Growing of Asiatic Lilium under Agro-Climatic Condition of Gujarat

Asiatic Lilium is one of the most fascinating ornamentals in appearance beauty different forms and hues of colors and it is a low-volume high-value crop. It has been depicted as a symbol of purity and regality. Lilium bulbs have a solid basal plate that produces roots from its bottom and a concentric series of tight-to-loose fleshy overlapping scales of varying width from the top. The plants are late spring or summer flowering. Flowers are borne in racemes or umbels at the tip of the stem with six tepals spreading or deflexed; to give flowers varying from funnel shape to Turks cap. The tepals are free from each other and bear nectar at the base of each flower. Asiatic Lilium thrives well in partial shade during the growth period and it should be cultivated under protected environments. The cultivation of Lilium in net houses can play a better role in improving quality as well as increasing flowering span and it also reduces the incidence of insect pests as compared to open fields. Asiatic Lilium can be forced in various soil types but the growing medium must be well-aerated and possess good water-holding capacity effective drainage and a sound physical structure.