What are the cultivation methods and varieties of Victoria amazonica?

Victoria amazonica is a plant of the genus Victoria in the water lily family (Nymphaeaceae), a large tropical ornamental plant famous worldwide for its enormous leaves and gorgeous flowers. So, what varieties of Victoria amazonica are there? How do you plant Victoria amazonica? Let's find out together.

1. What varieties of Victoria amazonica are there?

1. Victoria amazonica

Victoria amazonica has an upright rhizome with well-developed adventitious roots. The primary leaves are needle-shaped, the 2nd-3rd leaves are spear-shaped, the 4th-5th leaves are halberd-shaped, the 6th-10th leaves are elliptical to round, and after the 11th leaf the leaf margins turn upward to form a disc shape. The leaf surface is green with a slight reddish tinge. It is native to the tropical waters of South America, growing naturally in river bends and lakeside waters.

2. Victoria cruziana

The morphology of Victoria cruziana is basically the same as that of Victoria amazonica, except that the leaves remain green throughout the entire growth period, the leaf diameter is larger than that of Victoria amazonica, the leaf margins turn upward, and the upright rim is nearly 1 times higher than that of Victoria amazonica, while the flower color is also paler than that of Victoria amazonica. Its main producing areas are Paraguay and Argentina.

3. Longwood Victoria

The Longwood Victoria is a hybrid of Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana, with the largest leaves. It was bred by the Longwood Botanical Garden in the United States in 1961 through hybridization, combining the characteristics of both parents. The flower sepals are sparsely covered with hard spines. The leaves generally reach more than 2 m, the leaf margin height is between the two parents, the leaves are slightly reddish, and the veins are purplish red.

2. How do you plant Victoria amazonica?

1. Raising seedlings

After the germinated primary seedlings have grown for half a month, once they have 2 leaves and 3—5 roots, seedling raising can begin. Transplant the ones that germinated first. Generally use a small pot with a diameter of about 15 cm, filled with relatively fine mud and a small amount of sandy soil, one plant per pot to avoid competing for nutrients with each other. The planting depth should be such that the seed shell is slightly a few centimeters above the soil surface, so that the leaves float on the water surface. The planting process should not take too long; the seedlings will die if kept out of water for 5 hours.

2. Planting out

When the water temperature of the outdoor pond is above 18 degrees, transplanting and planting out can be carried out. Victoria amazonica is a sun-loving aquatic flowering plant, so the pond should be chosen in a sunny, wind-sheltered location, ensuring the Victoria pond has sufficient light, raising the water temperature and increasing the survival rate. There are usually two ways to transplant: one is to transplant directly into the pond, where generally one whole Victoria plant occupies about 30 sq m of pond; the other is indirect transplanting, first planting the seedlings into a vat, then placing the vat into the pond.

3. Management

The life cycle of Victoria amazonica goes through a vegetative growth period and a flowering and fruiting period. The vegetative growth period includes the seedling stage and the rapid growth stage. These two periods are important stages of Victoria growth and must be managed carefully and cautiously. At the same time as planting out, film covering should be prepared. At first the seedlings are not very adaptable in the open field and are relatively fragile; the temperature difference between day and night is large, and on cloudy and rainy days the leaves may rot, so the film should be opened on sunny days and covered on cloudy and rainy days and at night, and can only be removed in June.

4. Topdressing

After planting out, until the end of the seedling stage, apply topdressing about once every 10 days, mainly compound fertilizer. By the rapid growth stage, the average daily increase in leaf diameter is 20 cm, with an average of one new leaf every 3—4 days; at this time fertilizer should be applied once every 5 days. After flowering, because the weather is hot and the plant grows vigorously, when fertilizing you can use a small perforated film bag containing about 20 g of quick-acting phosphate fertilizer and bury it not far from the roots to promote rhizome development.

5. Water level

The depth of water added is an important factor affecting the growth of Victoria amazonica. Victoria amazonica is a shallow-water aquatic plant; the water level generally does not exceed 0.4 m above the top of the plant stem, and the range of water level variation should also be controlled within 0.3 m. During the seedling stage after transplanting, the water level should be adjusted according to the growth condition of the seedlings.

The above is some little knowledge about how to plant Victoria amazonica. Do you understand it all now?