Easter lily bulbs are harvested in the fall of the year and shipped to commercial greenhouses where they are planted in pots and forced under controlled conditions to bloom for Easter the following spring. The majority of our Easter lily bulbs come to us from the coastal region of Northern California up through Southern Oregon, known as the Easter Lily capitol of the world. This region offers ideal growing conditions to produce a consistently high quality bulb crop.
Let’s take a look at some key areas that will take that bulb crop to the finish line successfully.
Fertilization:
Lilies are grown at a higher soil pH, (6.2 to 6.5), so fertilizer selection is important. Rotate fertilizers as you would for geraniums or other crops that prefer a higher soil pH. Apply a constant liquid feed of 200 ppm from potting until the buds begin to turn white, then 100 ppm until sale. Soil testing should be done on a regular basis to track soil pH and EC.
Disease:
Easter lilies are very prone to Pythium and to a lesser extent Rhizoctonia. Many growers make monthly applications of chemical soil drench fungicides throughout the crop. An alternative is to make one drench application early in the crop and then 1-2 weeks later apply a microbial fungicide. With this approach additional chemical fungicide treatments are usually only applied if a problem is spotted. Crop nutrition plays a role in susceptibility to Pythium. High soluble salts that result from excessive fertilizer can damage roots, especially if the soil is allowed to dry down. That damage increases the risk of Pythium infection. Easter Lily growers should not exceed 200 ppm of fertilizer unless soil testing indicates the need.
Chemical Fungicide Options:
| Fungicides | Disease(s) | MOA | Rates / 100 gal | Comments |
| Affirm | Rhizoctonia | 19 | 4-8 ozs | High rate for curative only |
| Banrot | Pythium, Rhizoctonia | 1 & 14 | 8-12 ozs | High rate for curative only |
| 3336 EG, F | Rhizoctonia | 1 | 8-16 | High rate for curative only. Generic versions are available |
| Fenstop | Pythium | 11 | 8 ozs | Unique MOA |
| Medallion | Rhizoctonia | 12 | 1-2 ozs | High rate for curative only |
| Segway | Pythium | 21 | 1.5-2 ozs | High rate for curative only |
| Spirato GHN | Rhizoctonia | 12 | 1-2 ozs | High rate for curative only |
| Subdue Maxx | Pythium | 4 | 0.5 ozs | One application only at time of planting. Resistance is common. |
| Terrazole L | Pythium | 14 | 5 ozs | Same MOA as Banrot and Truban |
| Truban EC | Pythium | 14 | 4 ozs | No tank mixing |
Microbial Fungicides:
| Fungicides | Disease(s) | MOA | Rates / 100 gal | Comments |
| Actinovate SP | Pythium, Rhizoctonia | NC | 6 oz | Re-apply ½ rate, halfway through the crop |
| Obtego | Pythium, Rhizoctonia | NC | 7.5 oz | Re-apply at 14-21 day intervals |
| Rootshield WP | Pythium, Rhizoctonia | NC | 5 oz | Re-apply ½ rate, halfway through the crop |
| Rootshield Plus WP | Pythium, Rhizoctonia | NC | 5 oz | Re-apply ½ rate, halfway through the crop |
Insect:
The most common insect problems include: bulb mites, fungus gnats (both of these increase root rot potential) thrips and aphids which become more evident in the visible bud stage.
Bulb mites- many publications call for dipping Easter lily bulbs in Kelthane before planting. Unfortunately the Kelthane label does not support such a treatment. Duraguard provides fairly effective bulb mite control and it does have a label that supports soil drenches. Until a better legal option is registered consider drenching with Duraguard at 12-25 oz per 100 gallons. This treatment may also help reduce fungus gnat larvae populations.
Aphids, fungus gnats and thrips- Refer to the Insecticide and Fungicide Options for 2022 bulletin for recommendations.
Plant Growth Regulators:
A-Rest to reduce internode elongation– has been used for many years and most growers are comfortable with its predictable performance. Sumagic and Topflor provide stronger control and have gained favor with other growers.
