Lilium Red Desire - Lily

The 'Red Desire' 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 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 vegetation only starts in April. When the stems reach 30 cm high, discreetly stake them. Some afternoon shade in summer is appreciated to maintain colour intensity.
If red insects appear, treat them promptly; they are red 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 off the faded flowers halfway to keep the bed beautiful during summer.

Tip for planting lilies in compact soil: The scaly bulbs of tall 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 tightly 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 pots with lilies. Choose a container wide and deep enough (at least 16 cm in diameter for 1 bulb). Fill it with a mix 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 frosts have passed. The ambient temperature should be around 12°C. When shoots appear, move the pot to a bright conservatory or room at around 18°C. Apply liquid fertiliser twice a month until floral buds appear.