Lilium El Capitan - Lily

The lily 'El Capitan' does not appreciate chalky, 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 compost. Surround them with a pocket of sand to prevent rot and slug attacks, while allowing them to grow more easily. Mark the planting location, as growth only starts in April. When the stems reach 30 cm in height, discreetly stake them. Some afternoon shade in summer is appreciated to maintain colour intensity.
If red insects appear, treat them immediately; they are lily beetles whose larvae can devour all the leaves. The most effective method is to catch them by hand; be careful, they drop as soon as touched, so place a box underneath. Otherwise, treat regularly with permethrin.
After flowering, it is useful to cut the faded flowers halfway to keep the bed beautiful during the summer.

Tip for planting lilies in compact soil: The scaly bulbs of large lilies fear clayey soils that suffocate them and cause 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 well-packed branches are placed. Cover everything with a thick layer of compost 20 to 30 cm deep. Plant the bulbs in the compost, where you can also let some ground-covering plants creep.

On the terrace, you can create sumptuous potted plants 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 compost and sand. Plant the lilies in groups of 3 to 5 bulbs, 10-15 cm apart, then water generously. Place the pots in a cool room, or outside once the frost has passed. The ambient temperature should be around 12°C. When shoots appear, place the pot in a bright conservatory or room at around 18°C. Feed with liquid fertiliser twice a month until floral buds appear.