EASTER LILIES 7 



planting the bulbs in a soil which is medium rather than high in nutrient 

 content, and by applying at intervals a small quantity of fertilizer sufficient 

 to maintain the desired rate of growth. The total number of feedings 

 necessary should be determined more by the response and rate of growth 

 of the plants than by any set rule. Assuming that the soil has an average 

 medium nutrient content, four to six applications may be adequate. Over- 

 feeding of the plants should be avoided because if it is found necessary 

 to increase the growing temperature and humidity, the plants are likely to 

 become too tall. The rate of growth and date of flowering are regulated 

 by a number of cultural factors such as soil fertility, moisture, humidity, 

 rooting and growing temperatures, and light. 



Fertilizers may be applied in a dry or liquid form. If they are to be 

 applied dry, a complete mixed fertilizer which is readily soluble in water 

 should be used at the rate of about ^ teaspoonful to a 5 inch pot, or 54 

 teaspoonful to a 6 inch pot. The most efficient way of feeding potted 

 plants is to dissolve some quickly soluble form of nitrogen salt in water 

 and apply it to the soil. For this purpose, sodium nitrate (15 percent 

 nitrogen), calcium nitrate (15 percent nitrogen), or ammonium sulfate 

 (20 percent nitrogen) may be used at the rate of 1 ounce in 2 to 3 gallons 

 of water. A more concentrated form of nitrogen, such as Urea (46 per- 

 cent nitrogen) may be used at the rate of 1 ounce to 7 gallons of water. 

 When nitrogen fertilizers such as sodium nitrate are used, it is well to 

 be sure that there is an adequate supply of phosphorus in the soil. If 

 phosphorus is needed, a 3 to 4 inch potful of superphosphate may be 

 added to each bushel of soil at potting time. lii cases where it is neces- 

 sary to supply phosphorus to the soil after the plants are growing, a 

 more readily available form combined with ammonia nitrogen, such as 

 Ammo-Phos (11 percent nitrogen and 47 percent phosphoric acid) at the 

 rate of 1 ounce in 7 gallons of water, is quite satisfactory. 



Soil acidity as it aflFects forcing of lilies is not of any great concern. In 

 tests made at Waltham lilies grew equally well where the pH ranged 

 from 5.5 to 6.5 If a proper balance is maintained between the plant food 

 elements in the soil, the majority of plants appear to be adaptable to a 

 wide range of soil reactions. As a sensible practice undoubtedly it is 

 desirable to have the soil test about 6.0 to 6.5. Wiggin and Gourley (14) 

 observed that as long as soils were not extremely acid or alkaline, many 

 flowering plants proved to be quite adaptable to considerable variation in 

 soil reactions. 



Effect of Rooting Temperatures on Growth of Lilies 



A review of the available literature on the forcing of lilies for Easter 

 indicates that the general recommendation for florists is to use a low 

 temperature of 50° to 56° F. for the rooting of lily bulbs. Laurie and 

 Chadwick (6) recommend that Hlies for Easter be left in a cool house until 

 January, or started as soon as potted in a temperature of 54° to 56° F. 

 Poesch (10) suggests that bulbs be placed immediately in a temperature 

 of 54° to 56° F. and the temperature increased after they have been rooted. 

 It is further observed that high temperature during the later growing 

 period results in shorter stemmed plants. In neither case do these writers 

 indicate that a comparison was made as to the effect of high and low 

 temperatures on the rooting of lilies. Shippy (12) studied the effect of 



