Growth Potential of the Easter Lily Bulb

Abstract Removing 33% or 100% of the Easter lily ( Lilium longiflorum Thunb. ‘Nellie White’) mother scales when flower buds were 1.3 cm in length, in conjunction with flower bud removal at the 3-cm stage, increased daughter bulb dry weight by 21% and 45%, respectively, when plants were harvested after 13 weeks. Size of the remaining mother scales in partially de-scaled plants was estimated to be 30% larger than their counterparts in intact bulbs. Growth of the Easter lily bulb is likely limited by source carbon supply.