LILIES - RHS Lily Group
LILIES - RHS Lily Group
LILIES - RHS Lily Group
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Table 1: Albany Long-term Averages<br />
92<br />
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual<br />
Mean Max (ºC) 22.8 22.9 22.2 20.8 18.5 16.5 15.7 16.2 17.2 18.4 20.3 21.9 19.5<br />
Mean Min (ºC) 15.0 15.3 14.6 12.7 10.6 9.0 8.1 8.3 9.2 10.3 12.3 13.9 11.6<br />
Mean Rain (mm) 23.6 23.1 38.3 68.8 119.2 132.7 143.9 127.1 101.5 80.0 43.5 29.5 931.0<br />
Mean Rain (days) 7.7 7.5 10.9 14.0 18.3 20.2 21.5 21.1 18.4 16.5 12.3 9.4 177.6<br />
The Western Australia lily market<br />
Lilies in Western Australia are mostly all sold through a few wholesalers in Perth<br />
and from there onto florists, although there are sales through supermarket chains<br />
and an ever growing number of farmers markets selling direct to the public (we<br />
are involved in two that give a wonderful opportunity to engage with our local<br />
community).<br />
By world standards, Western Australia is a relatively small market. Estimates<br />
indicate the market takes around 4,000 bunches a week of asiatic and LA hybrid<br />
lilies, and a smaller number of oriental lilies (about 3,000 bunches) and longiflorums<br />
(perhaps less than 300 per week). The asiatic and LA hybrid lilies are usually put<br />
into mixed bunches by florists while the orientals and longiflorums are generally<br />
used for weddings or displays in restaurants, hotels, etc. The demand for asiatic<br />
and LA hybrid lilies increases when other bright flowers such as gerberas are out<br />
of season over winter, while oriental and longiflorums demand is higher during<br />
the wedding season; spring through to early autumn. Demand for all flowers<br />
increases for special occasions such as Mothers Day, Valentines Day and before<br />
Christmas.<br />
Lilies have a reasonable profit margin in Western Australia (much higher than<br />
those grown in the Eastern States) and are relatively easy to grow in season<br />
– especially asiatic and the LA hybrids lilies. The challenge is growing them all<br />
year, especially orientals in winter.<br />
Growing lilies in South Western Australia<br />
Perhaps one of the greatest issues we have had as we built up our own skills<br />
and re-established and developed effective business and horticultural processes<br />
has been finding relevant advice. Being the only commercial lily farm outside<br />
the Perth region, we have often felt like pioneers, finding out on many occasions