Lilium japonicum

The seed of this Lilium has delayed hypogeal germination. Meaning that from planting, you will see sprouting in the second season.

Seeds of Liliums fall into two groups, the first is: Epigeal Germination. Seed from this group germinates very quickly, within a few weeks from sowing; a strap shaped leaf breaks the potting medium, often with the shell case of the seed on it's tip. After a while, the first true broad leaf appears and you know you have the makings of a potential flowering Lilium a few inches below the surface of your potting medium. This quick method is called Epigeal germination. Just remember E for easy. This said, within this group, some kinds, while germinating in exactly the same way, are conditioned not to do so straight away. When sown straight after harvesting, these may sulk to sprout in the spring; these are called epigeal delayed.

The other type of Lilium seed is called Hypogeal; H for Hard. While the above group types put all their effort of resources of their seed into immediate above the ground growth; some species are more quietly working away out of sight. They deploy all their resources of food that they have inherited from the seed into forming a little bulb by the side or just below the seed case. Not until the little bulb is big enough, does the little bulb throw up its first true leaf. This underground method is called hypogeal.

The light brown Lilium japonicum seed with me was planted in mid summer. This Bamboo Lily as it is sometimes called has the reputation of hard to grow, this I suspect is somewhat unwarranted. In its native Japan, it is found both at sea level and on higher elevations to around three and a half thousand feet. This with me has grown well in cooler regions of New South Wales and on the North West Coast of Tasmania.

Now it is flowering here in steamy hot seaside Geelong.

So what's the trick I hear you thinking?

As John Bryan says, time and time again; look to Nature for your clues and use your common sense and give it a try.

I wish I could claim the above phrase, but John has already said it and he is so correct. In its native habitat Lilium japonicum grows in cool soils which are rich with organic matter, said soils are freely fast draining.

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