Lilia Marlene: Variety description, planting and care

The variety of varieties of lilies is impressive, but breeders do not stop there and bring out more and more flowers-hybrids with completely untypical properties. Thus, the lily of Marlene flower is unusual in that it can simultaneously release up to 100 flower cups on one stem. The photos of this lily in bloom look fantastic, but the appearance of this flower is the result of the whims of nature.

Origin of the species

Lilia Marlene (Marlene) combines the qualities of the representatives of the Asian group and lily-lingiflorum. From the first, she inherited resistance to colds and early flowering, as well as abundant formation of young shoots and ease in rooting. The unpretentious in care and strong flowers of the Asian group are often used as a basis for new varieties.

Description of the Marlene variety

The stems of the Marlene lily are pale green, reaching usually 90-100 cm in height. The leaves grow alternately, have an elongated and pointed form, the average size is 13x1.5 cm.

The flowers are large, 15-20 cm in diameter. The petals are gently pink on the tips, to the center of the flower change the color to almost white. On the inner petals there are small dark red spots.

In the zone of temperate climate, the lily blossoms in 75-80 days after the appearance of the first shoots above the ground.

Features of Marlene lily

Its unusual appearance is due to its tendency to fasciation (mutation), due to which it becomes possible to connect several stems into one. The process of fasciation occurs even at the stage of nucleation of growth points, so that above the ground surface there is already seen a fused thick massive stem, on which buds for many buds are formed.

Another feature of the Marlene lily is that it does not smell at all, which is a plus for those who consider the smell of lilies too dense and suffocating.

This lily, a variety of Marlene, is perfect for creating bouquets: a gentle flower can for a long time keep its freshness in the water.

Variable nature of the hybrid

Marlene's multicolor can appear for the first time for 2-3 years after the kidney is separated from the mother plant. In some cases, fasciation does not occur at all or is weakly expressed, and there is no expected bouquet on one stem. Do not immediately blame the dishonest seller: perhaps, it is in the conditions of the growth of the lily in this particular situation. A sign of the variety will be a pair of dozen buds on one stem.

Under normal conditions fasciation can be caused by atypical weather events, mechanical damage to the bulb and shoots during planting, the use of bioregulators and flowering stimulants. But to cause a mutation is intentionally almost impossible, although among fans there is an opinion that the quantity of flowers can be affected by excess fertilizers. To this end, the plant is fed at a frequency of once a week, but the relationship of such care with the fasciation of lilies of the Marlene variety is not proved. While experts agree that the unusual properties of Marlene are due to an increased inclination of the species to fuse the flowering stems.

Lilia Marlene: landing

To land Marlene in the ground is best suited for the period of mid-spring, closer to the beginning of May. It does not matter if the bulbs are purchased in the fall, in which case they should be left for the winter in a cool place, so as not to provoke the awakening and growth of young shoots. Some sources are recommended to prevent premature germination of the bulbs put them in the refrigerator.

The depth of planting depends on the size of the bulb: it is quite young enough to dip 10 cm into the ground, and for large depths it should be increased to 20 cm (maximum).

If you are to land in clay soil, you must first enrich it with humus, peat and sand. In sandy, respectively, add a little clay and all the same humus and peat. It is important to know that lilies are categorically contraindicated in fresh manure, so a concentrated fertilizer can kill a plant, especially for young bulbs.

To land lilies Marlene should choose a place that is sunny enough, but protected from wind and drafts. Shade and too sharp air currents can lead to the fall of buds, weaken the lily. And for a 100-flowered bouquet, which is famous for lily Marlene, favorable conditions are necessary.

How to care for the lily Marlene?

From varieties of Asian group lily Marlene, planting and caring for which is not at all complicated, inherited resistance to unfavorable conditions. These extraordinary colors require no more painstaking care than the most common of their brethren. Lilies will be grateful for the timely loosening of the soil around the stalk, regular watering and top dressing with complex fertilizers.

In the season lily Marlene requires three additional fertilizing:

• At the time of active plant growth, nitrogen-containing compounds are needed;
• During the formation and growth of buds it is desirable to introduce a complex fertilizer into the soil;
• To strengthen the bulb after the flowering, the plant needs phosphorus and potassium.

Approximately in early October, you should stop watering the plant, cut the dry stem and cover the elevated part of the lily with a film, leaving a hole for ventilation. In this form, the lily Marlen can remain until the first frost. The film is necessary to ensure that the earth around the bulb remains dry at the time of the onset of cold weather. Humidity combined with frost will be fatal to the lily.

For the winter, the film needs to be removed, and the plants covered with peat and leaves. A 10 cm layer can reliably protect lilies from low temperatures.

Lilia Asian Marlene: reproduction and transplantation

Once in 3-4 years, the bulbs of the lily of Marlene need a transplant. Usually they are excavated in autumn, after the plant "falls asleep". At the same time, it is possible to separate the young bulbs that bud from the maternal. In spring they are planted in shallow holes. In the first year, most likely, the lilies will not bloom, but the bulb will gain strength and grow stronger. This is a very important time, young plants require particularly careful care. The same applies to the germination of Marlene lilies from scales.

These are the basic recommendations for caring for the unusual lilies of Marlene, they mostly repeat the general rules for all lily rules.