Propagation
Sow fresh seed in boxes or pots during autumn at a depth of 10 mm (? in) and mulch with 20 mm (ľ in) of peat. The seeds take 1 to 2 months to germinate.

Collect aerial bulbils and plant them in pots or boxes and keep them moist. Lift and divide the bulbs flowering. Plant the bulbs to a depth of 130 mm (5in) in spring.


Botanic information
Leaf: The mid green linear to narrow lanceolate leaves are arranged in whorls or scattered up the stem. The upper surface has 2-4 lateral veins and the apex is acute.

Flower: The large funnelform flowers have a wide mouth with 6-tepals that are recurved and 6-large exserted stamens. They are solitary or are arranged in a terminal umbel with 3 to 10 blooms and appear from summer to autumn. They are white on the inside and the outside is suffused in wine-purple. There are many cultivars with varying colours including pink, yellow and red.

Fruit: The fruit is elongated capsule which has three chambers filled with small papery seeds. The plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively and has scaly non-tunicate bulbs.The seeds are very viable and have naturalised in parts of Australia.

Culture
TheLiliumspecies must have very well drained soil that is slightly acidic. If the soil is clay based used raised garden beds or add potting mix to the soil to improve the drainage, but if the soil is sand based you may need to add potting mix. They tolerate drier conditions but prefer to be mulched and kept moist (not wet). Avoid using compost or organic material in the soil as it retains too much water, mulch on top of the soil.
They prefer ample light but some of the pail colours may benefit from dappled light during the hot part of the day. Mulch the plants and fertilise regularly during the growing period as the bulbs store food for the following season.

Prior to planting fumigate the soil to reduce fungal and insect attack and plant in pre-fertilised soil. Ideally the planting should have the bulbs in a cool shaded position with the foliage and flowers in full sun, ie. emerging from under Rhododendrons. Plant at a depth of 2 to 3 times their hight and 3 times their width. After the foliage has emerged folia fertilise every 14 days and spray fungicide once a month.

There are increased flowers per stem, as the bulb becomes older so lift only when necessary. When lifting be certain that the bulbs remain moist, as they don't have a protective layer and replant immediately or store in a cool moist position.

Cut Flowers
As cut flowers liliums should be picked just as the bud gains full colour and begins to open, this will avoid handling and arrangement damage. As the bulb only produces one stem be certain to leave enough stem for continued growth through the season to feed the bulb. If the stem is cut too short the plant may fail to flower in the following season or may take up to two years to recover.
When preparing the flowers remove leaves from the lower half of the stem and re-cut the ends before placing in water containing flower preserver.