EFFECT OF NITROGEN ON BULB PRODUCTION, FORCING QUALITY OF THE BULB AND VASE LIFE OF THE FLOWER OF LILIUM ‘ENCHANTMENT’

The effect of basal N, N topdressed and the way of splitting the topdressed N on growth and yield of Lilium ‘Enchantment’ was studied on sand and sandy clay.
Bulbs produced, mostly of circumference 10–12 cm, were forced early and late, and the performance of the flower branches on the vase was assessed.

On sand, good growth was obtained when 75 kg N per ha was applied as basal N and 75 kg N as 3 topdressings in the period mid-May-beginning of July.
For sandy clay negative effects of N fertilization on yield were observed; more research is needed before fertilizer recommendations can be made.

The most important factor needed for good-quality flower branches in forcing and good performance on the vase is NPK-fertilization of the potting soil.
In early forcings 0.75 g NPK-fertilizer (14+16+18), and in late ones 1.0 g is needed per litre substrate.

IV International Symposium on Flower Bulbs

J. van der Boon, H. Niers

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.177.34