This looks like a question for the Cutting Garden where many people have discussed lilies as cutflowers. May I ask why you chose to pose the question on this forum? More specific input? Just curious. Also looking forward to reading the responses to your questions.

Erin

Erin,
Good point, I'll ask them as well. I just thought it made sense to ask the lily forum, because you all grow lilies and might know lilies better than anyone else! So, I wonder, do most lily gardeners NOT cut them, but leave them in the garden? Thanks. :0) Phyl

I rarely cut Lilies or any flowers in my own garden, except for VERY special friends. For other flowers, I would cut them when I have a really great number of blossoms. I prefer them in the garden since they last longer than in a vase. I guard all my flowers very jealously, anyhow. :-)

At the temple where I grow flowers for arrangements, if the Lilies are exceptionally large, I cut individual ones. If they are small, I cut the entire stem, but only as long as I would use them in an arrangement. I try to leave behind as much stem as I can for the bulbs.

I like both upward facing and outward. I even like turk caps, depending on the look of the arrangements.

The ourward facing Lilies are great with very large arrangements on the altar because you can spot them from far away. I use them for focal points.

I do love trumpet buds in long cascaded arrangements. The people at the temple don't seem to like upward facing Lilies or turk caps, because they never cut them for me when they have others to chose from.

Sorry, not a conclusive answer, isn't it? :-)

Lilies are the best for arrangements because of their size, variety, shape, form & fragrance on some. Beware of the fragrance, though. Some people cannot tolerate it. Last night I cut a bouquet for a neighbor. I included a stem of Lilium regale album. The single stem perfumed the entire living room in no time. :-)

I buy cheap close-out bulbs in late spring, something like $1.50 for 6 oriental bulbs as I recall. I dig a hole and put them in pointed up and that is the extent of their care. These are my cutting lilies and I don't care which way they point when they bloom. Yes, don't cut anymore than 1/3 of the stem, leaving 2/3.

The idea that cutting lilies face up comes from breeding programs that emphasize this direction for ease of shipping. Imagine trying to pack and ship many bundles of budded lilies whose buds face out-- many would most likely break off before they reached their destination.

Pitimpinai & Pardalinum,
Thanks for writing back. Very interesting stuff you both wrote. I would have never known about why people say lilies facing up are best....thanks again! My husband was adamant he wasn't interested in growing lilies..."only roses for me" he said. Then he took one look at the Lollipops that just bloomed, and Cathedral Windows and he has changed his mind!!! :0) Phyl