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We'd like to give some more information regarding lilies. As we ourselves only grow them for cutflowers, we will focus mostly on these. All current lily varieties originate from some one hundred wild lily species, most of which grow naturally in the Northern Hemisphere of Europe as well as Asia and Northern-America. The most famous of these lily species include Lilum Candidum (the white 'Madonna-lily', well-known in Western Europe), Lilium Auratum, Lilium Regale, Lilium Longiflorum and Lilium Speciosum. Most of these species are further divided into sub-species because of small differences. Not too long ago L. Speciosum was cultivated as a cutflower. Originally it was native to Japan, Taiwan and China. L. Speciosum has some differing natural varieties like L. Speciosum var Album (thus Lilium Speciosum variety Album) and L. Speciosum var Rubrum. The former carries white blooms while the latter has pink ones. Some selections of these have been taken and have been cultivated further like 'Uchida'. Some twenty years ago we grew this variety, but its small sidewards facing flowers were no match for the big upfacing flowers of Stargazer', bred in the USA in the seventies. By means of crossing these species and their varieties, new lilies came about with characteristics of multiple species. These lilies are called hybrids. Some species intermingle easy enough whilst others don't. Species that are somehow related are usually the easier crosses. Thus these species are grouped into 'sections' (based upon flower form, geographic occurrence, evolutionary links etc...). An example of such a section is Oriëntal which comprises the species L. Alexandrae, L. Auratum, L. Japonicum, L. Nobilissum, L. Rubellum and L. Speciosum. Crosses between species in the section Oriëntal will thus deliver the so-called group of Oriëntal hybrids, amongst which 'Stargazer' is but one of many. Other groups of crosses do exist, but for cutflower lilies only the Asiatic hybrids and the Longiflorum hybrids matter. The Asiatic hybrids group consists of all crosses between species in the section Asiatic. The Longiflorum hybrids are crosses between the species Longiflorum and species within the section Asiatics, thus the better-known Longiflorum-Asiatics (LA). The hybrid lilies that are thus grown are cultivated further asexually (so not through pollen, anthers and seed, but through tissue culture, dividing the bulbs or growing the stem bulblets). This way the requested number of genetically identical bulbs can be grown and we have a cultivar (from cultivated variety) like 'Stargazer'. Thanks to recent technical developments like embryo culture it is now possible to make crosses between species that were previously considered too far away from one another. As of today these intersectional crosses are mainly limited to Oriëntal-Trumpets (OT) and Longiflorum-Oriëntals (LO). It is quite difficult sometimes to discern between the different groups of lilies as crosses continue between species over and over again. At the flower auctions lilies are split up into four different 'groups': Asiatics (AS), Longiflorums (LF), Longiflorum-Asiatics (LA) and Orientals (OR). The newer Longiflorum-Orientals (LO) are being sold as longiflorum, whilst the Oriental-Trumpets are being seen as oriental. At the Dutch flower auctions, which represent some 60% of world trade in flowers and plants, lily is at a comfortable fourth place of flowers according to turnover (after roses, chrysanthemums and tulips). When looking at number of stems they are at sixth place (gerbera and freesia are sold in bigger numbers). In the year 2002 total lily turnover was some 170 million euros for around 400 million stems. In number Orientals are most important, followed by Asiatics, LAs and Longiflorums. Orientals are the most expensive ones, followed by Longiflorums, LAs and Asiatics.
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ASIATICS Asiatics are characterised through their vast colour spectre and their high bud count. They have the shortest growing period, at around 90 days or less. The flowers are erect, rather small, flat and are placed one above the other, each linked directly to the main stem. They are the most susceptible to light deficiency and are thus difficult to grow in winter. The Dutch flower auctions sell some 120 million stems annually. The proportion of Asiatics compared to other groups is decreasing fast because LAs are replacing them. The main colours within Asiatics are yellow (40%) and orange (30%). The then most sold cultivars are (in descending order): 'Brunello', 'Gironde', 'Navona', 'Dreamland', 'Monte Negro', 'Vivaldi', 'Cordelia', 'Solemio', 'Hilde' and 'Elite'. These ten together account for almost 60% of all Asiatics. Some 100 cultivars are sold by name. Not much breeding is being done here as this is already the oldest group and the LA hybrid group seems set to replace this group mostly. An enchanting cultivar which still has to enter trade is 'Dotcom', a pink asiatic with a darker pink spotted center.
