Lilium Hocus Pocus - Oriental Lily

The 'Hocus Pocus' lily does not appreciate calcareous, poorly drained, and heavy soils. You will plant it in full sun, with the base in the shade, preferably in spring, burying the bulbs 15 cm deep in a pocket of soil mixed with leaf mould. Surround them with a pocket of sand to prevent rot and slug attacks, while also allowing them to grow more easily. Mark the planting location, as the foliage only starts in April. When the stems reach 30 cm in height, discreetly stake them.
If red insects appear, treat immediately; these are lily beetles which larvae can devour all the leaves. The most effective method is to catch them manually—be careful, they drop off as soon as they are touched, so place a box underneath.

Tip for planting lilies in compact soil: the scaly bulbs of large lilies fear clay soils which suffocate them and causes rot.
In Eastern Europe, the following technique is used to help these bulbs survive the winter. Plant them on 'benches' built above ground level. These benches consist of a first layer of gravel, on which tightly packed branches are placed. Then cover everything with a thick layer of compost, 20 to 30 cm deep. Plant the bulbs in the compost, on which you can also let a few carpeting plants creep.
On the terrace, you can create magnificent pot displays with lilies. Choose a container that is wide and deep enough (at least 16 cm in diameter for 1 bulb). Fill it with a mixture of leaf mould and sand. Plant the lilies in groups of 3 to 5 bulbs, 10-15 cm apart, then water thoroughly. Place the pots in a cool room, or outdoors once the frosts have passed. The ambient temperature should be around 12°C. When the shoots appear, place the pot in a conservatory or a very bright room, at a temperature of about 18°C. Apply liquid fertiliser twice a month until the flower buds appear.