I. L. Zalivsky. Lilies Brief botanical characteristics of lilies. General information

Genus of perennial onion herbs of the lily family. They compete with orchids in beauty, but they are far from being so capricious and demanding care.

Lily flowers have always amazed people with their unusual beauty. The capital of ancient Persia was the city of Susa, which means the city of lilies (Susann or Shushun in the ancient language of the Persians called lily flowers). In France, before the revolution, lilies were a symbol of royal power. Lily flower is present on the arms of many noble families in different countries.

White Lily - Madonna lily from Christians is considered the flower of the Virgin Mary, as a symbol of purity and integrity.

The Chinese considered very small legs the most beautiful and attractive part of the woman’s body, which with the help of bandages gave an unusual pointed shape with an unnaturally arched rise and four toes bent inside the foot. These legs were called the "golden lotus" or "golden lily." Only the “golden lily” leg guaranteed, in very recent times, a successful marriage to Chinese women.

Lilia is a name for girls, meaning that they will grow as beautiful and tender as this flower.

Bouquet of white lilies symbolizes beauty, purity of thoughts, loyalty and devotion.

Lily - a flower widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, where about 100 of its wild-growing species grow. From them went numerous hybrid varieties, which are often called the place of origin. Eastern hybrids derived from wild lilies of China and Japan, Asian hybrids are the most numerous and unpretentious group of hybrids. Tubular hybrids , named after the flower shape. Hybrids derived from these hybrids - for example, Orienthepes (the result of crossing Eastern and Tubular hybrids), etc.

The ground part of the lily consists of a stem, the height of which, depending on the variety, can be from 30 cm to 200 cm. Leaves usually lanceolate, curved. Flowers from 5 to 25 cm in diameter consist of 6 leaves of the perianth, which can be in the form of a wide open bowl, funnel, bell. The edges of the leaves of the bract can be smooth or strongly curved outward. Usually, several flowers bloom at once, which form a real bouquet of lilies on the stem. Inside the flower is sweet nectar, which attracts pollinators. Stamens, on long legs, are arranged around the pistil with a thick three-blade stigma. Fruit - seed box with a large number of flat seeds.

The underground part of a lily consists of roots and a bulb, which is formed in the first year of planting from a seed, but until the bulb reaches sufficient size (in 3-4 years), the lily does not bloom or blooms weakly. After the size of the bulb has reached the desired size, the lily blooms annually. Both the seeds and the lily bulbs are suitable for obtaining new plants, but most often the reproduction of lilies is done by the bulbs, because in this case, species differences are better preserved. Although lilies grown from seed, less susceptible to viral diseases.

LILIES. GRADES.

Probably the most famous lily cultivar - Tiger lily, or Lanceolate lily. A plentiful flowering plant with flowers resembling a bright orange turban with numerous specks, but many do not suspect that the tiger lily is white, pink, red; there are also yellow lilies of this variety.

White lily - a symbol of nobility and purity - is a special love for flower lovers. The white lily is otherwise called the white lily, the Madonna lily. It has long been grown in the Mediterranean countries. The oil of this lily is used for cosmetic purposes to soften and lighten the skin of the face.

In our area in the wild is found lily marvelous.

There are many more species of lilies, known from time immemorial, but most of the lilies grown in modern gardens, belongs to one of the hybrid groups, obtained through the efforts of breeders.

The largest group of garden lily hybrids is Asian hybrids. The varieties of lilies of the Asian hybrids are unpretentious to the soil and care, they winter (almost all over the CIS) without shelter, rarely get sick, and they tolerate both bright sun and slight shading. Asian hybrids come from wild lilies of Transbaikalia, northeastern provinces of China, Mongolia. These are Dahurian lily, dwarf lily, David's lily, false-tiger lily, etc. The flowers of these lilies are cup-shaped, talmiform, drooping, directed to the sides. The varieties of lilies of Asian hybrids have a wide variety of colors from pure white (for example, Sorpressa), yellow (Val di Sole), pink (Elodie) to dark red (Black Out). Frequent and combinations of different colors, lines, stripes, etc. Of the old proven varieties of Asiatic lilies, we note the Inmantment — red-orange; Destin - lemon yellow; Priepeke - bright red lilies, etc.

The flowers of the lilies of the Eastern hybrids (Orientali) are very popular. Oriental lilies are distinguished by exotic beauty, they are obtained by breeding Japanese and Chinese wild lily flowers (Japanese lily, golden lily, beautiful lily, etc.). Orientals grow better in greenhouses. Oriental lilies in the garden, in the open field prefer partial shade, a place protected from drafts, in the winter they require shelter. Compared with Asian hybrids, they are more often affected by viral and fungal diseases. Representatives of this group: white lily - Siberia; pink lily - Mona Liza; lilac lily with white edges of petals - Tiber and many others.

From the North American species of lilies - Leopard, Canadian, Philadelphia, proud, American hybrids are obtained. These are tall plants (up to 2 meters), flowers drooping, resembling a turban in shape, from golden yellow to crimson tones, with large dark spots. Top grades: Afterglow, Del North, San Gabriel, Buttercap.

Tubular and Orlean hybrids originate from Asian species of lilies with tubular flowers. These lilies are quite resistant to cold (although it is better to cover them with a layer of foliage for the winter) and are practically not affected by diseases. Popular varieties: Pink Perfection, Regale, Bright Star, Corona White, Golden Splendour ...

