OREGON BULB FARMS 
GRESHAM, OREGON 
Spring sales of lily bulbs became a general prac- 
tice when imported bulbs began to arrive in this 
country in January with the result that there was no 
choice as to planting time. Now that we are able to 
deliver American-grown, healthy lilies in October, 
we strongly advise you to make every effort to dis- 
pose of the lilies in the fall. This means passing on 
this information to your customers who have been in 
the habit of planting lilies in the spring. A few 
varieties, such as L. Centifolium hybrids, keep 
especially well in storage and, should the trade de- 
mand spring delivery in any appreciable quantity, 
we shall arrange to make this service available to 
our customers. For the present we feel that good 
performance is more important than some additional 
sales. 
Cultural Instructions 
For Lilies 
Soils and Location: Lilies must have perfect drain- 
age such as a gentle slope can provide. Air drainage 
too is important for a good breeze can keep many 
garden pests and diseases away. If your site is 
level and the soil heavy, then dig a round hole to a 
depth of eighteen inches and width of twelve inches 
and fill the hole with six inches of gravel on the 
bottom and a mixture of one half sandy loam, one 
fourth leafmold and one fourth river sand. Place 
some extra sand under and around the bulb and take 
care not to damage the roots. 
Sun or Shade: Lilies need sunlight, at least until 2 
P.M. Filtered sunlight or semi-shade may bring out 
the more delicate colors, but they tend to make weak 
stems and soft flowers. Do not plant near house 
walls, walks or drives that reflect sunlight or heat. 
Depth of Planting: L. candidum ‘‘Cascade Strain’’ 
and ‘‘White Elf’’ should be planted with not more 
than one inch of settled soil over the top of the 
bulbs. All others need not more than four inches of 
soil over them. 
Mulch and Groundcover: Lilies are gross feeders 
and root deeply. They need a porous, well-aerated 
soil, rich in humus and well-balanced plant food. 
They like a good mulch of well-rotted cow manure, 
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rich compost or decaying leafmold and this can be 
applied several times during the growing season. 
The mulch keeps the soil cool, discourages weed 
growth and eliminates the need for surface culti- 
vation which might hurt the stem-roots. Shallow- 
rooted ground covers keep the ground shaded andare 
beneficial. Do not expect your lilies to compete with 
strong-growing perennials or shrubs. 
Cutting Flowers: Like all plants, lilies need their 
stems and foliage to build for next year’s growth. 
Cutting the flowers only, preventing them from set- 
ting seed is beneficial. Cutting the foliage is harm- 
ful in direct proportion to the amount taken. Cutting 
stems with foliage year after year will definitely 
kill the plant. 
Fertilizers: Natural fertilizers, such as well-rotted 
cow manure, are ideal. A handful of nitrogenous 
fertilizer, scattered over every few feet, a pound of 
wood ashes per every twenty square feet, and such 
applications repeated two or three times during the 
growing season, will help to keep the lilies strong 
and healthy. If your soil and water are alkaline, then 
two or three times during the growing season scatter 
a pinch or two of agricultural sulphur over the soil 
surface and water it in. Peatmoss, being slightly 
acid, is good for lilies. It provides an ideal medium 
for the stem roots when used as a mulch. 
On Arrival: In spite of careful treatment, it is to be 
expected that the bulbs may be somewhat limp after 
their long trip. If so, then open the packages and 
place all the bulbs in damp sand or peatmoss, sprin- 
kle them with water and set them ina cool place. 
They will freshen up at once and ina few days new 
roots will form. Then plant in previously prepared 
locations in the garden. 
Please note: Never plant your new bulbs where other 
lilies have failed to grow. Do not keep the soil in 
soggy condition. Lilies like moisture, but only if 
perfectly drained and well-aerated soil conditions 
prevail. Do not expect the first year’s growth to be 
an indication of the plant’s full growth or size, 
lilies, like all other plants, need some time to 
“‘settle in’’. A lily is a living plant. It is never dor- 
mant. Therefore, do not treat lily bulbs like tulips 
or hyacinths — treat lilies like perennial plants and 
success will be yours. 
Ee ee a a 
