What are the ways water lilies spread their seeds?

The water lily is a very beautiful ornamental plant, regarded since ancient times as the embodiment of purity and beauty, and often used as an offering to goddesses. So by what means does this plant, the water lily, spread its seeds and reproduce?

1. Ways water lilies spread their seeds

In nature, water lilies rely on water to spread their seeds. The ripe fruit drops from the plant, and as time passes the flesh rots away, exposing the seeds; then, as the water level shifts, the seeds drift to other places and float up, thus achieving dispersal.

There are 40-50 species of Nymphaea worldwide, mainly divided into 2 major categories, hardy and non-hardy. Hardy water lilies are mainly distributed in subtropical and temperate regions, while non-hardy water lilies are mainly distributed in tropical regions. The world's better-known water lily varieties include the Egyptian white water lily, the Mexican yellow water lily, and the Indian red water lily. Water lilies are also widely distributed in our country, from Yunnan in the south to the northeast in the north, and Xinjiang in the west, and are cultivated in every province and region.

2. Artificial propagation methods for water lilies

Water lilies have gorgeous, colorful flowers and a charmingly graceful form, and are praised by people as the “goddess of the water”. Water lilies can be planted in patches in ponds or grown in pots indoors. Their artificial propagation methods are mainly division and sowing.

When carrying out division propagation, hardy species are usually divided in March-April, before they sprout in early spring, while non-hardy species have high requirements for air and water temperature, so division can only be carried out around mid-May. When dividing, first dig out the rhizome, select a rhizome with plump new buds, cut it into root segments 8-10cm long, each segment bearing at least 1 bud, and then plant them.

Water lilies can also be propagated by sowing, that is, after the flowers open they turn into the water; before the fruit ripens, wrap the flower in a gauze bag so that when the fruit splits the seeds fall into the bag. After the seeds are harvested, they must still be stored in water; if stored dry they will lose their ability to germinate. Sow in March-April, using fertile clay loam as the potting soil; after sowing the seeds, cover with 1cm of soil, press firm and immerse in water, with the water surface 3-4cm above the potting soil, cover the potting soil with glass, and place in a sunny, warm spot to raise the temperature inside the pot. The sowing temperature should preferably be 25-30°C; they germinate after about half a month, and can bloom the following year.

The above is the relevant knowledge about water lily propagation. Friends who keep water lilies at home can also propagate them themselves, letting the floral fragrance fill the room.