| 15 April 2007
Spring is here and you may be giving or receiving Easter Lilies, the time-honored flower of Easter. It’s a symbolic flower of resurrection, starting out as a brown scaly bulb, then growing into spectacular white blooms.
When shopping, look for lily plants that are fragrant and well-proportioned, with buds in different stages of bloom. Plenty of dark green foliage is an indication of a healthy plant. Don’t buy any that look wilted.
Remove the yellow anthers as soon as the blooms open up. The flowers will last longer this way, and the pollen won’t stain the white petals. Remove wilted flowers as soon as they begin to fade. Keep your lily plants in a cool environment, between 60-65 degrees F. Blooming lilies like bright indirect light. Water moderately, letting the soil dry out slightly between watering.
When the lily finishes flowering, cut off any remaining withered blooms and continue to care for the potted plant in a sunny location.
Lilies can be planted outside during mild weather conditions. Plant the bulb 3 inches beneath soil level, and water thoroughly. They bloom naturally in the summer, and are typically forced under artificial conditions to bloom in the spring. You may have to wait until next year to get another round of blooms.
A Greener Image offers many flowering plants in addition to foliage. Contact us today for pricing and details.