Alternative Crops: Growing Asiatic Lilies
In Crates In A Hoop House

 

PROJECT LEADER(S):  Willie Wilson & Patricia Raible, Co-Owner Morning Glory Farm

 

LOCATION:      Morning Glory Farm

                                MGF Flowers, LLC

                                6205 Kate Road

                                Monroe, NC  28110-9402

                                Union County

 

 

 

IMPACT

A field day was held on September 14, 2004 at Morning Glory Farm. Twenty-five local producers,  potential specialty crops growers and Master Gardeners participated in a Field Day at Morning Glory Farm on September 14, 2004 from 9:00 to 12:00 Noon.  Participants had the opportunity to look at the on-farm trail, ask questions, and visit other sites of interest at the farm.  

 

 

               

INTRODUCTION

 

Test Trial:  Our research was designed to determine if Asiatic Lilies would grow during the summer months in North Carolina under partially controlled conditions in a hoop house.  We tested five varieties of bulbs over a 14-week period.

 

METHODS

 

We were assured by Ednie Bulb Company that the lilies would grow in heat and humidity under the following conditions:

1:  The bulbs need to be cool until they emerge.  To accomplish this the bulbs were placed in a cooler at 45 degrees until planted.  Both the hoop house and the crates were covered with 50 percent shade cloth.

2:  Lilies are sensitive to fluoride which comes in chemical phosphate fertilizer.  You should also not use a mix with too much perlite.  We used ½ peat moss and ½ Farfard 2 mix (low perlite).  Because lilies also need calcium we added milk powder.

3:  Too much moisture causes Botrytis.  Bulbs were watered by overhead mist, but checked daily.  A 24 inch greenhouse fan provided air circulation.   Sides and back of the hoophouse were open.

 

CONCLUSION

 

We found the crop a disappointment for the 2004 summer season.  Contrary to the information provided from the company, we believe the 93 degree plus heat in early June just after the bulbs were planted was the largest factor in the slow emergence and the stunted growth of the bulbs.  Also, we believe we should have dripped the bulbs instead of overhead watering to ensure more thorough, but less daily watering.  Since we believe lilies may be better as a spring crop, we will try the bulbs again in crates, beginning in February and throughout the spring, but no later than May 15th.

 

TABLES & PHOTOS

 

 

 

Calendar

 

 

June 1

Received crates and bulbs put them in our cooler, at about 45 degrees

June 5

Prepared crates and planted

1.     lined crates with newspaper

2.     soil was ½ peat moss, ½ Farfard 2 mix (no bark) lime, powdered

milk, seabird  guano 1# (10-10-2.5)

3.     2 inches soil on bottom, bulbs, covered up to handles

4.     placed in hoop house (that was covered with 50% shade cloth),

crates were also covered with 50 percent shade cloth until the lilies

                    emerged.

June 10

Temperature rises to mid-90's, watered with sprinklers 4 times a day for 15 minutes.  Checked daily to make sure they were not drying out.

June 15

First bulbs, Van Holden, emerged on time (We were told they would emerge about two weeks earlier during warm weather

June 20

Took shade cloth off crates since first bulbs were at the top, still only a few emerging.

 

July 5  

Concerned with slow emergence, not growing very fast.  Fertilized with composed chicken manure (Black Hen/2-3-2) and watered with Omega  (6-6-6), a compost tea.

July 18

All bulbs should have emerged, but only about 60 percent had emerged by this date.

 

July 26

First two buds, but plants only about 18-20 inches tall.  Remainder of the bulbs continue to bud off and on through July and August, but total budding only about 30 percent of those planted and all but a few, very short.

 

 

TABLES & PHOTOS