If they're in pots long term, I renew some of the compost in early spring. They don't really need much more than that except watering if it's dry.
I'm not sure why you thought you'd need ericaceous compost for them....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That damage on the leaves could be due to thrips. They feed on the sap. As Fairygirl said, the lilies do not need ericaceous compost.
Thanks for answering Fairygirl. The ericaceous compost for oriental lilies - I read that on numerous sites online. The compost I've used says something like 'feeds for 5 weeks' so I guessed they were due some feeding after then. I thought I read lilies are heavy feeders? Maybe I've been overfeeding then!
Thanks Ladybird4. I have only just heard this word this week. I have no idea what thrips are. Some research for me! Thanks.
More important to feed after the flowers go over and the plant's dying back, as that will give it a boost. As long as you leave the foliage on as well, that feeds the bulbs for next year.
Excess food can often just be a waste. Good drainage and a bit of sun is about all they need to do well
It's all a learning curve
You may also find they'll outgrow the pot quite quickly as they do become big plants, especially the ones you have. My lilies are about to go in the ground now that I have a space for them. They've been in the same (18") pot for a couple of years, but they're nearly twice the size this year, which is also normal as they gradually mature.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Perhaps you used ericacious compost after seeing references to L. auratum and L. speciosum, which the RHS list among acid-lovers?
The only thing I can add to what you've already been told is that black tips on lily leaves can be caused by over-watering, but I don't see any significant blackness on your photo. As long as their pots are not soggy, your lilies should be fine. The leaves will still feed the bulb after the flowers are gone, as they normally do.
Thanks AlinaW and Fairygirl. I am learning lots. I usually kill plants one way or another so I've been ridiculously excited by my lilies this year. Have been vigilant for lily beetle and just generally attentive, so when this suddenly got worse I started to worry for all the rest which still have quite a way to go before flowering. I'll just keep eye on things and go easy with the feeding.