Introduction:
Lilium, commonly known as lily, is a prized ornamental bulbous plant widely cultivated for cut flowers and potted plants. Greenhouse cultivation of Lilium enables growers to produce flowers in a controlled and protected environment, which helps in minimizing losses due to weather, pests, and diseases. It also ensures round-the-year production, uniform growth, and superior quality blooms that fetch premium prices in the market.
1. Climate Requirements:
- Temperature: Optimal daytime temperatures range between 20-25°C, while night temperatures should be maintained at 12-15°C for ideal flower development.
- Humidity: Moderate humidity levels between 60-70% are ideal. Excess humidity should be avoided to prevent fungal diseases.
- Light: Bright but diffused sunlight is essential. A light intensity of 30,000 to 40,000 lux is considered optimal for healthy photosynthesis and flowering.
- Ventilation: Cross-ventilation or exhaust fans are crucial for maintaining airflow and preventing heat and humidity buildup inside the greenhouse.
2. Soil and Growing Media:
- Well-drained, porous soils rich in organic matter are ideal.
- Soilless media like cocopeat, perlite, and vermiculite are commonly used in protected cultivation systems to avoid soil-borne diseases and ensure better root health.
- pH: The preferred pH range is between 6.0 and 6.5.
3. Variety Selection:
- Asiatic hybrids: Known for early flowering, bright colors, and upward-facing blooms.
- Oriental hybrids: These have larger, fragrant flowers and an extended vase life.
- LA and OT hybrids: These interspecific hybrids combine the traits of different Lilium species, improving their performance and appeal.
4. Bulb Selection and Treatment:
- Select certified, disease-free bulbs with uniform size (ideally 14/16 cm in circumference).
- Pre-cooling at 2-5°C for 6-8 weeks is essential to break dormancy and stimulate uniform flowering.
- Treat bulbs with fungicides like carbendazim before planting to prevent fungal infections.
5. Planting:
- Spacing: Maintain 15-20 cm between plants and 25-30 cm between rows for proper aeration and growth.
- Depth: Plant bulbs at a depth of 10-12 cm.
- Planting Season: September to November depending on regional climatic conditions.
6. Nutrient Management:
- Apply well-decomposed FYM or compost @ 10-15 tons/ha as basal manure.
- Fertigation using water-soluble fertilizers like 19:19:19 during vegetative growth and 13:0:45 during flowering is recommended.
- Supplement with micronutrients such as Mg, Fe, Zn, and B to avoid deficiencies.
- Regular foliar sprays of micronutrients may also be practiced for better absorption and faster results.
7. Irrigation Management:
- Use drip irrigation for uniform and efficient water supply while conserving water.
- Avoid overhead irrigation as it increases the risk of fungal infections like Botrytis.
- Maintain consistent moisture, avoiding both drought and waterlogging.
8. Growth Regulators and Training:
- Apply GA3 to enhance stem elongation and achieve desired flower height.
- De-leafing of lower leaves helps improve air movement and reduces disease risk.
- Use netting or support structures to prevent lodging and maintain flower stem straightness.
9. Pest and Disease Management:
- Pests: Thrips, aphids, and spider mites are common. Use yellow sticky traps, neem oil sprays, and insecticidal soaps as control measures.
- Diseases: Botrytis blight, Fusarium wilt, and root rot are major concerns. Ensure good sanitation, crop rotation, and fungicide sprays as needed.
- Adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices including biological control agents like Trichoderma and Beauveria.
10. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling:
- Harvest flowers when the first bud starts showing color but before it opens fully to ensure a longer shelf life.
- Leave 2-3 basal leaves on the plant to support bulb development for next season.
- Immediately place stems in clean water and move to a cold room (2-5°C) to retain freshness.
- Grading, bunching, and packaging should be done carefully to maintain quality during transport.
11. Extra Activities to Improve Quality and Yield:
- Use organic and plastic mulches to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain even soil temperature.
- Conduct regular bulb health checks and maintain bulb hygiene to prevent disease spread.
- CO2 enrichment (up to 800-1000 ppm) can boost photosynthesis, leading to enhanced growth and flower production.
- Rotate crops or shift planting beds annually to prevent the buildup of soil-borne pathogens.
- Ensure timely grading and sorting of blooms for uniformity, better shelf appeal, and pricing.
Conclusion:
Greenhouse cultivation of Lilium represents a high-value and sustainable flower production system. Through careful selection of planting material, optimal climate and irrigation control, advanced nutrient and pest management practices, and value-adding post-harvest measures, growers can achieve continuous, high-quality production with profitable returns.