A-Rest and Abide foliar sprays: The first application should made when plants are 2-6” tall. It can be repeated in 7-14 days if needed per the label. Spray to the point of drip at 33-50 ppm which is 16-24 oz per gallon. Never apply A-Rest after buds are visible. No CapSil.
A-Rest and Abide drench: This provides more control than a single foliar spray of A-Rest. 2ppm is the rate most often used, with a drench volume of 4 ozs per 6” pot. To apply through an injector at a 1:100 ratio, use 100 oz of A-Rest and 28 oz of water to make the concentrate. Drench applications are only made one time when the crop averages 2-6” in height, although the label allows applications until the lilies are 12” tall. Never apply A-Rest after buds are visible.
Sumagic and Concise foliar sprays: Although the label allows higher rates, growers using Sumagic for the first time should trial the 2.5 ppm rate. The range of rates most often used is 2.5- 5 ppm (0.65 -1.3 oz per gal or 19-38 ml per gal) and repeat if needed after 14 days. Never apply Sumagic after buds are visible. No CapSil.
Topflor drench: Based on research the Topflor rate of 0.25 ppm or 0.81 fl oz per 100 gals with a drench volume of 4 oz per 6” pot, should be applied when the plants are 3-4“tall.
Mixing volumes to create a 0.25 ppm Topflor solution
| ppm | ml/gal | fl oz/gal | fl oz/10 gal | fl oz/100 gal |
| 0.25 | 0.24 | .01 | 0.08 | 0.81 |
Final drench volume per pot.
| Pot Diameter | Drench Volume fl oz/pot |
| 4 | 2 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 4 |
| 8 | 10 |
| 10 | 25 |
| 12 | 40 |
Plant Growth Regulators to Increase Internode Elongation and Reduce Lower Leaf Yellowing from Physiological Stresses:
Fascination or Fresco- Can be used to safely add height, reduce leaf yellowing and increase shelf life of blooms to lilies.
Add height:
When spraying Fascination or Fresco it is recommended to do this with graphical tracking to reach height objectives accurately. The rate is 3 ppm or 1/8 tsp per gallon as a spray to the point of drip. Repeat in 5 days if more height is needed. This procedure can also be used as a rescue treatment from a PGR over-application.
Physiological lower leaf yellowing:
A significant problem late in the lily crop can be prevented by two applications of Fascination or Fresco at 5-10 ppm which is 1-2 tsp per 5 gals.
- The first application should be made 7-10 days before the lily schedule predicts the visible bud date.
- The second application should be made 7-10 after buds are visible. Both of these applications need to be made as a coarse spray directed only at the lower 1/3 of the foliage to avoid unwanted stretching. The extra time needed to make this application is well worth the effort, as any grower who has experienced lower leaf yellowing will tell you.
Extending the shelf life of the lily bloom:
- An additional spray of Fascination or Fresco can cause the lily blooms to last up to 24 days rather than the usual 5-8 days. This application can also protect from lower leaf yellowing caused by the cooler. When the largest buds on the plant are 3” long, a 100 ppm spray which is 4.25 tsps./gal, made over the whole plant without causing any stretch.
Information in this bulletin is believed to be correct but it is the responsibility of the applicator to read and follow all label directions. Labels do change without notice. Pesticides other than those listed may be safe, legal and effective. Not all pesticides are labeled in all states.
Products | Item |
Fungicides: | |
Actinovate SP | 71-1117 |
Affirm | 71-1131 |
Banrot | 71-1210 |
3336 EG, F | 71-2550, 71-2575 |
Fenstop | 71-14801 |
Medallion | 71-16502 |
Obtego | 71-2100 |
Rootshield WP | 71-2789 |
Rootshield Plus WP | 71-27951 |
Segway | 71-31102 |
Spirato GHN | 71-2948 |
Subdue Maxx | 71-2979 |
Terrazole L | 71-3025 |
Truban EC | 71-3070 |
Insecticides: | |
Duraguard | 70-21261 |
Plant Growth Regulators: | |
Abide | 73-1155 |
A-Rest | 73-1150 |
Concise | 73-1300 |
Fascination | 73-1910 |
Fresco | 73-1700 |
Sumagic | 73-1951 |
Topflor | 73-2005 |