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I was offered some Formosa lily seeds four years ago through an internet garden forum. Doubtful of my success in growing the seeds, I was eager to give it a try. About 100 seeds arrived in late summer 2002, and I sowed them directly into a garden row. In spring of 2003 I waited (and waited) to see if they would germinate. Finally toward the end of May three (ONLY THREE) tiny seedlings ermeged from the soil. At about two inches I transplanted them into a large pot mixed with peat moss, sand and top soil. I left them on their own the rest of the summer until they had grown to about 6" in height. In early fall I set them into their permanent place in the perennial garden where they remain to this day. I had watched them grow over the three years since, and was skeptical they would ever survive, let alone mature! Even this spring (2006) I thought they had rotted since no signs of growth emerged until mid-May. I have watched them closely this entire summer, and to my amazement their stems grew taller than ever before. What is more amazing is the fact each has developed buds- the tallest stem has nine (9)! The shortest stem measures only 36" in height and has one (1) bud which bloomed today, August 29. Will miracles never cease?
Entries and Updates
Aug 15, 2006
It would be easy to jump ahead in this on-going saga of "from seed to bloom", but I think it is important to show a little more of the progress it has made here in Zone 5 during the past four years. Unfortunately I only have the progress in pictures for the past few weeks. I have gone to several Googled sites, and have found some good information; however, there is some information that is confusing. I'm in Zone 5, so I KNOW it grows here, although the USDA (& others) seem to think it hardy only in warmer areas (USDA REF: [HYPERLINK@plants.usda.gov]). I have read one report from Rob's Plants ([HYPERLINK@www.robsplants.com]) where the USDA Zones are more realistic- Z5-8! Rob's picture at the above link is exceptional, and matches the flower I am growing as L. formosanum.
In my picture below I am showing a stem with nine (9) buds taken on August 15, 2006 at 56". Today, Aug. 29, 2006 it stands at 72"- exactly six feet tall.
Aug 15, 2006
This picture is a close up of the preceding photo. The intent is to show the developing buds.
Aug 15, 2006
This picture shows the three stems of the sole surviving seedlings. One (at right) is 36" high and has one bud; the one at left is approximately 38" and has three buds. The center one is 'massive' at 72", and has nine buds. The first bud to bloom is the sole bud on the stem at right. (All of the first three pictures were taken August 15, 2006.)
Aug 23, 2006
The buds eventually curve outward and down as they develop. That is the purpose of this picture taken August 23, 2006.
Aug 29, 2006
This picture is an August 29 update of the top two pictures. Its purpose is to show the development of the bud cluster, and how they begin to elongate and point downward.
Aug 29, 2006
And finally here is a picture from today showing the first bud opening. Even with the all day rain and drizzle I could not let this 'first' escape the camera.
Aug 29, 2006
And here is a shot where I held the stem back for an 'inside' look.