The European wild-growing lily Kinky-eyed has become the basis of the Hybrids Kinky-wolves.

Breeders, crossing the above listed hybrids of lilies, have received many new varieties: LO hybrids, LA hybrids, OA hybrids, OT hybrids, etc.

LANDING LILIES.

The main thing when planting lilies correctly determine the place in the garden where lily flowers will feel best. So Asian hybrids grow well in both open and slightly shaded areas. In the penumbra, lily species grow well, having roots on the underground part of the stem (Canadian, Kinky and others). For these lilies, it is desirable that the lower part of plants with roots be in the shade, so these lilies grow well among low shrubs and perennials.

Eastern hybrids grow better not in bright sun, but in light penumbra, but Henry, David, Dahurian, Royal, Leopard lilies, drooping, and their hybrids grow well in open sunny areas. It is not recommended to plant lilies on the north side.

Lily - the flower is not particularly demanding on the soil, but the vast majority of lilies can not stand the stagnation of water. For lilies suitable light sandy-clay soil with the addition of leaf soil or peat. The soil should be neutral or weakly acidic.

Calcareous soils are preferred by Henry, David, Royal, Kinky-eyed lilies, Caucasus lilies and their hybrids, Dutch hybrids.

On peaty soils with the addition of leaf humus, American species and their hybrids develop well; oriental lilies.

White clay (Madonna lily), as well as Taiwanese and Chalcedony, prefer clayey soils with lime.

The soil under the lilies must contain a sufficient amount of nutrients, primarily phosphorus and potassium. With a lack of phosphorus, the size of flowers decreases, the color turns pale. Lack of potassium leads to poor development of children and bulbs, which also affects the appearance of flowers and degrades the quality of planting material, so the main fertilizer must be applied before digging the soil. Phosphate fertilizers are applied to the soil at the rate of 100 grams. on 1 sq. m. Potash fertilizers - 40-60 gr. on 1 sq. m.

The best fertilizer for lilies is humus. It should be made at the rate of 7-8 kg per 1 square meter. More humus can be harmful - the plants will “fatten”, which leads to growth retardation, reduced resistance to disease, the plants are less likely to tolerate wintering.

Lily bulbs with large flowers are planted at a distance of 20 cm from each other and between the rows. Lilies with small flowers can be planted at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other. It is good to pour sand or gravel into the furrows between the rows, which will save the lilies from excessive moisture accumulation. Before planting the bulbs, it is advisable to soak for half an hour in a disinfecting solution (manganese, foundation, etc.).

Lilies do not tolerate drying of the roots. When planting and transplanting lily bulbs can not be kept in the sun. If the roots are dry, the bulbs should be covered with a damp cloth and time allowed to soak up the water.

Large bulbs are planted at a depth of 25 cm, small bulbs are planted at a depth equal to three bulb diameters. Only the bulbs of the snow-white, chalcedony and hybrid lily testetseum soil layer over the bulb should not exceed 2-3 cm, since these lilies form a ground leaf rosette.

In light sandy soils, bulbs of lilies are planted deeper, in heavy clay soils - smaller.

Transplant of lilies.

Planted lilies grow in one place for 3-4 years. On the fourth - the fifth year the nest of bulbs grows strongly and it should be divided and transplanted to a new place. Every year, digging and drying the bulbs, as is done with tulips, is not only unnecessary, but even harmful. Lily bulbs do not tolerate drying out. When transplanting lilies nest must be divided. Children should be seated separately and cover with a 3-5 cm layer of humus or compost.

The most appropriate time for planting and transplanting lilies is August - September, at the latest - the beginning of October. Only very few lilies, such as the royal lily, can be transplanted in spring.

When transplanting must be attentive to the roots. They should try to arrange evenly in all directions from the bulb, not kneading and not twisting.

LILIES. CARE.

how take care of lilies? It is very important to follow the basic rules when planting lilies, and then care will be easier, but without attention the full bouquet of lilies cannot be obtained. So in the first year after planting, it is unlikely to receive lily flowers, such as in a photo in a magazine or on a handout. The plant must gain strength, so in the first year after planting all the buds or most of them should be removed. In the future, pluck the buds only in weak plants.

During the season, lily flowers need to be fed several times. The first feeding a full complex of fertilizers at the rate of 50 gr. on 1 sq. m. given in early spring before the start of plant growth. This dressing is applied to the ground. After 2-3 months, when the buds begin to form, they apply a second top-dressing with full fertilizer in liquid form (40 g per 10 liters of water, per 1 sq. M.) Or dry fertilizers, which are scattered on the ground before watering or before the rain. The third fertilizing is also carried out with full fertilizer after flowering, but not later than mid-August (50 g per 1 square meter in dry form or 40 g per 10 liters per 1 square meter in liquid form). It is useful to apply ash into the soil several times per season at the rate of 100 grams. on 1 sq. m. (Plants are less sick, and their flowers become larger and brighter).

During the season, the soil under the lilies must be loosened and mulched with leaf earth, humus, peat, and weeds removed. Lily - a flower that does not like excessive moisture, but in dry weather, plants must be watered, especially at the stage of bud formation. In this case, you should try to moisten the leaves less, because it contributes to the development of diseases.

