Stargazer Lily Care

If you are planning up to give your landscape a make over with some spectacularly bright decorations, why not you give a thought on growing some stargazer lilies? Those who have seen this plant, are well aware of the beauty that it casts. And those who haven't come across this lovely piece of nature, would simply be amazed by its flawless beauty, when they do. It is one of those different types of lilies, which never fail to amuse the onlooker. For most people, the pink stargazer lily signifies wealth and prosperity, while the white one symbolizes purity and sympathy. As I said, the looks of the plant may fill you with speculations that caring for it would not be an easy task to deal with. On the contrary, this plant is one of the humble species which are low on maintenance and demand less of attention. All you need to do is to fulfill all the minimal requirements it has.

Caring for A Stargazer Lily Plant

Light
Starting off with the lighting requirements of this plant, experts say that a daily exposure of 6 hours of direct sunlight, is necessary for the lily plant to survive. If you happen to reside at a place where the mercury rises too high, then it is better to plant your lily in a place where it gets morning sun, but is shaded in the afternoon heat. If the plant is placed in an area where it receives partial shade, it will survive, but may be the blooms won't.

Soil
Eight to ten inch must be the depth of the soil while you are preparing it for the plantation. Get rid of any rocks or debris that may be hiding under the soil. Also, ensure that the soil has a good drainage, as otherwise, the stargazer lily bulbs would sit in soggy soil. Add well-rotted manure or compost to it. This would increase water retention, without hampering the soil's ability to drain.

Planting
Early spring is considered to be the ideal time to plant the stargazer lily bulbs. 6 to 8 inch should be the depth that is required to plant the bulbs. Also, add about one teaspoon of bone meal to the soil. Remember to keep the pointed end of the bulbs upwards. Thereafter, cover the planted bulbs with loose soil and press firmly to avoid any air pockets. Grouping multiple plants together is preferable, as it turns out to be a nice display.

Watering
Until the first leaves make their appearance, you must water the bulbs generously. The idea is to keep the soil moist.

Fertilization
The new growth normally appears in spring time. Once it happens, feed the growing plant with fertilizers. Fertilization is also required prior flowering as well. According to experts, you can enjoy big bright flowers, if you use a high phosphorus fertilizer.

in conclusion, pruning is equally an essential part of a stargazer lily care. Blooms which are beginning to fade in color or lose their petals, must be detached from the plant. Do not bother cutting back the plant post flowering. Allow the foliage to grow. Now as winter approaches, you may notice that the foliage is taking on a brownish color. This signals the time when you should cut back the plant to the soil level and give it a cover of 3-4 in layer of old foliage. This would serve as a protective blanket for the bulbs to survive the winter.