Lilium ledebourii cultivation

[Kathy1987]

Hello together,

I was able to order some seeds of Lilium ledebourii. Because they were very expensive I don’t want to do anything wrong.
Does anyone have experiences with germinating and growing this species?

Thanks for your advices in advance!

Regards
Kathy

[ArnoldT]

Kathy

Have a look here.

Darm Cook is a lily grower  extraordinaire


https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/LilyGerminationBySpecies

[ArnoldT]

Bit more, Kathy.

https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/LilyGermination

[Kathy1987]

Hi Arnold,

very helpful articles! Thank you very much!

[Rick R.]

See here, too:
EFFECT OF ALTERNATING AND CONSTANT TEMPERATURE ON SEED GERMINATION OF CHELCHERAGH LILIY (LILIUM LEDEBOURII) IN IRAN

https://wwwlib.teiep.gr/images/stories/acta/Acta%20673/673_35.pdf

[Kathy1987]

Hi Rick,

the article is not easy to read but as far as I understood it precises the germination method which is described in the articles on the PBS website.

That’s also useful! Thank you!

Regards
Kathy

[Tristan_He]

Hi Kathy,

I have tried this species on a couple of occasions. As others have said the seed needs a cold period to germinate, but the problem is keeping it going, as it is slow-growing and seems to sulk in a pot. I've never got it to flowering size. Do any others have experience of its cultivation?

Tristan

[Leena]

I have sowed L.ledebourii twice. The first seeds didn't germinate, but the second time they did after normal first warm and then cold period. My mistake was that I planted the seedlings (the potful in the same place) outside when they were only one year old, and they never came up the next spring. In the same bed martagon seedlings were fine.

[Diane Whitehead]

I have tried about six times.  The seeds germinate but don't carry on the next year.

I read that it requires alkaline soil, which I do not have.

[Kathy1987]

Thank you all for your advices! I will report how the seeds and hopefully then seedlings will develop.

 

Regards
Kathy

[Rick R.]

Yes, the paper I linked to says the same as Arnold's link, and goes into more detail with temperature.
-- In the first warm cycle, seed germinated best at 17C, and a little better if it is preceded by 2-4 weeks at 26C, and then 17C.
-- The cold treatment of 3-5C required was minimum 8 weeks.
-- 20C seemed to be the best for the emergence of the first leaf.
-------------------------------------------------------

I have germinated 3 year old L. ledebourii seed that was stored at room temperature (obviously, not the best to do!) . It wasn't easy, however germination was quite uniform.  I had the seed inside a small baggie, so I could actually see when the seeds first sent out their roots.

 I didn't keep track of timing very well, so I don't recommend this timeline, but this is what I did:
-- 23 November, 18C.
-- 30 March, 4C.
-- 1 June, 18C.
-- 1 December, 16C.
-- 80% germination (not leaf sprouting, of course) by 15 December.

[Leena]

Thank you Rick for so detailed information:).