How to Grow Potted Water Lilies? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Water lilies have a fairly wide distribution range, and can be seen in places such as northeastern Yunnan. Whenever you see a water lily in a pond, you feel an urge to take it home. In fact, growing it as a potted plant is a very good method, so how should potted water lilies be grown, and what needs attention during the process? Let's take a look below.

How to Grow Potted Water Lilies

Water lilies can be planted in ponds, but are even more suitable for potted (tub) cultivation for ornamental viewing. When potting, choose a basin or water tub with an inner diameter of 40 cm and a depth of about 60 cm, and plant from late March to early April. When planting, first place river mud 3——4 cm thick at the bottom of the basin (tub), then add about half a jin of chopped hair, crushed bone residue, chicken and duck feathers, fish bones, plant ash and other fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium as a base fertilizer, and finally fill in fertile river mud up to 2/3 of the basin height, leaving 25 cm of water-filling space above.

Then bury the cut rhizomes (cut into 6——-8 cm segments, each with two buds) with the top buds facing upward below the soil surface, with the covering depth such that the top buds are level with the soil surface, 5——7 segments per basin. After planting, add shallow water 2——3 cm deep to help raise the water temperature. If the water is too deep at this time, it will affect sprouting. Later, gradually deepen the water level according to the plant's growth, and keep it in a well-ventilated, sunny place for care.

Potted Water Lily Cultivation Methods and Precautions

I. Potted Water Lily Cultivation Methods

1. Light: Water lilies like strong light. Receiving 7-8 hours of light each day can give them more buds and continuous blooming. Avoid cultivating them in shady places, and when viewing them indoors in flower, it should not exceed one day. Household potted water lilies must be placed on a balcony or in a courtyard, and at noon they should be moved to a shady place to avoid the scorching sun.

2. Temperature: Water lilies have strict temperature requirements. Generally they begin to sprout at 8-10°C, the lotus rhizome begins to elongate at 14°C, and 25-30°C is the most suitable temperature for the growth and development of water lilies. Especially in weather that alternates between rain and sunshine, plant growth is even more favorable.

3. Fertilizing: When potting water lilies, apply sufficient base fertilizer according to the size of the basin. One month after planting, apply once a liquid fertilizer mainly made of decomposed bean cake water or human manure and urine, at a concentration of 10%. After the standing leaves emerge, apply additional fertilizer 1-2 times, and during the flowering period apply superphosphate once every 7 days.

4. Water: Summer temperatures are high, and water lilies easily lose water, so at this time add water to potted water lilies 1-2 times daily, requiring it to be roughly consistent with the water temperature in the basin, and keep the water quality clean. If the water is found to be turbid, replace it. In late autumn and early winter, water lilies enter dormancy, so there is no need to add water frequently; just keep shallow water in the tub or basin.

II. Precautions for Potted Water Lilies

1. Humus-rich clay soil is especially suitable for water lily growth, so when choosing soil you can use river pond silt.

2. Water lilies are mostly cultivated by division. The quality of the seed stems is a key link in the final success or failure of cultivation, so it is best to select a section of underground rhizome in good growing condition.

3. If the seed stems of water lilies are buried too deep in the mud, it is not conducive to growth. The cultivation depth should be based on the new buds on the stems being level with the soil surface.

4. The cultivation environment for water lilies must have ample sunlight, warmth and humidity, and good ventilation. Especially for potted water lilies, the light must be sufficient.

Propagation Methods for Water Lilies

1. Division: Water lilies mainly propagate by division. Cold-hardy species are usually divided in early spring before sprouting, from March to April. Non-cold-hardy species have high requirements for air and water temperature, so division can only be carried out around mid-May.

2. Sowing: Water lilies are generally sown from March to April. Use fertile clay loam for the potting soil. Do not fill the container too full. Cover the potting soil with glass and place it in a sunny, warm place to raise the temperature inside the pot.

Common Pests of Water Lilies

1. Aphids: During the growth and development period of water lilies, if there is insufficient light and poor ventilation, they not only grow weakly but are also prone to aphid damage. Control method: spray with a 1200-fold aqueous solution of dichlorvos, or kill them with tobacco leaf water.

2. Water borers: Water borers, also known as cotton water borers, harm water lily leaves as larvae, biting the leaves into two pieces of the same size, then spinning silk to overlap the leaf pieces together to make a protective sheath in which they live. Control method: promptly catch the larvae floating on the water surface with a net, or spray with a 1000-fold solution of 50% fenitrothion.

Water lilies have fairly strong reproductive capacity and generally use division, which is relatively simple and greatly increases their survival rate, allowing people to see large expanses of water lilies. However, everyone should be reminded to do a good job in preventing and controlling water lily pests and diseases, otherwise it will affect their growth, and then the beautiful water lilies will no longer be seen.