WE are getting to the end of the bulb planting season as far as spring flowering bulbs are concerned, but it is the beginning of lily planting time. Local garden centres are now displaying a wide range of top quality lily bulbs. While most of these are destined for traditional cultivation in beds and borders outside, increasingly enthusiastic amateur gardeners are looking at the possibility of growing them indoors.

Most lilies adapt well to being grown in pots in the home or conservatory, indeed Dutch hybridizers have for the past few years been deliberately breeding new varieties for this purpose. Lilies which are short growing and have sturdy stems and large blossoms.

The majority of these dwarf kinds are only available to commercial growers and therefore obtainable from the florist when in flower rather than as bulbs in the garden centre, although there are some like Mr Rudd and Mr Sam which have become freely available as dry bulbs.

There are several traditional pot lilies like the beautiful longiflorum and formosanum species, which many nurseries offer, along with oriental hybrids like Enchantment and Connecticut King, which are excellent dual purpose plants.

Growing lilies successfully in pots demands a protected, but cool environment. Adequate light should also be available to ensure neat short-jointed growth.

The unheated greenhouse, porch or sun lounge are ideal, providing that they are well-ventilated. Use a compost that is rich in organic matter, but free-draining.

As many lilies resent alkaline conditions, a compost based on a so-called Ericaceous mixture is desirable. Mix in a generous quantity of grit, up to about 20 per cent by volume and most lilies will flourish.

Most gardeners who are experienced lily growers prefer a soil-based compost. While it is true that they will grow satisfactorily, first class results will only be achieved with the incorporation of liberal quantities of peat or composted bark.

As many lilies are stem rooting, they should initially be planted fairly low down in the pot so that as the shoots develop, the pot can be gradually filled with compost. If the flower stems are going to require supports it is useful to get these in at the beginning.

Routine care is the same as for lilies growing in the open ground, except that aphids are likely to be more of a nuisance and considerable vigilance is necessary in their control. Watering must also be attended to very carefully as pot grown plants suffer badly if allowed to dry out.

Once the lilies are in bud, start to feed with a general liquid fertiliser. Do this every two weeks or so until the blossoms fade.

Some lilies produce vast quantities of pollen which stains their petals. When this is likely to be a problem do as the florist and snip off the pollen bearing anthers with a pair of scissors before they rupture.

When flowering is over continue to water the bulbs and switch your feed to one that is high in potash. A tomato fertiliser is ideal. Use this until the leaves start to discolour and fade.

Philip Swindells

Q My Bramley apples have dark brown spots on the fruit. Can you tell me what causes this and how to cure it?

A Bramley apples are very susceptible to bitter pit, a nutritional disorder usually related to calcium deficiency. This causes brown spotting of the fruits which are still edible. Dress the soil around the tree annually in the early spring with garden lime at two and a half ounces to the sq yard.

Q I want to kill my old lawn and start again. Is there a weedkiller I can use to kill off the old grass which does not pollute the soil for six months?

A Yes, use any weedkiller in which the active ingredient is glyphosate. This never leaves a residue in the soil. Avoid sodium chlorate. Nothing will grow on treated land for six months.

Q I want to re-pot my lemon tree. What compost should I use?

A A soil-based compost such as John Innes No3 Potting Compost, ideally with some charcoal added, that referred to as filter carbon and used for aquarium filters is ideal. Use a tablespoonful to about a four inch pot full of compost and pro rata.

WHAT'S NEW

Bordeaux is a purple sprouting broccoli which can be harvested during the summer.

Dancing Flame is a scarlet flowered antirrhinum with silver and green variegated foliage.

Marimba are very bolt-resistant onion sets with globe-shaped bulbs.