Lilium hybrids

Liliums are one of my favourite species. I have spent many years growing them, especially the hybrids but I particularly like photographing them as they are so "photogenic" just to coin a phrase. I have also written many articles on how to grow them from seed and from small bulbils as well as articles on scaling and twin scaling. You will find these articles on this Suite 101 site and also on the International Bulb Society Page and I encourage you to read them if you are interested in growing the wonderful Lilium species.

In this current article, I thought I would feature many of the lovely photos I have snapped as well as giving some general cultural advice and information for you.

VARIATIONS Seed from species will be true to type but hybrids will produce a multitude of variations. Seed from hybrids with mixed parentage such as : (Bold Knight x Tetra Nutmegger) x (4n x Avignon) will give a variation of colors from deep reds through to orange shades and also various flower types from upward- facing to outward-facing. Cross-pollinate these again to produce some more variations.

By hybridising, you can create your own plants. The colors will suprise you as they may be different to the parents you use. Really, it is a science and many people who aim to grow the perfect plant take it really seriously and plan their crosses. A knowledge of horticultural techniques is definitely an advantage but not a necessity.

You can start with just hybrid bulbs, wait for them to flower and then go to work on cross-pollinating the one you choose to be the mother. Here is the simple way to do it:

Select the plant that you would use as the seed parent - this should be a plant that has a bud ready to open

Carefully peel back the petals and take off the anthers.

Get your pollen from another plant - the one you have chosen to be the father.

Rub the pollen onto the stigma of the parent plant. I use a small paintbrush but you could use a cotton bud or a pipe cleaner to transfer the pollen. The pollen will usually stain your fingers and clothes if you are not careful.

Cover over the stigma once you have done this with a piece of aliminium foil or paper to protect it.

Wait for the seeds to develop and when you gather the seed label the seed pack with the names of the parents so you have a record of the cross

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