Lilium Kesla - Lily

The 'Kesla' lily appreciates humus-bearing, slightly chalky, well-drained, and light soils. You will plant it in full sun, preferably in spring, burying the bulbs 15 cm deep in a pocket of soil mixed with leaf mould. Surround them with a pocket of sand to prevent rot and slug attacks, while allowing them to grow more easily. Mark the planting location, as the vegetation only starts in April. When the stems reach 30 cm high, discreetly stake them.

If red insects appear, treat them immediately; they are red lily beetles whose larvae can devour all the leaves. The most effective method is to catch them by hand; be careful, they drop as soon as touched, so place a box underneath. Otherwise, treat regularly with permethrin. After flowering, it is useful to cut the faded flowers halfway to keep the bed beautiful during the summer.

Tips for planting lilies in compact soil: The scaly bulbs of tall lilies fear clayey soils that suffocate them and cause rot. In Eastern Europe, the following technique is used to help these bulbs survive the winter. Plant them on 'benches' built above ground level. These benches consist of a first layer of gravel, on which tightly packed branches are placed. Cover everything with a thick layer of leaf mould, 20 to 30 cm thick. Plant the bulbs in the leaf mould, on which a few ground-cover plants can also be allowed to creep.

On the terrace, you can create sumptuous pots with lilies. Choose a container that is wide and deep enough (at least 16 cm in diameter for 1 bulb). Fill it with a mixture of garden soil, leaf mould, and sand. Plant the lilies in groups of 3 to 5 bulbs, 10-15 cm apart, then water abundantly. Place the pots in a cool room, or outside once the frosts have passed. The ambient temperature should be around 12°C. When shoots appear, place the pot in a bright veranda or room, at a temperature of around 18°C. Make liquid fertilizer additions twice a month until the flower buds appear.