What to do with lilies in pots after flowering?
1. Introduction
2. Why it’s important to care for lilies after flowering
3. Tips for caring for the bulbs after flowering
4. Watering and drainage considerations
5. Fertilizing lilies
6. Pruning lilies after flowering
7. Planting lilies in pots: what to do with the potting mix?
8. Potting and repotting considerations
9. Overwintering tips for potted lilies
10. Conclusion
11. Resources
How To Care For Lilies After Flowering
Introduction: As a flower gardener, you know that when a beautiful flower has come to its end it is important to continue caring for the plant in order to ensure future blooms and health of the plant itself. This article outlines how to care for lilies after they have finished flowering so you can enjoy them again next season!
Why It’s Important To Care For Lilies After Flowering
The life cycle of a lily is completed when it flowers, and then the plant needs to be cared for in order to grow again next season as well as ensure its overall health and wellbeing in the meantime. Caring for lilies after they have finished flowering is important because it helps them to remain healthy and happy, ensuring that you can enjoy their beauty again next year!
Tips For Caring For The Bulbs After Flowering
Once your lily has stopped blooming, there are certain steps you need to take in order to properly care for them during their dormant period until spring arrives again. The key is not to allow the bulbs or roots of the plant to dry out before they enter their dormancy stage or else they will not survive until the following season. Here are some tips on how best to care for your lily bulbs after they have finished flowering:
• Water regularly but sparingly – water your lily once every week or two during dry periods, avoiding over-watering as this can cause rot
• Fertilize – fertilizing your lily at least once a month during its dormant period will help keep it healthy and strong
• Prune – prune off any dead foliage or stems that may have been damaged by pests or disease while also cutting back any foliage that has turned yellow or brown
• Keep an eye out for pests – check your plants regularly so that you can spot any signs of pests such as aphids, mites or whiteflies which may be attacking your plants
• Plant in pots – if you plan on planting your lilies in pots, make sure you use a potting mix specifically designed for bulbs which will provide adequate drainage and ensure optimal growth conditions
• Repot – every few years repot your potted lily into a larger pot with fresh potting mix so that it has enough room to grow without becoming root-bound
• Overwinter – if you live in an area with cold winters, make sure you cover your potted lily with a thick layer of mulch in order protect it from frost damage during this time
Watering And Drainage Considerations
When caring for your lily after flowering it is essential that you consider both their watering requirements and drainage needs carefully in order to keep them healthy and prevent any potential issues such as root rot or mold growth due to over-watering or poor drainage conditions respectively. When watering your lily, make sure that you only give them enough water so that their soil remains moist but not soggy; too much water can cause root rot whereas too little water will cause them stress and hinder growth which could eventually lead to death of the plant altogether. Additionally, when planting your Lily bulbs in pots make sure there is ample drainage available by using a potting mix specifically designed for bulbs and ensuring there are holes at the bottom of the pot so excess water can easily escape when necessary.
Fertilizing Lilies
Fertilizing your Lily is important especially during its dormancy period as it helps keep them healthy and strong throughout winter when they are unable to photosynthesize due other seasonal factors such as reduced sunlight hours etcetera. You should fertilize up until about one month before spring arrives using a bulb-specific fertilizer such as bone meal which will provide slow release nutrients ideal for encouraging new shoots and promoting bloom come springtime!
Pruning Lilies After Flowering
Pruning off any dead foliage or stems is essential when caring for Lilies after they have finished flowering; this helps remove any potential sources of infection from pests or disease which could negatively affect their overall health throughout winter if left unchecked. Additionally, pruning away any yellowed or browned foliage will help encourage new growth come springtime by allowing more sunlight through onto new shoots!
Planting Lilies In Pots: What To Do With The Potting Mix?
If you decide to grow your Lilies in pots rather than directly into garden beds then there are some additional considerations worth taking into account such as what type of potting mix should be used? When selecting potting mix specifically designed for bulbs such as Lillies, look out for ones containing ingredients like peat moss, perlite, composted bark chips etcetera; these components help create an environment with good aeration whilst still providing plenty of moisture retention – both ideal properties when trying to promote optimal growth conditions within containers!
Potting And Repotting Considerations
As with all plants grown within containers, periodically repotting into larger pots with fresh potting medium every few years is essential; this helps create more space around the roots allowing greater access oxygenation whilst also providing room for further growth without becoming root bound (which can cause severe damage). When repotting make sure there are adequate holes at the bottom of each container along with material such as rocks/gravel etcetera which will help improve drainage even further – both key components necessary when creating optimal growing conditions within containers!
Overwintering Tips For Potted Lillies
If you live in an area with cold winters then protecting your potted Lilley from frost damage by covering it up with mulch each night before temperatures drop too low should be done; this helps preserve heat within the soil whilst also preventing waterlogging from occurring overnight – both key elements necessary when attempting successful overwintering!
Conclusion
Caring for Lilley’s after they have finished flowering is essential if we want them return year on year – taking note of watering/drainage requirements along with fertilizing/pruning tips plus considering repotting/overwintering techniques outlined within this article should help ensure successful cultivation each season!
