Description of varieties of OT-hybrids of lilies, planting and care in the open field
Orienpets appeared as a result of crossing of tubular and oriental hybrids. There are many varieties in this category today, so gardeners have no problem of choice. Planting and caring for OT-hybrids of lilies in the open field is not much different from other varieties, but there are still some nuances. Therefore, before purchasing the variety you like, they study the recommendations of experienced florists, and only after that they start growing.
Description of OT hybrids lilies
A characteristic feature of OT-hybrids of lilies is considered to be a tall and strong stem, on which a very large flower is located, in some cases it reaches 25 cm. The shape of the buds is funnel-shaped or looks like a bowl. Among the lilies there are representatives of both monochrome and multicolor. Red, orange, yellow and pink shades are considered the most popular among gardeners.
Most often, OT hybrids are intended for cultivation in flower farms for cutting. But thanks to the efforts of breeders in recent years, varieties have appeared that everyone can grow in the open field.
Popular varieties
Among the varieties of OT hybrids, gardeners especially liked the following representatives:
- Black Beauty. An almost black lily with a drooping turban-shaped flower. It has very long stamens and is decorated with a thin white border along the edge.
- Beverly Dream. OT hybrid with a wine-red neck and a white stripe around the edge. Beverly Dream has a star shape.
- Big Brother. The flower of these lilies is one of the largest and reaches 25 cm. The stamens inside the lily are black, and the shade is yellow-vanilla.
Main pros and cons
Representatives of this category have their own advantages and disadvantages, which are taken into account before disembarking.
The benefits of OT hybrids include:
- Less susceptibility to disease than other hybrids.
- The tolerance of acidic soils, which is so rich in the middle zone of Russia.
- The presence of many flowers on one stem, their amazing aroma.
The disadvantages of growing these beauties, flower growers include the need for the right choice of place and difficult care in the open field.
The specifics of growing
Before starting planting work, they study the rules for preparing the material and choosing a place. The health of the OT hybrid and the quality of its flowering depend on the literacy of meeting these requirements.
The choice of planting material
Bulbs of hybrids are purchased only in proven gardening stores that have certificates of conformity of the goods. You can also ask for material in a nursery where lilies are bred. Since hybrids are expensive, it is not worth taking the risk of buying them in spontaneous markets, there is a risk of being cheated.
Each bulb is inspected before purchasing - it should not show signs of rotting and mold, as well as friability.
All scales should fit snugly to each other, have a uniform white color. When buying, take into account the place where the lily will be placed, and taking this into account, the height is selected.
Choosing a seat for landing
Only open sunny areas are suitable for growing OT hybrids, and it must be borne in mind that the lower part of the plant should be in the shade, and the buds themselves in the sun. A prerequisite is protection from cold winds and drafts. Just a little airing of the site is enough.
The root system of hybrids reacts negatively to the close occurrence of groundwater and flooding, so a small mound is built, and a flower is placed on it. If the lilies have identified a place in the flower garden, they make sure that it is in the background, otherwise the hybrid will block the light of all low plants.
Correct soil preparation
Heavy soils cannot be used for cultivating hybrids. The soil should be light, fertile, water and oxygen permeable to feed the roots. To correct the quality of the soil, sand is added to it. The hybrids are not sensitive to acidity indicators and develop well even on acidic soil types. But drainage is given increased attention, excess moisture at the roots leads to their decay.
The selected place is dug up and beds are formed, raising them 15-20 cm above ground level.
Planting material processing
Before planting, the bulbs are examined, specimens with damage are discarded, the rest are treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Landing scheme
If there are large hybrid bulbs, they are buried by 10-12 cm, for small ones, 7-8 cm is enough. The higher the lily hybrid, the more it is buried in the ground when planting. A distance of 17-20 cm is left between the flowers.
It is better to sprinkle the roots of the bulbs with river sand when planting, it will absorb excess moisture and will not let the roots rot. A nutritious soil mixture is added on top, which consists of sod land and peat.
The subtleties of flower care
Proper care of hybrids depends on their vitality, health and beauty of the buds.
Watering and fertilizing
During periods when there is enough natural precipitation, lilies do not need additional moisture. They independently saturate themselves with moisture from the layers of the earth. In hot weather, hybrids are fully hydrated, carried out in the morning and evening. It is preferable to pour the liquid under the root rather than on the leaves. However, they observe the measure - with a large amount of moisture, there is a risk of rotting of the bulbs in the ground.
The first feed is given to hybrids in early spring; mineral fertilizer is suitable for these purposes. Repeat the same introduction of the complex at the time of the set of buds. After the flowering process is over, the plant is helped to recuperate. For this, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are added to the soil.
Transfer
To avoid fading lily flowers, the transplant procedure is carried out regularly every 3-4 years. For this, the mother bulb is divided into several parts and seated in the beds.
Loosening, mulching
After each rain or artificial moistening of the soil, it is necessary to loosen the soil. However, they do this very carefully so as not to damage the hybrid bulbs. Along the way, with loosening, weeds are removed that interfere with the development of flowers.
Experienced growers recommend laying a layer of mulch around the flowers to reduce moisture.
For these purposes, peat or humus is used.
Pinching, pinching, pruning
In the first year of cultivation, it is worth giving the hybrid to gain strength, for this, the peduncles are cut off. For the following seasons, faded inflorescences are regularly cut off in order to extend the flowering period. Before wintering, the entire lily stem is cut off in order to fully cover the hybrids.
Breeding rules
There are several simple ways to breed your favorite variety yourself. Each florist chooses, focusing on his experience and skills.
Bulbs
New full-fledged specimens are periodically formed from the buds on the bulb. At the time of transplantation, the plants are carefully separated, soaked in a weak manganese solution and planted in the beds. New hybrids of lilies will soon grow from them - this method is considered one of the simplest and is suitable for novice gardeners.
Children
Small children, formed on an adult lily hybrid, are separated and planted in a separate bed for growing. They need to be provided with a sufficient amount of heat and light, they build a mini-greenhouse, which is cleaned from time to time for ventilation. When the bulbs get stronger, they are transferred to flower beds and looked after like adult lilies.
Scales
Carefully dig up the hybrid bulb and separate the scales from it. It is best to use the largest and top specimens for these purposes. To get planting material, it is not necessary to completely remove the lily bulb from the ground, it is enough to gently rake the soil from above. The collected flakes are pretreated in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate.
Next, take a plastic bag, fill it with a wet substrate and place the dried flakes there. After a few months, small onions form on them, and they are transferred to the open ground in the garden.
Bulb
Airy bulbs that ripen in the axils of lily leaves in the fall are called bulbs. They are fairly easy to separate from the mother plant. After them, in the same way as the scales, they are soaked for several minutes in potassium permanganate. Bulbs are transferred to the prepared bed with a distance of 20 cm between the rows. For the winter period, they are covered with spruce branches or sawdust so that they do not freeze. The first flowers will appear on the hybrid only after 3 years, but thanks to this method, all the varietal characteristics of the parent plant are preserved.
Examples of use in garden design
Luxurious tall OT hybrids will be the centerpiece of any flower bed. You should not place tall lilies in the foreground, they will close the rest of the inhabitants of the flower garden and block their access to sunlight.
The ideal option for placing hybrids would be the second or third row, and undersized crops are planted in front of them. The color of the hybrids is chosen either of one tone, or they play in contrast.
