Nature’s Reminders

Lilies are the perfect flowers for Easter. Since the 1920s, when they were first introduced in the United States, they have become a symbol of Easter. For many, their strong fragrance and striking appearance are synonymous with the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord.

But did you know that lilies tend to grow too tall? That can be a problem. Their height from year to year is not consistent or predictable. And if they shoot too high they become difficult to maintain and arrange. Their compact bulb-root system and their large, heavy white blooms make them prone to fall over.

The remedy is simple. A chemical treatment is introduced while feeding the lily bulbs. During the growing process, the chemical keeps the lily’s stem from elongating. The intervention is necessary for height control. The amount of chemical used determines the flower’s height. More or less is used to get the desired effect. The perfect symbol of the resurrection, the bright white bloom that bursts forth from the dark, barren bulb, is unnatural. It’s chemically treated.

The chemical treatment of lilies and other plants is commonly known and accepted. Drive down a country road in the late spring past rows of sprouting corn and soybeans and read the signs that pop up. Many advertise pesticides and herbicides. Take walk through a farmers market in the summer; notice the perfect shape, color, and fragrance of the produce: all treated.

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