How to Plant Water Lily Seeds? Latest Planting Method Explained in Detail
Water lily is a perennial aquatic herb of the genus Nymphaea in the family Nymphaeaceae. To collect seeds, wrap the flower in a gauze bag before the fruit matures, so that the seeds fall into the bag after the fruit splits. After harvesting, the seeds must still be stored in water; if stored dry, they will lose their germination ability. After sowing, they germinate in about half a month, and can bloom the following year. Now let us take a look at how to plant water lily seeds!
Seed Treatment
The outer shell of water lily seeds is hard and dense, so the seeds must be manually nicked before soaking. One end of the lotus seed has a small pointed tip, and the other end has a small concave dot. Rub the end with the small concave dot on rough cement ground until it breaks, or clip a small opening with pliers. Be careful not to crush the seed embryo, and do not remove the shell. Be especially careful with your hands so you do not injure yourself.
Soaking Seeds to Promote Germination
A summer water temperature of 20-30°C is very suitable for water lily seed germination. Depending on the number of seeds, use a bowl or basin filled with water, just enough to soak the seeds. Place it indoors and change the water twice a day; germination can occur within 1 week. After sprouting, place it in a sunny spot, strengthen the light, and do not let it lack water. After 2 weeks, fine roots and 2-3 tender small lotus leaves grow. Once the leaves are coin-shaped and the root system has formed, they can be transplanted separately.
Transplanting the Sprouted Seedlings
Choose a bottomless ceramic pot or plastic flower pot with a diameter of 18-30 cm. Add half a pot of garden soil or river-pond mud free of chemical pollution, and add water to soak it two weeks in advance; do not fertilize. When transplanting, press the fine roots of the small lotus seedling into the mud, one plant per pot. After transplanting, add an appropriate amount of water, just so the water does not submerge the small lotus leaves.
Planting Management
1. Soil: Water lilies require fertile clay loam rich in humus. Soil that is too heavy and sticky affects the elongation of the lotus rhizome and the swelling of the lotus root, while loose soil is prone to wind damage and hinders root development; neither is good for water lily growth. The soil used is usually lake or pond mud, but you can also mix 4 parts garden soil, 3 parts loess soil, and 3 parts sandy soil. The best soil pH is 6.5-7.5.
2. Light: Water lilies like strong light. Receiving 7-8 hours of light per day can give them more flower buds and continuous blooming. Avoid cultivating them in shady places, and even for indoor viewing when in flower, it should not exceed the same day. Household potted water lilies must be placed on a balcony or in a courtyard, and at noon they should be moved to a cool place to avoid the scorching sun.
3. 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 water lily growth and development, especially in weather with alternating rain and sunshine, which is even more favorable for plant growth.
4. Fertilizing: When potting water lilies, apply enough base fertilizer according to the size of the pot and the plant. One full month after planting, apply a liquid fertilizer mainly made of decomposed soybean cake water or human waste once, 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.
5. Water: In summer, the temperature is high and water lilies easily lose water, so at this time add water to potted water lilies 1-2 times a day, and make sure it is roughly consistent with the water temperature in the pot. Keep the water clean, and if the water is found to be turbid, change 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 pot.