Re: Lilium Kellogii (was More on medit lilies)

David Field wrote:
> 
> Dear all.
> 
> Does anyone have any information about Lilium kelloggii.  I was fortunate
> enough to obtain seed of this plant last year, but the only information I
> had was in the form of an e-mail which was lost when I crashed my computer.
> 
> All I can remember is that this is a woodland plant native of California,
> although I don't know which part.

Hi David
>From  Modern lilies (M.J. Jefferson-Brown)
"Although this has a reputation for being difficult this is certainly
worth trying as it is a graceful, unusual and delightfully-fragrant
little lily related to rubescens and washingtonianum ...Stems may be 18
inches to over twice as high and carry up to 20 hanging flowers". They
prefer an acid, well-drained soil with plenty 
of leafmould. He doesn't mention where they grow in nature.

He actually recommends raising from seed, as odd individuals will often
prove more amenable to cultivation than the general run..

If you are raising them from seed they have what is known as the
hypogeal delayed type of germination. (Lilies are very fussy about this
-there are four different germination groups each with different
requirements.)

This means they need a period of about twelve weeks at 21 degrees C
(76F) which will encourage the formation of bulbs (But not shoots!).
Then the tiny bulbs need a cool period of 6 weeks at 4 degrees C (ie
normal fridge temp). 

The initial period for bulb formation is best done in a polythene bag or
screwtop jar filled with moist vermiculite, making sure to leave a few
seeds at the edge, so progress may be watched. Once the bulbs have all
been formed they can be pricked out into potting compost.

He suggests (for Britain) sowing seed in November and keeping it in a
warm house or glasshouse for the first 12 weeks, afterwards transferring
the little bulbs to cold frames for their cool period. (here I have
found the fridge more convenient and reliable for this). The bulbs will
after that begin to grow foliage during the first summer, but for this
group growth is slow and they should be left in the original containers
for two growing seasons.The young foliage is particularly tender and
protection from cold plus light shading from later sun is helpful. He
adds
"If one can steel oneslf to nip out the first flower buds theplants grow
much better and pay extra floral dividends the following season"

I have raised hypogele delayed seeds myself in the past, but not for
many years now. Unfortunately this group is by far the most fiddly to
manange, but it is quite fascinating to see the seeds being transformed
into the tiny, and at that stage colourless, bulbs.
Good Luck

Moira

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand, SW Pacific. 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Time
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