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LONGIFLORUM Longiflorums only exist in the colour white. As seen above, Longiflorum in fact is a species instead of a group, thus the differences between cultivars are rather small. They bloom sidewards with long buds that open cup-formed. They need a longer growing period of about 110 days. They usually have fewer buds, while these buds part from the main stem at one common place. They can grow without a lot of light, so they're quite easy to grow in winter if you don't forget that they need higher temperatures. Some 80 million stems are sold annually at the Dutch flower auctions. The five most sold varieties are 'Snow Queen', 'White Elegance', 'White Europe', 'Snow Cap' and 'White Heaven'. These five together add up to some 70% of all lilies sold. About 20 cultivars are sold by name. Breeding within longiflorums continues, especially along the path that leads towards bigger flowers and better durability. Sometimes unexpected surprises do see light of day like 'Deliana' which has slightly yellow flowers. The so-called 'coloured longiflorums' are longiflorum-orientals however.
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ORIËNTAL Orientals are renowned for their massive flowers and they may bloom sidewards as well as upfacing. The flowers open flat whilst some of the petals may reflex more or less. The colour spectre is limited to white, pink and (almost) red, with sometimes a bit of yellow too. They are also quite remarkable for their strongly scented flowers. They have the longest growing period of all groups with 120 days or more. They will bloom with ease in Winter as they don't need a lot of light. But, as with the longiflorums, they do need higher temperatures. Orientals are the most important group of lilies. At the Dutch auctions some 165 million stems are sold annually. The ten most important cultivars are 'Stargazer', 'Mero Star', 'Sorbonne', 'Siberia', 'Expression', 'Pompei', 'White Merostar', 'Le Rêve (Joy)', 'Sissi' and 'Acapulco'. These 10 account for some 65 % of all orientals. Some 160 cultivars are sold by name. A lot of breeding is being done in this group, but for revolution instead of evolution one has to look at the oriental-trumpets.
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LA (LONGIFLORUM-ASIATIC) This hybrid group adds a wider colour spectre compared to longiflorums. Compared to asiatics, bigger flowers are its main asset. The flowers are usually closer together than is the case with asiatics. They are less light susceptible (although this is hugely relative!) and some varieties grow excellently in winter. The bud count is alas somewhat lower. They flowers are usually slightly cup-faced and these can be sidewards as well as (partly) upfacing. They have a growing period in between Asiatics and Longiflorums. Fifty m illion is the approximate number of stems sold annually of this group. Most are, like Asiatics, orange and yellow, although orange is the dominant colour (45% as compared to 25%). The top 5 comprises 'Salmon Classic', 'Royal Fantasy', "Aladdin's Dazzle", 'Wiener Blut' and 'Donau'. These 5 add up to about 55% of all LAs. Some 60 cultivars are sold by name. Lots of new cultivars enter the market each year. Currently a lot of attention is given to the colours pure white, dark red and deep yellow. Another point of interest are cultivars with higher bud count and buds that open more slowly.
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OT (ORIËNTAL-TRUMPET) Oriental-Trumpets are the result of crossing Oriental with Aurelians. Aurelians themselves are crosses within the section Trumpet where L. Henryi is always involved and L. Longiflorum never is. The big flowers and strong scent of the orientals are inherited characteristics whilst the Aurelian ascendancy has introduced a wider colour spectre. Buds may be placed sidewards as well as upfacing, whilst the blooms can be cup-faced or flat. Their foliage is usually much stronger and durable than is the case with orientals. The number of OTs sold annually is neglectable. Only a few cultivars are as yet of any significance: 'Orania' (orange), 'Yelloween' and "Conca d'Or" (both yellow). As far as we are concerned, this is the group with the brightest outlook and the most promising future. They are less susceptible to diseases than orientals and can thus be grown more environmentally friendly. The huge scented flowers in a wide colour range are without a doubt appealling to the masses. A lot of new, mostly yellow, cultivars are hitting the markets nowadays, but other colours will follow before long: 'Robina' (pink), 'Fire and Ice' (cream and red), 'Zagora' (white and red), 'Visaversa' (red), O'Hara (white).
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LO (LONGIFLORUM-ORIËNTAL) In a way Longiflorum-Orientals are also Oriental-Trumpets because Longiflorum is considered a species within the section Trumpet. Reality however is that this is looked upon as something different. They resemble Longiflorums but the flowers open much wider and other colours are available, mainly the pinks and reds from the Oriental colour range. There's not much information as yet about their qualities or shortcomings. At only a few thousand stems being sold annually, LOs are practically unheard of commercially. Currently only 'Prince Promise' and 'Triumphator' are of any importance. A lot of crosses in this group are much alike as only the amount and intensity of pink varies somewhat with at times more or less reflexing flowers. We are looking forward however to the introduction of the dark pink 'Divine'.
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Sources: -McRae,
Edward A. "Lilies: a guide for growers and collectors."
Timber Press: Oregon, USA, 2001, 392 pp.
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