Does anyone know anything about lilies?

my boyfriend sent me lilies yesterday and they were still closed i put them in water and am caring for them but they have only opened up to about a 5cent peice. does anyone know why or how long they take to open up and what i can do to make them open. Any tips please

Does anyone know anything about lilies?
I was a floral designer a few years ago, before the kids got older and we moved.



Lilies have to open by themselves, and trust me they will. If they are Stargazers or Casa Blanka, they will smell wonderful. Stargazers are deep pink with white stripes, and Casa are pure white but the most expensive you can buy from a florist.



Lilies have to be cut the same as roses, which is on an angle, under running water. When people get flowers from the food stores and from a florist, they never realize that they should re-cut them before placing into a vase. The only time this rule changes, is if it is an arrangement. In a florist shop, we use a sharp knife to cut them, as this is the only proper way. However, we also learn how not to cut ourselves, especially after a few severe cuts! Therefore I recommend not using cutting shears for gardening as these introduce germs and infection into your fresh beautiful flowers. I recommend a sharp pair of sissors, cuting under running warm water. the vase should be cleaned out first with dish liquid and rinsed well. The place luke warm water to about one third the way up. Place an asprin nto the water to melt. this is much better than bleach, which for some reason, everyone seems to suggest. Then begin cutting the stems, one by one, and place them into the prepared vase. Remove all leaves that will be below the water level. When done cutting, add water to leave the last 1/3 of the top without water.



Every day check the water level, and add as needed. Every two days, dump the vase and start again to prolong the flowers. However, to make this easier, you can take them out and place them into a cup large enough not to tip over, while you clean and re-cut the stems. This way you are sure to have them last more than a week, and no mold, slimmy stems, or soft stems.



With Lilies, be careful of the Stamins when the lilies open. These are the "stick" looking things with fuzzy color (usually yellow or orange) on the outermost ends of the sticks. these STAIN the face when smelled, and all clothing when it gets onto the material. They have also be known to stain certain counter tops. The Stamins can be cut off over a garbage pail if desired, and in a florist shop we usually remove them for these reasons before the customer gets them.



Happy viewing and smelling!
Reply:Give them some time they will open. There are different kind of liltes Day liltes, and Peace lilies. etc. Just keep them watered and out of alot of sun. good luck Pem
Reply:Did you have any powdered flower juice with the bouquet? Usually a great flower enhancer is added to the water - if you didn't get it and just put the flowers in your own water, follow these instructions:



fill your sink with tepid water

place lilies in water

clip 1/2 inch of stem while in water

fill vase with tepid/warm water and add sugar is you don't have floral booster food - add a teaspoon of sugar for a normal sized vase

fill vase with water and place freshly cut lilies in the vase

allow lilies to get some sunlight (indirect is fine)

When lilies start to open, clip the pollen stamens - they stain everything so be careful - clipping the stamens will make the lillies last for almost 2 weeks - the pollen takes all of the energy from the flower if not clipped



ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!



VOTE ME YOUR FAVORITE!!!!!!
Reply:not really, you just have to be patient and they will go ahead and open up, Lilies are really hardy and should open up and be really pretty for a long time. I would put a bout a quarter of a teaspoon of bleach in the water to make sure they don't rot the stems with bacteria in the water. but that is all.
Reply:lilies is a wonderful plant. the bulb must be 5 cm under the soil and it takes 60-90 days to give flower
Reply:I went out with a Lily in high school. Stuck up.