AKANE SUKASEM FIRMANSYAH W.H.

Normally,

most lily bulbs are very easy to grow and take very little care. Lilies form an important group of flowering garden plants and are important culturally and in literature in much of the world. A few species are sometimes grown or harvested for the edible bulbs. Some of the cultivars is very expensive flower

Most species are native to the temperate northern hemisphere, though their range extends into the northern subtropics

Where to plant is more important than when to plant. Things like drainage, soil texture, air circulation, light, water, food, soil and plant ph all influence the health of your plants. Gardeners who strive to understand the requirements of each particular plant they are growing eliminate those factors which affect the plants in a negative way and increase positive actions for healthier plants.

Virus Fungi Bacteria Abiotic

Viral diseases affect all parts of the plant, the bulbs, roots, stem, leaves and flowers. So any bulblets or stem bulbils from an infected plant will also be infected. Only the seeds are not affected, so if you have a clump of infected lilies by pollinating the same plants with themselves a virus free stock can be achieved.

These three most common viruses found in lilies are often transmitted by aphids that have bitten into the infected plant and ingest the virus. When they have landed on a non infected plant, they pass the virus to it after biting into it. They are:
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Lily Symptomless Virus or LVS (the most common) Tulip Breaking Virus or TBV Cucumber Mosaic Virus or CMV

This is the most common lily virus and is found in many species and hybrids. It can occur with virtually no outward visible symptoms except possibly some stunting in the growth. It does however weaken the plant leaving it more susceptible to other viruses and diseases.

For allot of gardeners who like to grow a variety of bulbs for spring colour Tulips are quite often the a popular choice. Rembrandt or painted tulips get their characteristic streaking colour pattern from the Tulip Breaking Virus hence its name. This virus can be easily transmitted from these tulips to your lilies, so for this reason tulips with broken colours should not be grown close to your lilies. It causes mottling of the foliage, lessening of the colours of darker flowers and sometimes the breaking of the colour.

 This

virus can cause very streaky foliage colour and distorted, brittle leaves and flowers. The leaves may become pale and the plant stunted. This virus is also spread by aphids so regular weeding to cut down on potential sources is very important.

Viruses are extremely (if not impossible) to control with commercial spray treatments. However, there are a few steps you can take to help prevent further infections: 1.) Dig out and destroy the entire plant preferably by burning. 2.) Disinfect your tools immediately, soaking in 100% bleach. 3.) The most important method of controlling viruses is to have good gardening practices and observe your lilies regularly. Be aware that some nutrient deficiencies can cause streaking (resembling a virus infection) in leaves and flowers. The continuing hybridization of viral resistant cultivars will also greatly help to control future problems. Check with whomever you are purchasing from for susceptibility of any lily cultivar. 4.) Aphid control

 The

two most common and recognizable diseases that cause the most problems in lilies are Basal Rot and Botrytis blight. Basal Rot is more destructive to the entire plant because it attacks not only the stem but the bulb also. Botrytis attacks the leaves, stem, and flowers as it weakens the entire plant over time and can kill the lily.

 Basal

rot on lily bulbs is caused by two different fungi, they are : - Fusarium oxysporum va lilii - Cylindrocarpon. is the most serious and can exist in the soil for years without a host.

Fusarium

 It

is easily recognized by a dark brown rot that extends into the bulb scales from the basal plate. premature yellowing of foliage, stunting and premature drying of the stalk.

The pathogen enters the plant from the roots, moves into the basal plate, and then into the scales. It reproduces by spores which can be carried in the soil by decaying wood or previously infected plant tissue, garden or agricultural tools, packing material, bulbs, and even potting soil.

 Some

final thoughts on basal rot: Once this disease infects a plant, it cannot be corrected or controlled and is useless to try and save it. ALL of the infected plant must be removed and destroyed. However, there are some preventative sprays that can be applied before it becomes infected. Increase pH with lime Avoid the using of N fertilizer

Botrytis is caused by two species of fungi, they are : - B.elliptica - B.cinerea which attack the above ground plant parts. B.elliptica is the more destructive of the two and both fungi can be found on the same plant at the same time. B.cinerea attacks the leaves, open flowers, and seed pods in cool summer weather and late fall. The warm, moist coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest or western coast regions of Britain are often called "Botrytis Climates". Dry, cooler climates are rarely affected.

The fungus will over winter on the leaves of the previous year and produce spores in the summer months that are spread by wind or splashing water.

The first sign of Botrytis are white spots on the leaves then becoming teardrop shaped on the upper surface. They are lighter in color on the margins and darker in the center. As the attack continues, the leaf collapses and decays and the fungus produces more spores on the decaying leaf.

Botrytis only attacks the surface of the plant and will spread to other surfaces or neighboring plants as more spores develop. Moisture is essential to the spread of this fungi, therefore careful watering practices should be followed. It is better to use soaker hoses or drip line method rather than over the head or top sprinkler type watering. Good air circulation is also important for this disease as well as others in order to dry the leaves as soon as possible after watering or rain occurs. Try not get the leaves or the flowers wet. Look for infected leaves and remove them asap while they are still wet. This will stop or prohibit the spread of the fungi. Warm, dry sunny weather aids in controlling the fungi. There are commercial fungicides that can prevent and control this disease.

Root rot is abiotic disease associated with poor drainage. If a bulb or any other plant is placed where there is little or no drainage for water, then it continuously sits in water and the roots along with the bulb eventually rots. Lack of good soil aeration, planting in thick heavy fine textured soils like clay, is detrimental to lily bulbs. To prevent this from occurring, plant in light airy soils that drain water quickly so the roots and bulb do not sit in water for long periods of time. Roots need oxygen and being in water provides little or no oxygen.

 Bacterial

soft rot is a common disease on Calla lilies (field and greenhouse) that causes serious loss. Bacterial soft rot is caused by Erwinia carotovora.

Affected plants appear stunted and leaves turn yellow. The soft rot progresses throughout the tuber and plant eventually collapses and dies. The infected corm becomes soft, brown and watery. Sometimes infection starts at the edge of the petiole, which turns slimy. Leaves rot off at the base, flowers turn brown, stalks fall over. The disease spreads rapidly under warm, moist conditions.

This bacterium can survive in nonsusceptible host plants and for several years in the soil. As environmental conditions become favorable for bacterial growth, the bacteria multiply and cause disease. Spread of bacterial diseases is most often the result of human activity-pruning and propagation procedures, movement of soil and plant debris by machinery or on feet, overhead irrigation, and the application of insecticides and fungicides under pressure.

Discard all rotted corms. Plant in well-drained soils. Avoid harvesting flowers when foliage is wet. Avoid wounding plants during the growing season and during the harvest of corms for winter storage. Keep all production areas clean. Good cultural practices include proper fertilization, plant spacing to maximize air circulation, and avoiding overhead irrigation. The addition of calcium in the media and avoiding excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer may help reduce the severity of soft rot caused by E. carotovora. Corms may be dipped in copper fungicides such as Champ, Kocide, Tenn-Cop 5E, Basicop. Maneb (Manzate 75 DF) mixed with copper is more effective than copper alone. ManKocide is a combination product containing copper and mancozeb.