How does the selection process of the lilies take place?
Each year more than 100.000 seedlings of the Orientals, Asiatics and inter-specific hybrids flower. Merely a few of these are selected for further multiplication by tissue-culture.
The hybridisation of lilies is done by crossing new selections and lilies which have been selected for their general genetic characteristics. After harvesting the seedlings, the largest bulbs are planted outside or in the forcing greenhouses. This is the first step in the selection of lilies before they can be used for bulb production.
In the second or third year, the lily flowers are selected on colour and size of the flowers, vase-life, length, scent and the position of the flowers. The selection process also involves evaluating the sturdiness of the flowers, the forcing time as well as other qualitative characteristics of the new lily varieties.
Selection greenhouse