Lily Love at St. Albert Botanic Park

The Club visited St. Albert Botanic Park this weekend -- just in time to catch the lilies in full bloom! 

Great company and beautiful flowers -- what a combination :)

Photos by Lori.

ARLS's 31st Annual Lily Show 2016

Posted on behalf of The Alberta Regional Lily Society

The Alberta Regional Lily Society (an affiliate of the North American Lily Society) presents its 31st  ANNUAL LILY SHOW 2016 at the GREENLAND GARDEN CENTRE (23106 Highway 16 East at Clover Bar Road - Sherwood Park)

PUBLIC SHOW HOURS
- Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, July 24, 2016 - 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Everyone Welcome.

For more information and updates:
www.arls-lilies.org
www.facebook.com/Albertaregionallilysociety

Scarlet Lily Beetle Sighted!

Alas!  The Scarlet Lily Beetle is back to strike again!

At the May meeting, Audrey bemoaned the pests' damage to her lovely martagon lilies and Erica had to sing a requiem for her oriental hybrid.  They found these beasties to be fast, flipping and falling on the backs so their dark bellies blended with the dirt.  

Here's a reminder of what they look like and what to do from our article last year Pest Alert: Scarlet Lily Beetle: 

The Scarlet Lily Beetle has reared its black head (on bright red body) in Edmonton.

At last night's meeting, Margaret brought this to our attention and shared a pamphlet on this voracious pest. 

It's here in Edmonton, but hasn't been listed on The City of Edmonton's Pest Management - Insect Identification & Advice site.  The City of Calgary, however, has identified it as a common insect pest that is high risk.

Photos from the City of Calgary's site show it at different stage of its life cycle:

Adult lily beetle on lily flower.

Lily beetle larvae on underside of leaf. 

Lily beetle eggs on underside of leaf.

Wikipedia indicates there are no natural predators or parasites for the Scarlet Lily Beetle in North America.  Until pesticides that are also safe for bees and other insects are developed, crushing the beetle (at all stages) or hand-picking and drowning the adults are perhaps the best choice for population control. 

Stay vigilante and may your lilies bloom bright!

For more information and links to other resources visit The City of Calgary's "red lily beetle" site, Lily Leaf Beetle Tracker, and Alberta Regional Lily Society.  

Easter Lily Rescue

Potted Easter Lilies have wilted and faded, and may have ended (pot and all) next to the garbage bin. It's a sad sight -- but you can come to its rescue!  


Photo by Wadester16

Easter Lilies are but Lilium longiflorum (a summer blooming lily originating from Japan) forced to flower in spring for Easter festivities.  The plant is sometimes ranked as only USDA zone 7*, but club member Deb confirmed last meeting they've been growing strong in her garden.  No need to dig out the bulbs to overwinter indoors: she mulches them heavily, has them in a sunny spot, and they return year after year!

So, what do you have to lose**?  The next time you have an Easter Lily past its prime or see one waiting for the binman: Rescue it! 

Here are some online resources to help you do just that:

• GardenGuides.com's Step-by-step instructions on transferring Easter Lilies from indoors to outdoors
• TheGardenHelper.com for care in the home and tips on growing outside in the garden

Do you have Easter Lilies in your garden? 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* But also listed as zone 4 on OnlinePlantGuide.com.
** Caution: Easter Lilies are poisonous to cats. 

Pest Alert: Scarlet Lily Beetle

The Scarlet Lily Beetle has reared its black head (on bright red body) in Edmonton.

At last night's meeting, Margaret brought this to our attention and shared a pamphlet on this voracious pest. 

It's here in Edmonton, but hasn't been listed on The City of Edmonton's Pest Management - Insect Identification & Advice site.  The City of Calgary, however, has identified it as a common insect pest that is high risk. 

Photos from the City of Calgary's site show it at different stage of its life cycle:

Adult lily beetle on lily flower.

Lily beetle larvae on underside of leaf.

Lily beetle eggs on underside of leaf.

Wikipedia indicates there are no natural predators or parasites for the Scarlet Lily Beetle in North America.  Until pesticides that are also safe for bees and other insects are developed, crushing the beetle (at all stages) or hand-picking and drowning the adults are perhaps the best choice for population control. 

Stay vigilante and may your lilies bloom bright!

For more information and links to other resources visit The City of Calgary's "red lily beetle" site, Lily Leaf Beetle Tracker and Alberta Regional Lily Society.