High lilies with thin stems or large inflorescences are tied to pegs or strengthened in another way, preventing lodging and breaking of the stems.

If the lilies are not transplanted, then with the onset of frost at ground level flower stalks are cut off. Previously, this should not be done, because until the most frost leaves and stalks of lilies continue to supply the bulb nutrients. Cut leaves and peduncles necessarily burn. This is the prevention of various diseases.

In winter, garden lilies cover with leafy earth or humus, in a layer up to 10 cm. The same layer of leaves is poured on top and covered with pine branches and spruce. The lilies of the Asian hybrids, LA hybrids and some others do not require shelter for the winter.

In the spring shelter is removed before the shoots appear, but young shoots must be protected from night frosts, covered with foil. Particular attention should be paid to the planting onion-kids. Their sprouts appear early and they are very fragile, so they are best kept at night under the film on the frame.

DISEASES OF LILIES. PESTS.

Unfortunately, many lily hybrids are affected by various viral and fungal diseases. Relatively more resistant to diseases Asian hybrids, LA hybrids, OT hybrids, Tubular and Orleans hybrids.

The emergence of fungal diseases often contributes to wet, cold, little sunny weather, as well as non-compliance with the basic agrotechnical measures for growing lilies and storing bulbs.

The most common fungal disease of lilies is gray mold caused by the fungus Botrytis. Leaves, stems and buds are stained with gray fluffy mold. If you do not take action, the whole plant is affected. At the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to cut and burn all the affected parts of the plant. Remove moldy soil, process lily flowers with systemic fungicides. The best means to combat gray mold are copper-containing preparations (for example, 0.5% solution of blue vitriol). In wet weather, these drugs are sprayed planting lilies as a preventive measure. For the season usually spend 2-3 spraying.

Fusarium mushroom causes soft rot of the bulbs. On the scales of the bulbs, watery, quickly blackening spots appear, the bulbs and roots under the bulbs become soft, become covered with mold, the plants look depressed, diseased. Control measures: dug damaged bulbs (with a small lesion) powder with sulfur with coal in the ratio of 1: 1, pickle the bulbs in a 0.3% solution of rogora for 40-50 minutes. With a significant lesion, dig up and burn the plant.

Lily flowers are also affected by viral diseases that are spread by aphids. The most common viral lily disease is “mosaic”. At first, light elongated spots appear on the leaves, then the whole leaf dries out. Lilies wither and do not bloom. Especially susceptible to this disease lilies are long-flowered, Taiwanese, golden, snow-white. Hybrids of the Thunberg lily, testeceum, sometimes tiger, are always amazed by the mosaic, but this does not particularly affect their growth, development and flowering. Not affected by viruses lily Brown, Gunson, Kinky, leopard. Strongly affected by viral diseases of the royal lily, drooping, sulfuric, as well as lily Henry, Sargent, Willmott. These varieties of lilies are best grown from seed, because plants grown from seeds are not affected by viruses. As a preventive measure for viral diseases, lilies should not be planted next to plants that are susceptible to viral diseases: cucumbers, dahlias, tobacco, etc., should not be cut with one pruner, beating weeds and fighting pests that spread these diseases. Diseased plants must be immediately destroyed. There are no other measures of struggle.

Pest lily flowers are most often affected when they are distilled in greenhouses. Aphids, thrips, spider mites settle on the plants. These pests suck the juice from the plants, which weakens, develops poorly and blooms. For pest control, spray plants with a solution of potash soap (200-300 grams per 10 liters of water), anbasin sulfate solution (1 gram per 1 liter of water) or nicotine sulfate (1 gram per 1 liter of water) with green soap (4 grams. per 1 liter of solution), or 0.2-0.3% solution of karbofos.

Lily bulbs damage the root mite, onion fly larvae. To prevent the defeat of the bulbs, they are etched before planting with a 0.25% solution of rogora for 40-50 minutes or are disinfected in another way.

Various rodents that eat onions, stems, and seeds cause considerable damage to the planting of lilies. Laying their moves in the soil, moles destroy the root system of plants. The usual rodent control measures are poison baits.

WATER LILY. LILY ROOM AND DR.

Not only garden lilies are meant when they talk about lilies. There are other flowers belonging to different families, which are called lilies. Since the white water lily (Nymphaea Alba), many know how water lily. This is a beautiful water perennial flower with a thick rhizome that goes to the bottom of the reservoir, round leaves and large white (sometimes, depending on the variety, pink) flowers that float on the surface. Water lily flowers bloom during the day, and at night they close and fall under water. Flowering water lilies decorate any body of water. Water white lilies reproduce vegetatively (by a rhizome) or by seeds, which naturally spread waterfowl. Water white lilies, also called nymphs, can be grown in decorative ponds, in barrels in the garden or even on the balconies of city apartments. For growing water lilies need a capacity of at least 45 cm in diameter and a height of at least 50 cm. At the bottom is placed a heavy soil of turf soil, humus, clay and sand, which should cover the roots. On top of the soil it is desirable to sprinkle with pebbles and sand. Water is poured so much that the leaves freely floated on the surface. As the plant grows, water must be poured. In small tanks, the water (partially, by 3/4) is changed once a month, at the same time clearing the tank from extraneous algae and outdated old leaves and peduncles. Water lilies need at least 3 hours of direct sunlight to bloom, but in small tanks in the hot sun the water can overheat, which has a bad effect on the state of water lilies, so a container with flowers should either be surrounded by tall plants that will give the necessary shade or cover up in some other way. Overwinter such plants at temperatures from 0 to +10 degrees. All large leaves are torn off, leaving the smallest leaves. Water is drained so as to cover the leaves, cover and take to the basement or other room with a suitable temperature. In the spring, when the threat of frost has passed, water is poured into a container with lilies and moved to a permanent place.

