Lily Lilium 'Vico Queen' (Vi-/a)

Water

Oriental lilies like 'Vico Queen' require consistent moisture, especially when in active growth and bloom. Generally, watering thoroughly once a week is sufficient, but the frequency may need to increase during particularly hot or dry spells to maintain even soil moisture. Depending on your climate and soil type, this could translate to about 1 gallon of water per plant each week. Never let the soil become waterlogged, as this can lead to bulb rot. Over the winter months when the plant is dormant, reduce watering to a minimum, just enough to keep the bulbs from drying out completely.

Light

Oriental lilies, such as 'Vico Queen', thrive in full sun to partial shade conditions. They perform best with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. An ideal spot would be in a garden bed that receives morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, especially in regions with very hot summers, to protect them from intense heat.

Temperature

The 'Vico Queen' lily does well in a range of temperatures but prefers moderate conditions. It can survive minimum temperatures of about 20°F, but ideally should not be exposed to prolonged periods of freezing weather. During the growing season, a temperature range between 60°F and 70°F is ideal for optimal growth and flowering.

Pruning

Pruning 'Vico Queen' lilies involves removing spent flowers and any damaged or diseased stems to encourage healthy growth and potentially more blooms. Pruning should be done after flowering, typically in late summer or early fall. Do not remove leaves until they have yellowed and died back naturally, as they are needed to replenish the bulbs for the next growing season.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for the 'Vico Queen' Lily should be well-draining with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0. A mix of loamy soil, peat moss, and sand or perlite is ideal to provide proper drainage and aeration. Adding organic compost can enrich the soil with nutrients.

Repotting

'Vico Queen' Lilies should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when they become overcrowded. It's best to repot in the late fall after the flowering has finished or in the spring before the new growth starts.

Humidity & Misting

'Vico Queen' Lilies prefer moderate humidity levels. Aiming for a humidity level between 40-60% will help ensure a healthy growth environment for the plant.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place 'Vico Queen' Lily in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.

• Outdoor

  Plant 'Vico Queen' Lily in well-draining soil, partial sun to full sun.

• Hardiness zone

  4-9 USDA

Life cycle

The life of Lilium 'Vico Queen', commonly known as ‘Vico Queen Lily’, begins with the planting of a bulb in well-drained soil, usually in late autumn or early spring. In the initial growth stage, roots develop from the base of the bulb, and a shoot emerges to form leaves and a stem. During the vegetative stage, the stem elongates and leaves expand, gathering sunlight for photosynthesis which fuels further growth. After a period of vegetative growth, the plant enters the reproductive stage, characterized by the development of flower buds atop the stem which then bloom into its distinctive flowers, often in early to mid-summer. Following pollination, potentially by insects attracted to the showy flowers, the plant may produce seeds within a capsule, after which the above-ground portion of the plant begins to die back. Lastly, the bulb enters a dormant phase, conserving energy to survive the winter and restart the life cycle in the next growing season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for the Lilium 'Vico Queen', commonly known as a type of Oriental Lily, is through scaling. This involves removing scales from the basal plate of a mature bulb, which is most effectively done in late summer or early fall when the bulbs are dug up for this purpose. Once the scales are removed, they are typically treated with a fungicide to prevent disease and are then nested in a mixture of peat moss and perlite or vermiculite, ensuring they are kept at a high humidity level. The container with the scales is placed in a warm area, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), and in about six to eight weeks, tiny bulblets will form at the base of the scales. These bulblets can then be separated and planted individually once they have developed a small root system. This technique allows for the production of several new plants from a single bulb, making it an efficient and cost-effective method of propagation.