Greenhouse growers that do their own Easter Lily forcing should plan to receive bulbs soon if pot cooling and by early December if using pre-cooled bulbs. The following are some thoughts on scheduling this year's crop.
In 2009 Easter falls on April 12, this is mid-date Easter that will allow plenty of time for forcing. This is good news since you can grow cool for most of the schedule and still bring the crop in on time.
The normal Easter lily schedule for pot-cooled bulbs takes a total of 23 weeks. This includes 3 weeks in the pot at 60-62°F to stimulate root development, 6-weeks of bulb cooling at 40-45°F and then 14-weeks of greenhouse forcing at 60-65°F or higher as needed.
If doing your own cooling, for case-cooled bulbs the process is still 23 weeks but this includes 6-weeks bulb cooling at 40-45°F and then 17-weeks of greenhouse forcing.
If buying pre-cooled bulbs, you will want to obtain your pre-cooled bulbs for delivery in early to mid-December and pot them up around December 14th.
Reprinted in part from the current postings on the New England Greenhouse Update and the Maryland Greenhouse TPM/IPM weekly report.
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