Why Do Oriental Lilies Fail To Open?

Ask the Expert: why don’t some oriental lilies open even after proper conditioning? colette

Reply:

A few things can keep the lilies from opening:

• Temperature – Oriental lilies prefer temperatures above 45degrees. If your oriental lilies won’t open place them in an area where the temperature is 45degrees or higher.  The warm air will encourage them to open.  Do not place them in direct sun or under an air vent.
• Ethylene Gas – Oriental lilies are extremely sensitive to ethylene gas.  Over exposure to ethylene gas can cause bloom failure.  Avoid exposure to fruits that give off ethylene gas like apples, bananas, pears etc. or other gas producers like cigarette smoke or exhaust fumes.
• Once Is Not Enough – Oriental lilies often need to be re-cut more than once to encourage the buds to open.  So if you are only re-cutting them when you prep them, this may be the reason they are not opening.  Re-cutting lilies every couple of days will encourage the buds to open.

Hopefully, the answer to your question is one of the suggestions above.  Good luck and keep me posted.