How to grow potted water lilies and points to note

How to grow potted water lilies. Water lily, also known as midday flower and water celery flower, is a perennial aquatic flower of the genus Nymphaea in the family Nymphaeaceae. Its underground part has horizontal or upright block-like rhizomes, growing in mud. The leaves grow in clusters and float on the water surface, round or ovate, with wavy, entire or toothed edges, and slender petioles. The flowers are borne singly at the tip of slender flower stalks, and the petals are mostly white, pink, yellow, purplish red and light blue, etc. A single flower blooms for 3 to 4 days, mostly opening during the day and closing at night. The flowering period is in summer and autumn. Water lily flowers are large and beautiful, and fragrant, with both flowers and leaves being lovely, making it a very good aquatic ornamental plant. Common species include dwarf water lily, fragrant water lily, yellow water lily, European white water lily, etc. The cold-tolerant varieties are currently the most widely cultivated in China.

Water lilies are native to Asia, America and Europe. Although water lilies are fairly cold-tolerant, the overwintering temperature for their rhizomes must not be lower than 0°C. Although water lilies grow in water, they are light-loving plants, and growth and flowering are poor in places with insufficient light. They like high temperatures, humid air and a well-ventilated environment. They grow well in clayey soil rich in humus.

Now let's talk about the pot. For planting water lilies, a wide-mouthed pot is best, and the wider the pot mouth the better, because this helps them receive light. If the pot is relatively small, then you can plant directly in the pot. If it is a large vat-like pot, in this case it is best to use the method of a large pot holding a small pot: plant the water lily in a small pot, then fix it in place inside the large pot. The advantage of this is that the water stays clean, and it is easy to change the water and relatively simple to fertilize.

Then let's talk about the soil. Some flower lovers go to great lengths to dig up river mud, but ordinary garden soil is fine; it looks yellow when put in, and over time it will turn black on its own. The mud at the bottom should be at least 10 cm deep, and the water depth (the distance from the mud to the water surface) should be 10-15 cm; deeper is also fine.

Water lilies are fertilizer-loving plants and are very sensitive to a lack of fertilizer. When planting, it is best to give some base fertilizer. During management, if the new leaves of the water lily grow smaller and smaller, the flower buds stop growing, and finally rotting occurs, this indicates a lack of fertilizer. You can stuff blocks of sesame paste residue into the bottom of the flower pot where the water lily is planted as a top dressing.

Finally, let's talk about the growing environment. The most important thing is sufficient sunlight; only in this way can it bloom more, otherwise you will have only green leaves all year round. If grown on a balcony, it must face south and have nothing blocking above, otherwise there will be very few flowers. Also pay attention to keeping the air circulating to strengthen the assimilation of the water lily. I first used a ceramic vat, and got only 5-6 flowers a year; later I switched to the current large water surface, and now dozens of flowers a year are no problem, with the flowering period lasting a full two to three months.

If, after reading this, flower lovers feel that they still cannot master the potted water lily growing method after reading this article, then they can go to: Illustrated guide to planting water lily rhizomes

How to plant potted water lilies. How to grow potted water lilies

In the eyes of many people, the water lily is an aquatic plant with extremely high ornamental value. In fact, this plant can also be made into a potted plant and grown at home, and the growing method is not complicated. If you like this plant, you can take a look at my detailed introduction below to its potted growing method; after learning it, you can grow beautiful water lilies at home yourself.

1. Soil

When water lilies are grown as potted plants, the choice of soil is very important. They like fertile clay loam with high humus content, but if the soil is too clayey, it will also affect their growth, and if it is not clayey enough, it is not good for root development. So when growing water lilies normally, you should choose lake or pond mud, or you can use four parts garden soil mixed evenly with three parts loess and three parts sandy soil.

2. Light conditions

Sunlight is one of the important conditions when people grow potted water lilies. This plant has a strong light-absorbing nature, and it needs 7 to 8 hours of full sunlight every day. Only in this way can the number of its flower buds increase and its flowering period be relatively long. If it is grown in a shady environment, it will delay flowering or not bloom at all.

3. Temperature regulation

Temperature regulation is also very important when growing potted water lilies. This plant has relatively strict temperature requirements. Most of them begin to sprout when the outside temperature reaches about 8 to 10°C, and the lotus shoots only begin to elongate at 14°C, and only when the outside temperature reaches 25 to 30°C will the growth and development of the water lily proceed rapidly. So if you want to grow potted water lilies well, it is best to place them in a warm environment of 25 to 30°C.

4. Timely fertilization

Potted water lilies are fertilizer-loving plants, so during normal cultivation you must fertilize them in time. One month after planting, you can apply rotted cake fertilizer water or human waste, at a concentration of about 10%. After they are established, apply fertilizer 1 to 2 more times. After entering the flowering period, apply phosphorus fertilizer once every seven days, so that the water lily flowers can be large in size and bright in color.