Water Lily Hydroponic Growing Methods, Even Beginners Can Easily Learn

  Many friends are attracted by the lively and lovely appearance of water lilies. The water lilies commonly seen in daily life all grow in large ponds, and potted water lilies are rarely seen. In fact, growing potted water lilies together with other green plants at home will add a touch of vitality and spirit to the home!

  Tools: a container without drainage holes (a vat), water lily tubers (seeds), organic fertilizer, water, silt

  I. Seed propagation

  1: Pour the seeds into a water-filled container and place them in warm water at 25-30°C to germinate. Change the water every day; generally they will sprout in about 2 weeks.

  2: When the seedlings grow young roots, move them into a small pot for planting.

  3: After planting, place the small pot into a water vat, with the water just covering the young leaves by 1 cm. When the temperature rises to 17°C in April, they can be moved outdoors for cultivation. Repot as new leaves grow, and finally plant them in a slightly larger vat or pot.

  II. Rhizome (division) propagation

  1: Disinfect and wash the clay pot or water vat, and fill it with silt 3-4 cm thick. Leave 20-25 cm of space at the top for water.

  2: Cut the rhizomes with new shoots into small sections 6-8 cm long (each section should have at least two or more plump buds).

  3: Bury the cut rhizomes with the top buds facing up below the soil surface, cover lightly with soil, then add water 2-3 cm deep.

  4: After planting, place the pot (vat) in a well-ventilated spot with plenty of sunlight for care. Gradually increase the water level as the plant grows. In summer, a water depth of 25-35 cm is suitable.

  III. Precautions:

  1. In the early growth stage of potted water lilies, the base fertilizer should be sufficient, and there is no need for additional fertilizing. During the growth period, apply fertilizer 2-3 times as needed. Remember never to apply too much fertilizer, to prevent the soil and water from containing too much nitrogen and harming the water lilies.

  2. In summer, control the water depth well, keep the water clean, change the water in the early morning at the right time, and also promptly remove rotten leaves and fallen petals at ordinary times.

  3. You can put a few small goldfish in the pot for viewing, and at the same time you can also observe whether the oxygen content of the water is normal.

  4. For potted water lilies, it is best to choose medium- and small-sized varieties. You can consider varieties such as 'Helvola', 'Purple Jenny', and 'Xiafei'.

  Water lilies love sunlight very much, and it is enough to ensure a certain amount of ventilation. The distinctive water lily leaves and the delicate and beautiful water lily flowers float quietly on the water surface. Add a few small fish, and it will definitely be another scene full of vitality!

  Water lily tubers must be planted in the mud in water. Generally, pond mud is chosen, because river mud is sticky and can fix the water lily tubers well in the water, so that the tubers will not separate from the mud and float on the water surface because of loose soil. Moreover, this kind of mud is fertile and can provide the necessary nutrients for the growth of water lilies. If it is really a mini water lily, you can choose a container with a diameter and depth of about 20 cm for planting. The mud thickness should be about 15 cm, with about 5 cm of water kept above it.

  If you want to keep fish in it at the same time, this is a very good idea. Because in this way it can not only eliminate mosquito larvae breeding in the water, but also improve the ornamental value of this potted plant. However, a water depth of 5 cm is a bit shallow for fish, so you can find a deeper container. Also do not forget that there should be a certain distance between the water surface and the edge of the container, that is, the water cannot be filled to the edge of the container, and about 5 cm of space should be left. This is to prevent the fish from jumping out of the water, and more importantly, to allow more sufficient oxygen in the water for the fish to live.

  Now is not the time to plant water lilies. But you cannot leave the water lily tubers dry. You can put them in water, or plant them in the mud in the above-mentioned container, keeping water in the container, but protecting them from freezing.