The Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) is a popular holiday plant that needs little special treatment. Well-tended plants should bloom successively for several weeks in the house if you follow these tips.
* Keep the lily moist, but be careful not to overwater. Check moisture daily and be sure the pot never stands in water. Root rots can be easily brought on by overwatering.
* Place in a bright location, but avoid full sun.
* Keep in a cool place and avoid drafts. * When a new flower opens, carefully remove the yellow anthers. This will prevent pollen from smudging the petals.
* Cut off flowers as soon as they have collapsed. When all blossoms have faded, reduce watering so that the plant will gradually dry down. Cut off the stem a few inches above the soil after the top dries. In May after danger of frost is past, plant the bulb in a sunny location outdoors at a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
Often the bulb will produce a few flowers again in late summer or early fall, but may not flower again until late spring or early summer of the following year.