Hybrid nymph forms are propagated only vegetatively, the rest by seeds or division of rhizomes. You can buy lilies in specialized stores. Planting material for breeding water lilies is sold only in containers, because These plants are very sensitive to moisture loss.

Due to the high starch content in seeds and rhizomes of water lilies, they can be eaten. Flowers and roots of white water lilies contain a mixture of various alkaloids, therefore in folk medicine they are used as a sedative, hypotensive, hypnotic. Crushed leaves and roots have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

Lilies, as many bulbous plants are suitable for forcing in room conditions. To get a flowering lily in a pot, the bulbs are planted in the soil for bulbous plants in late October. Pot for lilies with a diameter of about 15 cm, should have good drainage. 2.5 - 3 months planted bulbs contain at a temperature of approximately + 5 degrees, and then mixed in a visit with a temperature of 15-16 degrees, but at the same time the night temperature should not exceed + 12 degrees. Rooting occurs within a month, after that for the lily you need to find the brightest place, and it is better to organize additional lighting with fluorescent lamps, water it abundantly and sometimes spray it, preventing water from entering the opened flowers.

Flowering lasts about a month, if the flowering plant is kept at low temperatures (+5 - 7 degrees), the flowering can be extended.

After the lily ottsvetet, the soil is kept in a slightly wet state until the leaves and stems die off, after which they are removed, the onion is transplanted into a new ground and sent to rest. The cycle is repeated.

The Amazonian lily or the flower Eucharis (Eucharis), which has no relation to the colors of lilies, often belongs to the lily room, belongs to another family - amaryllis. This is an unpretentious plant. Does not require a lot of light. The most favorable temperature + 15-18 degrees, but tolerates higher temperatures. Water plentifully, but not often. During the growing season, fertilizers are applied, transplanted every 5 years. Propagated by bulbs, which when planting should be completely covered with earth.

Another flower, which is called “black lily” and is not related to the family of real lilies - this is a takaka flower, originally from Africa and Southeast Asia. This flower is a great exotic for our places. You can meet him in greenhouses and botanical gardens.

Lilies belong to monocots and belong to the family of lilies, which includes tulips, grouse, bows, asparagus, lilies of the valley. In the dormitory, amaryllis, clivia, and krinums, belonging to the family of amaryllies, are often incorrectly called lilies, most of which are tropical plants that are widespread in room culture.

The rhizomatous plant of the lily family, the belladonna, or the day-lily (Hemerocallis), also known in the ground culture, is also incorrectly called lilies. Water lilies are called water droplets (Nuphar) and water lilies (Nymphaea) from the buttercup family.

Lily bulbs have an imbricated, more or less friable structure and consist of scales devoid of outer films characteristic of tulip bulbs, onions, daffodils, and other bulbous plants; only coral lily bulbs are quite dense and sometimes covered with a yellowish-brown shell. The number of scales and the density of their fit to each other, as well as their shape and nature of the articulation vary in different types of lilies. The scales of lily bulbs are white, yellow, pinkish brown, purple-brown and pink. After dredging and after drying, the color of lily bulbs often darkens, and the white color changes to pink and yellowish.

The size of the bulbs of different types of lilies in normally developed flowering specimens range from 1-1.5 to 20-30 cm in diameter; in lilies Henry and Kesselring bulbs reach 2 kg of weight.

Bulbs of many species can tolerate, without losing vitality, quite strong freezing; for example, bulbs of Dahurian lilies, tiger and saffron - up to minus 30 °, Tibetan lilies - up to minus 15 °, provided the bulbs are in the ground and more or less gradual freezing and thawing of the soil. In our practice, the scales and fallen axillary bulbs (bulbs) of the most hardy lilies, namely tiger, daurus and bulbonous, were repeatedly carried to the soil surface without snow cover, without losing viability, down to -35 ° C.

The lily bulb has a stem-stem part, which is a convex, in many species, conical or cylindrical formation, from which scales and roots depart and which carries a growth point located in the center. In adult bulbs at the bottom, additional growth points are formed, from which new bulbs are formed, called subsidiaries, and the phenomenon itself is called bulb division. At first, in many species, daughter bulbs do not lose touch with the parent bulb, since they have a common base with it and are enclosed in common external scales. Gradually, the daughter bulbs go to their own roots and form a nest or colony.

Many species, in any case, all the stem-plants, on the lower part of the stem, above the stem roots form the so-called children, onions, growing in the axils of fallen off scales. Commonly onion-kids are formed in the upper layers of the soil or on its surface.

In this way nests or colonies of onion-kids are formed on the soil surface.

In addition, many types of lilies on the stem, over its entire surface or only in its upper part, once or twice in summer form stem stem bulbs called leaf bulbs in the leaf axils; the bullets for “ripening” fall away, in some species they are able to germinate while still on the stem.

