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Easter Lily Forcing Schedule
For Easter April 4, 1999
Easter this season is April 4 th , 1999 which can be considered an
early to mid Easter date. This Schedule is a general guide and should be used
with your past experience, and your style of growing.
Case cooled bulbs go into cooler one week earlier (October 22 nd 1998)
than pot cooled, as they get their rooting time after cooling. They need to be
checked for moisture and wet down if needed. Also spouting needs to be monitored
and temperature dropped too 35F if it becomes to heavy. Temperature should be
brought up to 65F on December 3 rd . Bulbs should be allowed to warm
in the case two days, as cooling starts from the outside of case, it will warm
from the outside also, giving the same cooling time for bulbs in the center of
the case as on the outside. Grow the same as the pot cooled from here on.
There are notes on potting, drenching and other concerns at the bottom of
this page. And as always if you need further assistance please contact us as
early as possible. Most problems can be fixed with enough time.
Date:
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Days to Easter:
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Comments:
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| October 12, 1998 |
174 |
Bulbs arrive. Plant deep in pot and
drench bulbs immediately. Never let temperature
raise above 70F. If in cooler set temperature at 63F, to stimulate root
growth. |
| October 29, 1998 |
157 |
Start cooling process (vernalization) at 40F- 45F Keep
moist as bulbs that become to dry will not cool properly. If bulbs start
to sprout heavily bring temperature down to 35F. Cool for six weeks (42
days). |
| December 10, 1998 |
115 |
Move pots to greenhouse, cooling is finished. If a crew
is not available turn cooler up to 65F. Bulbs can stay in the cooler if
not spouted; however if they have spouted they need to be moved
immediately to avoid stretching.
Start temperature in greenhouse at a constant 65F or if preferred 63F
night 68F day which gives an average 65F. DO NOT GO OVER 70F AT THIS
TIME, AS THIS WILL DELAY FLOWERING.
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| December 14,1998 |
111 |
Check roots for root problems, drench if necessary. Start
feeding program. |
| December 21, 1998 |
104 |
First plants start to emerge. |
| December 28, 1998 |
97 |
50% of crop emerged. Check roots for problems. Drench as
necessary. |
| January 4,1999 |
90 |
Most of crop should be up. Start insurance
lighting if you know you did not have enough cooling. Start tracking
for height control. |
| January 11,1999 |
83 |
Check roots for problems. Shoots should be 2 inches tall. |
| January 18,1999 |
76 |
Buds should now be forming, plants 3 - 5 inches tall, if
you feel you have time, you can start temperature dip treatment to
enhance bud count. |
| January 25,1999 |
69 |
Shoots 5 - 6 inches tall. Start leaf counting Adjust
temperature accordingly, space lilies and check roots. |
| February 1,1999 |
62 |
Shoots 6 inches tall. Adjust temperatures for timing and
height control. |
| February 8,1999 |
55 |
Check roots continue monitoring temperatures. Shoots are
8 inches tall. |
| February 15, 1999 |
48 |
Some plants may start showing buds. Shoots 9 inches tall. |
| February 22,1999 |
41 |
Half of crop has visible bud. Watch roots closely now to
the end. As the pant is growing very fast now and any root problems will
cause lower leaf yellowing. Also insects will become more prevalent on
the tender buds now coming out. |
| March 1,1999 |
34 |
Bud 1 inch long now. Use bud stick. Watch height and
pests. Shoots 11 inches tall. |
| March 8,1999 |
27 |
Buds 2 inches long. Shoots 12 to 13 inches tall. |
| March 15,1999 |
20 |
Buds 4 inches long. Shoots 13 to 15 inches tall. Some
plants may be in white puffy stage. These may be moved to cooler at 40F |
| March 22,1999 |
13 |
Shoots 16 inches tall. Watch roots and pests. Monitor
temperature, as not much time left. |
| March 28,1999 |
6 |
All lilies should be shipped. |
| April 4,199 |
0 |
Easter Sunday. Happy Easter! |
Potting should be done as early as possible to allow root growth. The bulb
should be placed deep in the pot as Easter lilies grow mostly from their stem
roots. The pot should also be as deep as possible, not a 3/4 or azalea pot. The
soil should offer good drainage, as root problems are one of your main concerns.
Drenching for fungus (Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium) and bulb
mites at planting is highly recommended. Oregon State law prohibits us from
making any chemical recommendations. You can contact your extension agent or
state university for these recommendations.
Insurance lighting is to be used if you did not receive enough cooling in the
vernalization process. To do insurance lighting give plants 15-foot candles
incandescent light from 10 PM to 3 AM, maintain temperature about 65F. One night
will substitute for one lost day of cooling.
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