Gloriosa Lilies Tropical, Mystical Make This Very Practical Teach You All My Mistakes What I’Ve Found? If I Can Grow Callas, I Can Grow Anything
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Patrick Zweifel -- Oregon Coastal Flowers Gloriosa Lilies Tropical, Mystical Make this very practical Teach you all my mistakes What I’ve found? If I can grow callas, I can grow anything. First time for everything Experiences in Purchasing Experiences in Growing Experiences in Marketing Gloriosa Lilies, Facts AKA Flame Lily, Climbing Lily Tuber Native to South Africa & Asia Commercial Species: Gloriosa Superba Most common selections: Gloriosa Rothchildsiana (Red), Gloriosa Lutea (Yellow), Orange 6-8’ Mature Size Life Cycle of a Gloriosa Tuber Growth Habit Tuber size directly proportional to the quantity of side stems 5 stems on average Require sturdy growth support, netting doesn’t work Tendrils on leaves supports the plant during growth Growth Habit Plant tubers horizontal 2 to 3 inches deep. Plant 2 rows per bed. 3 to 8” apart within the row and the rows 20” apart. Reality. Well draining, loose soil. Growth Habit Growing temps: Optimum soil temperatures of 68 degrees 59-86 degrees are acceptable 46 to 93 degrees are absolute limits. Subtropical, require high humidiy. Require well drained, friable soil, pH of 5.8-6.5. Practically Speaking: How I Grow Under cover, leaves tubers in ground. Compost application every winter only source of nutrients Shut water off in early fall Turn water on in late spring Leave sides on the greenhouse late Put sides back on the greenhouse early Maintain weed free environment Cut flowers Storage/Sprouting of Tubers Digging/Curing Process Storage: 62-64 degrees with high humidity optimum Storage as low as 46 degrees. Prevent drying out by using sand, peat moss, or sawdust Can be stored for up to 8 months (20 months?) Sprouting using high humidity and high temperatures (86 degrees) Best to plant with swollen terminal tip. In perfect climate, can get 3 crops/year. How to sell? Price? Pack? Stems? How to Cut? Length? • 3 to 5 flower buds/stem – set realistic standards Color Selections Vase Life • 5 to 7 days each individual flower • 2 to 3 weeks per stem (one month) • Flowers fade after time Sourcing of Tubers Domestic India, New Zealand, Holland [email protected] I can send you the world’s best information on gloriosa lilies. .