Day and night blooming- tropical
water lilies should be planted in pots at least 10" in diameter (a smaller
container will result in a smaller plant). A 10 to 14 inch fabric pot (or 10
x 6 to 12 x 7.3/4 inch plastic pot) should suffice for each lily. Fill the
pot 1/2 full
with a loam garden soil and add 2-4 fertilizer tablets, then continue to
fill the pot to about 2 inches from the top. The tuber should be set upright
with the roots buried gently in the soil. Make sure the tip of the tuber is
not buried. Next, add an inch or two of pea gravel or sand in order to
prevent the soil from escaping from the container. Remember to keep the
gravel away from the crown of the tuber. The plant can now be lowered into
the water to a depth of approximately 6 inches over the crown of the water
lily. As the plant grows, it can be lowered to a depth of 12 inches.
tropical water lilies cannot tolerate cold temperatures and should not be
planted until the water temperature reaches at least 70 degrees. The water
lilies are well adapted to their habitat. They grow and live on the edge of
ponds and lakes, in the shallow water. The climate of their habitat is
usually hot. They grow in areas where there are few plants and because of
this, they don't have competition for sunlight. This is very important
because sunlight is the main way that water lilies are able to receive food
and energy. The water lilies leaves are usually large and are able to store
a lot of energy. Water lilies usually live in water that is rich in oxygen
and receives a lot of sunlight
Daytime bloomers, they blossom in the morning and close after sunset,
lasting three or four days before sinking beneath the surface. The flowers
appear from spring to fall, blooming in all colors except blues and purples.
Hardy water lilies go dormant in winter and may be left in the water or
stored. Tropical water lilies, which bloom in more exotic colors, take a
little more care but are well worth the effort. Their flowers are larger and
more prolific. Night-blooming varieties have vibrant, almost electric
colors. In October or
November, hardy water lilies can be lowered to the deepest part of a pool.
Plants can also be moved to a root cellar or garage where winter
temperatures fall to near 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hardy water lilies benefit from a long, cold, winter rest period, but don't
let the rhizomes freeze or dry out. Growth resumes in April.
Most tropical water lily species are found in Africa, and, thus, need a
different winter treatment than the hardy water lilies.
In October, prior to our first frost, remove plants from their large
planting containers. Most leaves and roots can be trimmed and the plant
repotted in a one gallon pot. After repotting, move the plant inside to an
aquarium tank or some other container. Be sure to provide plenty of light
and keep the temperature above 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some tropical water lilies
produce acorn-size tubers at the base of the crowns in late summer or fall.
These tubers can be removed and stored in water at 55 to 60 degrees
Fahrenheit for the winter. They sprout in the spring when placed in 70 to 75
degree Fahrenheit water in the greenhouse. Initially, they should be planted
in three-inch pots, and moved to five-inch pots later.
Lilies have only a few enemies. Aphids attack the scapes on lilies in
early spring, and can cause them to not bloom, Orthene systemic in January
will take care of them. You will not be able to see these critters ! Once
your flower starts blooming, you probably will see thrips which are tiny
flea-like bugs running on your flowers. If you get these, I again recommend
Orthene systemic. You can spray it all over the flower and new buds without
damaging them. Diazinon may also be used on daylilies with no harm to the
flowers for bug control. If you prefer the organic approach, you can spray
with an insecticidal soap such as Safer's or use a neem oil spray such as
Ortho Rose Defense |