From each individual bulb comes out only one stem, rosette or one leaf. The appearance of two or several stems from the ground in the place where one bulb was planted suggests that this bulb divided or managed to give the children the base of the stem, capable of sprouting and sometimes blooming in the first year of its formation. Usually, after the ejection of the stem, the bulb does not perish.

Lily roots in species with large bulbs reach 3 mm in diameter and up to 40-50 cm in length; in species with small bulbs - thinner and shorter; they are perennial and annual.

In some species, such as the white lily (Fig. 1.1), the roots develop only from the base of the onion of the bulb and are fully or partially perennial, why during transplants and transportation they should not be broken and overdried.

In other species, such as tiger lily, Tibetan, Dahurian lilies (Fig. 1, 2), additional roots are formed, extending from the base of the stem above the bulb, these are the so-called stem lilies; these roots die off every year.

According to the structure of the underground parts of the lily are divided into three groups.

1. Species with an onion, giving only an above-ground stalk.

2. Species with underground shoots - stolons, called stolononosnyh lilies. Such stolons are a modified bulb, the bottom of which is stretched into a sprout with rare scales, ending in a bud capable of producing an aboveground plant. Stolons can branch and give in this way several above-ground stalks. In some species, the stolons are shortened, densely scaled with scales and constitute an elongated bulb with an oblong base; The bulbs of such lilies are called rhizomatous. Under culture, stoloniferous lilies often form the normal structure of the bulb. All stolononosnye lilies, such as the proud lily, reproduce well with scales (Fig. 1, 3 and 4).

3. Species in which the stem, coming out of the bulb, grows obliquely underground and often reach the soil surface 20-30 cm away from the planted bulb, while onion grows on the underground part of the stem, as well as stem roots, usually in a small amount. Such lilies (fig. 1, 5) are called loge colony-bearing, and their stems are wandering; the bulbs in them, for example, in the lily of Wilmotte, are not very suitable for pot and tub culture.

In most cases, the stems of lilies are round, only in some species they are tetrahedral. When hybridization is often obtained form with flat and ribbed stems (fasciation).

Stems of lilies crowned with one or more flowers; sometimes, for example, in a hybrid of lilies Maksimovich and Willmott, there are more than 100 of them. Golden lily has flowers up to 25 cm in diameter, flowers of sulfur lily reach 22 cm in length; under the weight of such flowers, the stems bend and often break, therefore, despite the considerable strength of the stems, many-flowered and large-flowered species of lilies need artificial support and a garter, even when grown in places protected from wind. And such a lily as Tibetan, giving up to 30 heavy and large flowers in the inflorescence on a 2-meter stalk, despite the special strength of its thin stems, is unable to retain its inflorescences without support.

The height of the stems of lilies varies from 5 cm in the mountain-alpine form of Dahurian lily to 4 m in giant lily.

The leaves of lilies are usually more or less elongated, elliptical or lanceolate, less ovate and heart-shaped. The length of the leaves in different species varies from 1 to 15 cm, width - from 2 mm to 8 cm. The leaves are bare or pubescent, glossy or dull, always with more or less clearly expressed parallel venation.

In many species, for example, in the lily martagon, the leaves form up to 5–9 verticils arranged in tiers (Fig. 2, 1); in some species, for example, in the oat lily, a whorl is one, it is slightly higher than the middle of the stem, and above it there are only single small leaves. In most species, the location of the leaves on the stem is alternate (Fig. 2, 2). Some lilies, in addition to the stem, form basal leaves, collected in the outlet (Fig. 2.3).

Lily flowers consist of 6 large and brightly colored separate perianth segments, 6 stamens with large brightly colored anthers and a pistil with the upper ovary. The pestle is formed by 6 carpels; the ovary has ovules located on the central placenta, the column is long, with a three-lobed, usually green, less often dark brown stigma. The fruit is a six-sided box, pawing after ripening from above, filled with flat semitransparent, somewhat winged seeds, tightly lying. The size and shape of the box vary from cylindrical to short pear-shaped and club-shaped.

The shape of the flowers of lilies is quite diverse in different species (Fig. 3). There are cup-shaped or cup-shaped flowers directed upwards (for example, in saffron and Dahurian lilies); flowers of the classical type - funnel-shaped, usually semi-thin (for example, in Tibetan and white lilies); talm-shaped flowers with back-shaped perianth segments turned back (by the end of flowering, they are often turned back to the pedicel), usually drooping (for example, in lily martagon and Wilmotte); bell-shaped flowers with curved tips of the perianth segments (for example, Kesselring lily).

At present, many hybrid forms of lilies between species with drooping chalmoid flowers, on the one hand, and species with open cup-shaped flowers, on the other, have been obtained by hybridization and selection. In these hybrids, for example, in Michalin's violet lily, the flowers are directed to the side with a bell. By selection, when sowing, varieties of lilies were obtained with flowers, directed obliquely upward, instead of drooping, inherent in wild forms.

In many species of lilies, terry forms have long been known in culture, and the phenomenon of the terry of a lily flower, as usual, is due to the partial or complete transformation of the stamens and pistil into petal-like perianth segments. Of these forms of lilies, the most common are: 1) the terry form of a tiger lily, perhaps the most beautiful and noteworthy; 2) terry, but rather ugly forms in umbrella lilies and Thunberg.

