How to grow Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock'? Detailed growing methods and tips

Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock', also known as Ziwulian, Shuiqinhua, purple water lily and so on, is an aquatic perennial herbaceous flower of the genus Nymphaea in the family Nymphaeaceae. This flower blooms for only seven days each year, with purple petals on the outside, some golden tendrils in the middle, and a ready-to-bloom flower center inside, which only opens at the moment before withering. Let us take a look at the growing methods for Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock' below!

Growth habits of Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock'

Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock' prefers sufficient light, good ventilation, fertile sandy soil, clean water quality and warm still water, and the suitable water depth is 25-30 cm. It is cold-tolerant, and where the soil at the roots does not freeze, it can overwinter in an outdoor pond. It sprouts and grows in spring each year, blooms in summer, and after flowering the fruit sinks into the water, then cracks open and releases seeds after ripening. The seeds first float on the water surface, then sink to the bottom, and in winter the aboveground stems and leaves wither.

Propagation methods for Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock'

Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock' is generally propagated by division. Around Qingming, dig up the rhizomes, cut them into segments about 10 cm long, each with 2-3 bud eyes, and plant them separately in pots. The potting soil should be rich in humus, and a long-acting base fertilizer should be applied. The covering depth of soil should be just enough to bury the rhizomes, and the water depth should be kept at 2-3 cm. When 2-4 leaves emerge, gradually add water as the petioles elongate. Then place the pot into a pond, and finally the water depth can be controlled at 20-30 cm, with sufficient light.

Growing methods for Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock'

1. Water: When planting Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock', irrigate with water about 25 cm deep in summer, and keep this depth regularly. In high-temperature seasons, pay attention to keeping the water in the pot clean. When the water in the pot becomes turbid, remove the dirt in time and replace it with fresh water.

2. Sunlight: Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock' likes sunlight and good ventilation, so the tropical and cold-tolerant water lilies that bloom during the day close their flowers at night and open again in the morning. In ponds with shade from trees on the bank, although they can bloom, their growth is weaker.

3. Temperature: Nymphaea 'Mrs. George C. Hitchcock' is cold-tolerant. Where the soil at the roots does not freeze, it can overwinter in an outdoor pond. Before frost, the pot can be moved into a cold room, keeping the pot surface moist and just not freezing. In warm regions, it can overwinter in the pond.

4. Fertilization: When fertilizing water lilies during the growing period, pay attention and never apply liquid fertilizer, as it not only pollutes the water body but also causes fertilizer damage. A small amount of dry cake fertilizer powder can be buried directly into the soil.