How to Grow Potted Water Lilies? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods
Water lily is also known as noon lotus, dwarf water lily, pygmy water lily, etc. It is a perennial aquatic herbaceous plant of the genus Nymphaea in the family Nymphaeaceae, with oval leaves floating on the water surface and large, beautiful flowers floating on or rising above the water surface, usually blooming by day and closing at night. It is now cultivated as an ornamental plant in the water bodies of many parks. Let's take a look below at how to grow potted water lilies!
Growth Habits of Water Lilies
Water lilies like sunlight and good ventilation, and have no strict requirements for soil quality. They can grow normally at a pH value of 6 to 8. The most suitable water depth is 25 to 30 cm, and the deepest must not exceed 80 cm. They prefer loam rich in organic matter. They sprout and grow leaves from March to April, bloom successively from May to August, with each flower blooming for 2 to 5 days, and set seed after flowering. The stems and leaves wither from October to November, and they sprout again the following spring. In the Yangtze River basin, they sprout from late March to early April, form buds in late April or early May, reach full bloom from June to August, enter the yellow-leaf stage from October to November, and enter dormancy after November.
Propagation Methods of Water Lilies
1. Division: Water lilies are mainly propagated by division. Cold-hardy species are usually divided from March to April before sprouting in early spring, while non-cold-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 rhizomes, select rhizomes with plump new buds, cut them into root segments 8 to 10 cm long, with each segment carrying at least 1 bud, and then plant them. For small-scale pot cultivation, water lilies that have been planted for 2 to 5 years can be taken out of the pot, cut into 2 to 4 pieces, and then replanted in the pot.
2. Sowing: Water lilies are generally sown from March to April. Use fertile clay loam for the potting soil. Do not fill the pot too full; leave 5 to 6 cm from the pot rim. After sowing the seeds, cover with 1 cm of soil, press firmly, and immerse in water with the water surface 3 to 4 cm 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 suitable sowing temperature is 25 to 30°C. They germinate after about half a month and can bloom the following year.
How to Grow Potted Water Lilies?
1. Soil: Water lilies require fertile clay loam rich in humus. Soil that is too heavy affects the extension of the lotus runners and the swelling of the lotus, while loose soil is prone to wind damage and hinders root development; neither is conducive to the growth of water lilies. The soil used is usually lake or pond mud, or a mixture of 4 parts garden soil, 3 parts loess and 3 parts sandy soil, mixed evenly. The best soil pH is 6.5 to 7.5.
2. Light: Water lilies like strong light. Receiving 7 to 8 hours of light each day can produce more flower buds and continuous blooming. Avoid cultivating them in shade, and even for indoor viewing when in flower, they must not be kept indoors for more than a day. Household potted water lilies must be placed on a balcony or in a courtyard, and moved to a cool place at noon to avoid the scorching sun.
3. Temperature: Water lilies have very strict temperature requirements. They generally begin to sprout at 8 to 10°C, the lotus runners begin to extend at 14°C, and 25 to 30°C is the most suitable temperature for the growth and development of water lilies. Weather with alternating rain and sunshine is especially favorable for plant growth.
4. Fertilizing: When potting water lilies, apply sufficient base fertilizer according to the size of the pot. One month after planting, apply a liquid fertilizer mainly of decomposed soybean cake water or human and animal manure once, at a concentration of 10%. After the standing leaves emerge, apply topdressing 1 to 2 more times, and during the flowering period apply superphosphate once every 7 days.
5. Water: Summer temperatures are high and water lilies easily lose water, so at this time add water to potted water lilies 1 to 2 times a day, keeping it roughly consistent with the water temperature in the pot, and keep the water clean. If the water is found to be turbid, change it. In late autumn and early winter, water lilies enter dormancy and do not need frequent watering; just keep shallow water in the tub or pot.
Precautions for Water Lilies
1. Clay soil rich in humus is especially suitable for the growth of water lilies, so river and pond silt can be used when choosing soil.
2. Water lilies are mostly cultivated by division. The quality of the seed stems is the key link determining the success or failure of the final 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 planting depth should be based on the new buds on the stems being level with the soil surface.
4. The growing environment for water lilies must have sufficient sunlight, be warm and humid, and well ventilated. This is especially true for potted water lilies, where the light must be sufficient.