In our practice, Wilmotte and Dahurian lilies often produced beautiful double flowers, as well as 8-, 10- and 12-petal forms, which were not maintained during seed or vegetative propagation.

We are investigating an extremely peculiar form of the terry, obtained from a seedling of an umbrella lily with light-colored flowers. When self-dividing the bulbs of this seedling, a certain amount (about 1/3) of the specimens is obtained with an exceptionally original spherical flower, formed from several flowers fused together by the ovaries. The number of perianth segments of such “flowers” reaches 24, they are strongly elongated and converge arcuately, touching the upper ends at one point, forming a ball. These flowers bloom 10 days earlier than the normally developed flowers of our seedling (Fig. 4).

Finally, in culture, the terry form of a white lily is known, which represents the degeneration of all the flower organs into green segments of the perianth, having a spherical green "ovary" in the middle. This form is completely constant during vegetative reproduction, and the plant itself is distinguished by its endurance, but has no decorative value and does not produce seeds.

Flowers of lilies are usually collected in inflorescences; single flowers are observed only in weak or first-flowering plants.

Lily inflorescences are simple or complex of different lengths of brush or umbrellas, often collected in several tiers. Crusiform inflorescences usually have a pyramidal shape and are observed in species with zoronkovidnymi and chalmobraznye flowers. Umbrella and mutovchatye inflorescences characteristic of species with cup-shaped flowers, usually have a chandelier shape.

Currently, about 85 are known ( Some Floriculture manuals indicate that about 400 species of lilies are known. This is explained by the fact that the same types of lilies were described several times by different researchers under different names, with the result that the number of names known in the literature reaches 400, due to repeated names (synonyms)) species of lilies, common in the northern hemisphere, namely: in Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus 13 species, in East and Central Asia 52, in North America 20. Of these, 18 species are found in the USSR: in European part 1, in the Caucasus 9, in Siberia and the Far East. There are about 250 garden forms of hybrid origin. Almost all species have been introduced into culture.

The lilies most valuable for ornamental gardening (golden, special, Tibetan, Sargent, Billmott, Dahurian, coral, drooping, etc.) come from East and Central Asia.

Of the European and Middle Eastern lilies, white lily and especially Caucasian lilies — Kesselring, single-sided, Shovitz, Pontic, Ledebour, Georgian, Armenian — should be noted.

These lilies in culture have been studied relatively little, but are valuable for floriculture, especially as starting material for hybridization.

Thus, these types of lilies are of great value and deserve wide distribution in ornamental gardening.

Most lilies live in a cold and temperate climate, often in the high-mountain belt, exclusively in the northern hemisphere, therefore the culture of most species of lilies is quite possible in the vast territory of the USSR, including the middle and northern parts.

Natural conditions for the growth of lilies are extremely diverse. Most species of lilies grow in mountainous areas of the Alpine and subalpine belts, on the slopes of hills and in the valleys of torrent rivers and streams, under the forest canopy, among shrubs, less often on open slopes, among dense grassy cover; Some species grow on bare slopes. Dying grass and fallen leaves of trees and shrubs form a good cover for wintering bulbs. In addition, a layer of loose snow, even with a capacity of up to 10 cm, protects the soil from strong freezing and sharp temperature fluctuations.

In the summertime, shrubs and grasses provide good wind protection and support for lily flower stalks. Thus, the soil near the base of the stems of lilies is usually considerably shaded. The upper part of the stems and inflorescences almost always enjoy full solar illumination, with the exception of a few species of lilies that bloom in some shading. Lilies grow on different soils; Usually, the soil on which lilies grow, to a greater or lesser extent, consists of decomposed layers of dying grass grass and leaf humus, and in the valleys of rivers and streams - silty impurities. Some species grow on humus-poor soils. Many species prefer acidic soil, others require lime. Most lily species require well-drained soils; wherever lilies grow in natural conditions, their bulbs during dormancy are always located in permeable soil with a secure drain.

Lilia got its name from the ancient Gallian word "li-li", which literally translates as "white-white." Its first images are found in Cretan vases and frescoes from 1750 BC, and then among the ancient Assyrians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.

White lily since ancient times - a symbol of innocence and purity. Egyptians decorated with lilies the bodies of dead young girls. In ancient Rome, white lilies were considered colors of grace, wealth and luxury, as well as hope.

Lily is a symbol of France: three crossed lilies are depicted on its coat of arms, which means mercy, justice and compassion. In Christianity, the lily is a symbol of innocence and chastity. The Most Holy Virgin in many Catholic countries was depicted surrounded by garlands of lilies.

The ancient Greeks attributed to lilies divine origin. According to legend, white lilies emerged from drops of Hera's milk - the wife of the lord of the gods Zeus. Theban Queen Alkmena secretly gave birth to the boy Heracles from Zeus, but, fearing being punished by the Hero, hid the newborn in the bushes. However, Hera accidentally discovered the baby and decided to breastfeed him. But little Hercules felt the enemy in Hera and rudely pushed the goddess away. Milk splashed onto the sky, causing the Milky Way to form, and those few drops that fell to the ground sprouted and turned into lilies.

For several millennia BC, lilies were cultivated not only as ornamental, but also as medicinal, cosmetic, and food plants. There is information that in the 4th century BC, the magnificent garden of the Athenian beauty Phryne was buried in white lilies. The capital of Ancient Persia, Susa was called the town of lilies, and its coat of arms depicted several flowers of this magnificent plant.

