Bulbs to blooms: advancements in sustainable lilium farming

The commercial cultivation and marketing of cut flowers presents significant opportunities. The market for exotic cut flowers is expanding day to day. Lilium holds a significant position in cut flower industry and is recognized as one of the top ten major varieties in the global floriculture sector. Its cultivation in non-traditional areas needs to be explored to meet the increasing demand. Hence, different research work has been undertaken in different places in order to standardize the cultivation of Lilium in open conditions. However, its cultivation is now being done under protected structures for better quality and yield. Furthermore, the practice of protected cultivation makes it possible to grow Lilium in non-traditional areas. An effort has been made to compile the production techniques developed for the commercial production of Lilium, such as higher yielding cultivars, suitable propagation techniques, intercultural operations, insect-pest disease management and post-harvest technology. These techniques will be replicated in non-traditional areas after proper validation.