Lilies, such as Asiatic and Oriental hybrids, are often sold in the tight, colored bud stage to maximize their time in your home. Florists harvest them this way because the buds are less prone to damage during transport and open slowly, ensuring the longest possible vase life. Successfully opening these buds involves specific techniques, moving them from a state of dormancy to full bloom.
Essential Initial Care
The moment you bring cut lilies home, proper conditioning is necessary for the stems to effectively absorb water and nutrients. Begin by removing all packaging and any damaged leaves or outer petals. Remove any leaves that would fall below the waterline, as submerged organic material quickly decomposes and introduces bacteria that clog the stem’s vessels.
Prepare a clean vase filled with fresh, cool water and commercial flower food. Flower food contains sugar for nourishment, an acidifier to aid water absorption, and a biocide to inhibit bacterial growth. Before placing the lilies in the vase, use a sharp, clean knife or shears to cut about one inch off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This diagonal cut maximizes the surface area for water absorption.
Techniques for Encouraging Bud Opening
Once initial preparation is complete, use environmental adjustments to encourage the buds to open quickly. Lily buds respond to warmer temperatures and increased light, mimicking natural blooming conditions. Placing the vase in slightly warmer water initially, often called a warm water bath, can jump-start hydration.
Warmer water has lower viscosity than cold water, allowing for faster uptake by the stem. Following this initial treatment, move the vase to a location that receives bright, indirect light. Increased light exposure promotes photosynthesis, providing the energy needed for the lily flowers to unfurl their petals.
While warmth encourages blooming, avoid placing flowers in direct, hot sunlight, which can cause petals to wilt or buds to dry out. A common issue preventing buds from opening is exposure to ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone released by ripening fruit, decaying matter, and cigarette smoke. Lilies are sensitive to ethylene, which can cause buds to fail to open or flowers to drop prematurely.
If buds are tightly clustered, gently separate them to ensure each bud has space and light exposure. The buds will often begin to show the final bloom color just before opening. Using these environmental cues, you can often prompt colored buds to open within 24 hours.
Ensuring Long-Term Display
Once the lily buds have opened, maximizing the display’s longevity requires consistent maintenance. The most important step is managing the pollen produced by the anthers, the small, sac-like structures inside the bloom. As soon as the flowers open and the anthers are visible, gently remove them before they release their characteristic yellow or orange pollen.
Removing the anthers serves two primary purposes: it prevents the pigmented pollen from staining petals, clothing, or furniture, and it extends the vase life. Pollen removal inhibits fertilization, signaling the plant to divert energy toward keeping the petals fresh rather than producing seeds. Use a piece of tissue or a small brush to remove the entire anther, taking care not to let the powdery substance touch the petals.
For daily care, ensure the water level is consistently high and change the water entirely every two to three days. When changing the water, always refresh the flower food solution to maintain the nutrient and biocide balance. If the flowers are not absorbing water well, use a sharp blade to re-cut the stem ends at an angle before returning them to the fresh solution.
To slow down the aging process once blooms are open, move the vase to a cooler location, away from direct heat sources and drafts. Cooler temperatures decrease the flower’s metabolic rate, helping the petals remain firm and vibrant. By removing the pollen and maintaining a cool, clean environment, you can extend the enjoyment of lily blooms for up to two weeks.