Young Roman women in honor of the flower competed in the race at the Flora festival (Florals), where the winner was certainly decorated with a wreath of white lilies, and each girl thought herself looking for a similar wreath.

We begin the publication of chapters from the book "Lilies" by Ippolit Leopoldovich Zalivsky. This is a wonderful book that has never ceased to be relevant. Moreover, it is very fascinating, written in good clear language. Thanks to her, lilies will become closer and more understandable. And this is very important, because many are frightened by the modern classification, which only a specialist can understand. Book Zalivskogo - for all.

Fig. 1. Types of lily bulbs. 1 - with a wintering rosette of leaves 2 - stem-rhombus, 3 - rhizomatous, 4 - stolononosnaya, 5 - subglacial with a wandering stalk (orig.)

The number of scales and the density of their fit to each other, as well as their shape and nature of the articulation vary in different types of lilies. The scales of lily bulbs are white, yellow, pinkish brown, purple-brown and pink. After dredging and after drying, the color of lily bulbs often darkens, and the white color changes to pink and yellowish.

The size of the bulbs of different types of lilies in normally developed flowering specimens range from 1-1.5 to 20-30 cm in diameter; in lilies Henry and Kesselring bulbs reach 2 kg of weight. Bulbs of many species can tolerate, without losing vitality, quite strong freezing; for example, bulbs of Dahurian lily, tiger and saffron - up to minus 30 ° C, Tibetan lily - up to minus 15 ° C, provided the bulbs are in the ground and more or less gradual freezing and thawing of the soil.

In our practice, the scales and fallen axillary bulbs (bulbs) of the most hardy lilies, namely tiger, daurus and bulbonous, were repeatedly transferred to the soil surface without snow cover, without losing viability, frosts down to minus 35 ° С.

In addition, many types of lilies on the stem, over its entire surface or only in its upper part, once or twice in summer form stem stem bulbs called leaf bulbs in the leaf axils; the bulbs of "ripening" fall away, in some species they are able to germinate while still on the stem.

Lily roots in species with large bulbs reach 3 mm in diameter and up to 40-50 cm in length; in species with small bulbs - thinner and shorter; they are perennial and annual.

In some species, such as the white lily (Fig. 1, item 1), the roots develop only from the base of the bulb ends and are fully or partially perennial, why they should not be broken and overdried during transplants and transports.

In other species, for example, in tiger lily, Tibetan, Dahurian lilies (Fig. 1, item 2), additional roots are formed, extending from the base of the stem above the bulb, these are the so-called stem lilies; these roots die off every year.

According to the structure of the underground parts of the lily are divided into three groups:

1. Species with an onion, giving only an above-ground stalk.

2. Species with underground shoots - stolons, called stolononosnyh lilies. Such stolons are a modified bulb, the bottom of which is stretched into a sprout with rare scales, ending in a bud capable of producing an aboveground plant. Stolons can branch and give in this way several above-ground stalks. In some species, the stolons are shortened, densely scaled with scales and constitute an elongated bulb with an oblong base; The bulbs of such lilies are called rhizomatous. Under culture, stoloniferous lilies often form the normal structure of the bulb. All stolononosnye lilies, for example, the proud lily, reproduce well with scales (Fig. 1, p.3,4).

3. Species in which the stem, coming out of the bulb, grows obliquely underground and often reach the soil surface 20-30 cm away from the planted bulb, while onion grows on the underground part of the stem, as well as stem roots, usually in a small amount. Such lilies (Fig. 1, p. 5) are called lobster-colonizing, and their stems are wandering; the bulbs in them, for example, in the lily of Wilmotte, are not very suitable for pot and tub culture.

In most cases, the stems of lilies are round, only in some species they are tetrahedral. When hybridization is often obtained form with flat and ribbed stems (fasciation).

Fig. 2. The nature of the location of the leaves on the stem. 1 - whorled, 2 - alternate, 3 - alternate with basal rosette

Stems of lilies crowned with one or more flowers; sometimes, for example, in a hybrid of lilies Maksimovich and Willmott, there are more than 100 of them.

Golden lily has flowers up to 25 cm in diameter, flowers of sulfur lily reach 22 cm in length; under the weight of such flowers, the stems bend and often break, therefore, despite the considerable strength of the stems, many-flowered and large-flowered species of lilies need artificial support and a garter, even when grown in places protected from wind.

And such a lily as Tibetan, giving up to 30 heavy and large flowers in the inflorescence on a 2-meter stalk, despite the special strength of its thin stems, cannot maintain its inflorescences without support.

The height of the stems of lilies varies from 5 cm in the mountain-alpine form of Dahurian lily to 4 m in giant lily.

In many species, for example, in the lily martagon, the leaves form up to 5–9 verticils arranged in tiers (Fig. 2, item 1); in some species, for example, in the oat lily, a whorl is one, it is slightly higher than the middle of the stem, and above it there are only single small leaves. In most species, the location of the leaves on the stem is regular (Fig. 2, item 2). Some lilies, in addition to the stem, form basal leaves, collected in the outlet (Fig. 2, item 3).

In our practice, Wilmotte and Dahurian lilies often produced beautiful double flowers, as well as 8-, 10-, and 12-petal forms, which were not maintained either during seed or during vegetative propagation.

