Thank you for ordering from Valley
K Greenhouses, to show you how much we appreciate your
business we have included a FREE lily for you
to enjoy!
OUR PRODUCT
We always ship the largest bulbs available. Average
size for orientals is 16/18 cm, asiatics & LA's
12/16 cm. (These measurements indicate the circumference
of the bulb.) OP & AA bulb sizes vary dramatically.
Many bulbs are naturally smaller, and some are naturally
larger. Often we will place an extra bulb in the bag
if we feel the particular variety is a little on the
small side. Each bulb is labeled on the bag, indicating
the same information you will find in the catalog. Bulbs
are packed in vermiculite, sawdust or peat moss, which
can be mixed with the soil at planting time.
OUR GUARANTEE
We guarantee all lily bulbs will bloom the first year
and be true to name. Mistakes can happen, mix-ups occur
and if your bulb blooms other than as named, please
contact us and we will gladly replace it with the correct
variety, a selection of your choice, or issue a credit.
We also guarantee the bulbs will arrive
in prime planting condition. Occasionally a bulb can
spoil during transit, particularly under warm shipping
temperatures. We are more than happy to replace spoiled
bulbs upon their immediate return. We will replace spoiled
bulbs upon their return to us, within 10 days of your
receiving them. We do not replace bulbs for failure
to grow, as growing & planting conditions are
beyond our control. It is your responsibility to inspect
all bulbs upon arrival and to notify us immediately
of any problems. Please call and notify us if you intend
to return items, so we may discuss and arrange the return
in the most timely and efficient manner.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:
Your lilies arrive ready to plant into their permanent
homes. If you are unable to plant immediately upon their
arrival, store them in a cool, dry place. A cold room
or unheated garage works well, a refrigerator is ideal,
however, you should never store flower bulbs of any
kind in the same place as fruits & veggies. Fruits
& veggies give off an ethylene gas, which can be
detrimental to the health & vigor of your bulbs.
Your lilies can be stored in an area as cool as -2 Celsius
until you are ready to plant.
1. Keep in mind the height and particular
variety requirements when choosing a site for your lilies.
2. Lilies prefer sandy, well-drained soil to grow in,
a little bit on the acidic side. Mixing peat moss in
the hole at planting time, and top-dressing around the
lilies with peat moss will add acidity, as will used
coffee grounds.
3. Bulbs should be spaced at least 12 inches or 30 cm apart initially. Dig a hole at least 6 inches deep, deeper if the
bulb is quite large. You can add bonemeal or a bulb
fertilizer to the planting hole, be sure to mix it in
well.
4. Place the bulb with roots facing down in the hole,
and backfill completely. Water well, and then MARK THE
SPOT so you don't accidentally dig them up or chop them
in half next time you are out working in the garden!
Use a marker that stands up to the weather.
AFTER PLANTING CARE:
Your lilies should be top-dressed with compost, well-rotted
manure or bulb fertilizers such as bonemeal each year,
early in the spring. They will reward you with bigger
blooms, and more of them. You may also choose to add
bonemeal just before or shortly after flowering. Most
lilies will need splitting and dividing every few years
as they multiply under ground. We split and divide on
average every 3 years. As a rule, you should split them
when the clumps are getting fairly tight, the flowers
are getting smaller, and you notice they are not as
vigorous as usual.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CERTAIN
TYPES OF LILIES
ORIENTALS: Orientals require extra
protection on the Prairies to survive winters when planted
in the ground. Plant 8" deep, and mulch heavily
in the fall. We recommend spring planting only for orientals,
trumpets & orienpets (on the Prairies). Alternatively
you can plant these types in pots permanently and overwinter
them in your garage, barn or cold room. Orientals will
also benefit from some shade in the afternoon, in areas
which experience hot summers.
ASIATICS & LA HYBRIDS: Plant
in full sun only. L.A. Hybrids will require dividing
and splitting sooner as they multiply prolifically!
TRUMPETS: Plant in full sun, otherwise
treat the same as Orientals.
ORIENPETS: Plant in full sun, otherwise
treat the same as Orientals and Trumpets by mulching
heavily, planting deeply and only in spring (on the
Prairies). Orienpets are easily planted in pots and
overwintered indoors as well.
MARTAGONS: These will thrive in
light shade, but also do well in full sun, providing
the roots are heavily mulched to keep them cool. Martagons
are notorious for sulking after planting, don't despair
if they don't even poke through the ground the first
year. Mark the spot well and look for them the next
year.
AURELIAN - ASIATIC CROSSES: Yet
another newer breakthrough in lily breeding is the Aurelian-Asiatic
crosses, or Asiapets; crosses between hardy Asiatics
and the Aurelian trumpets, resulting in hardy bulbs
with magnificent, huge, fragrant blooms which show themselves
in late August through September. Plant them 8 inches
deep, mulch in zones 1 and 2 is recommended, be sure
these are in full sun. Finally, a fragrant AND hardy
lily for the prairies!
Now go - plant your lilies, whether in
the ground or in pots, and take good care of them, they
will reward you for many years with vigor, beauty and
accomplishment at growing these royal flowers. They
will even produce babies for you to share with your
friends, in time!
Please contact us if you have any questions
or problems.....we want you to succeed and experience
the joy of growing lilies, and get your friends and
family growing them too!