Fig. 3. Types of lily flowers. 1 - funnel-shaped, 2 - wide-open, 3 - cup-shaped, 4 - helm-shaped, 5 - tubular, 6 - bell-shaped

We are investigating an extremely peculiar form of the terry, obtained from a seedling of an umbrella lily with light-colored flowers. When self-dividing the bulbs of this seedling, a certain amount (about 1/3) of the specimens is obtained with an exceptionally original spherical flower, formed from several flowers fused together by the ovaries. The number of perianth segments of such "flowers" reaches 24, they are strongly elongated and converge arcuately, touching the upper ends at one point, forming a ball. These flowers bloom 10 days earlier than the normally developed flowers of our seedling (Fig. 4).

Finally, in culture, the terry form of the white lily is known, which represents the rebirth of all the organs of a flower into green segments of the perianth, having a spherical green "ovary" in the middle. This form is completely constant during vegetative reproduction, and the plant itself is distinguished by its endurance, but has no decorative value and does not produce seeds.

Flowers of lilies are usually collected in inflorescences; single flowers are observed only in weak or first-flowering plants.

Currently about 85 are known. (Some floriculture manuals indicate that about 400 species of lilies are known. This is explained by the fact that the same types of lilies were described several times by different researchers under different names, resulting in the number of names known in the literature up to 400, due to repeated names (synonyms)) of lily species distributed in the northern hemisphere, namely: in Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus 13 species, in East and Central Asia 52, in North America 20. Of these, in the USSR 18 ide: 1 in the European part, the Caucasus 9, in Siberia and in the Far East 8 garden forms of hybrid origin are about 250. Almost all species introduced into the culture.

The lilies most valuable for ornamental gardening (golden, special, Tibetan, Sargent, Billmott, Dahurian, coral, drooping, etc.) come from East and Central Asia.

Of the European and Middle Eastern lilies, white lily and especially Caucasian lilies — Kesselring, single-sided, Shovitz, Pontic, Ledebour, Georgian, Armenian — should be noted. These lilies in culture have been studied relatively little, but are valuable for floriculture, especially as starting material for hybridization. Thus, these types of lilies are of great value and deserve wide distribution in ornamental gardening.

Fig. 4. Terry flower of an umbrella lily (orig.)

Lilies grow on different soils; Usually, the soil on which lilies grow, to a greater or lesser extent, consists of decomposed layers of dying grass grass and leaf humus, and in the valleys of rivers and streams - silty impurities. Some species grow on humus-poor soils. Many species prefer acidic soil, others require lime. Most lily species require well-drained soils; wherever lilies grow in natural conditions, their bulbs during dormancy are always located in permeable soil with a secure drain.

enters into the number of plants of the family under the name lily, in Latin the name of this plant will be as follows: Lilium candidum L. As for the name of the family of white lily itself, then in Latin it will be like this: Liliaceae Juss.

Description of white lily

The white lily is a perennial herb with a bulb, which will consist of a fairly large number of fleshy and tiled scales. Flower stalks of this plant will be bare and straight, they are leafy, and their height will fluctuate between eighty and one hundred twenty centimeters. The lower stems of white lily are alternate and obovate, drooping, while the upper leaves will be lanceolate and they are pressed against the stem. The flowers of this plant are painted in white tones, they are large and fragrant, endowed with a simple funnel perianth, which will consist of six folded leaves. There are only six white lily stamens; the pistil is endowed with a thick three-blade stigma and an upper ovary. The fruit of this plant is a hexagonal box, endowed with numerous flattened seeds. White lily blooms in the period starting from June and ending in August.
Under natural conditions, this plant is found in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia. For the growth of white lily prefers forest mountains. It is noteworthy that this plant can also be cultivated as a garden and indoor plant.

Description of the therapeutic properties of white lily

White lily is endowed with very valuable healing properties, while for the purpose of treatment it is recommended to use bulbs, flowers and leaves of this plant. Flowers and leaves are recommended to be harvested from June to August, while the bulbs are harvested in autumn and early spring.
It should be noted that the chemical composition of white lily is not yet fully known. Nevertheless, it was proved that the bulbs of this plant contain vitamins, sugar and mucous substances. White lily bulbs are endowed with anesthetic, diuretic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects, while the leaves and flowers of this plant are endowed with anesthetic and emollient effects.
As for traditional medicine, there is a fairly widespread alcohol tincture, which is prepared on the basis of white lily bulbs. Such a healing agent should be used in chronic bronchitis as a very effective expectorant, and besides this it is also used as a diuretic and tonic. For various pains in the lumbar region with radiculitis, pain in muscles and joints, it is recommended to use a broth for rubbing. To prepare such a decoction, you will need to take two tablespoons of white lily flowers and two tablespoons of leaves of this plant, which they insist on for one hundred and fifty grams of sunflower oil for three weeks.
In addition, as an external remedy in traditional medicine, the crushed bulb of this plant is used for boils and boils. Actually for such an application you will need to use an onion that has been cooked with milk.
Remove the freckles will help decoction prepared on the basis of white lily flowers. This broth is prepared with honey and mustard flour: all ingredients must be taken in equal proportions. For cosmetic purposes, it is recommended to use water that has been distilled from the flowers of this plant for washing the face. Due to the fact that the chemical composition of this plant is not fully understood, its therapeutic use may not be complete.