Growing water lollies
Growing water lollies
Question from Shoot User
873 2
I would like to grow water lillies in a half barrel or large tub. As I have never done this before can somebody tell me how to proceed. How do I keep water clear and how do I feed
Posted: Sunday 24th of June 2012 02:29 PM
Re: Growing water lollies
Kathy NHi, David,
You can grow them in a tub. Most important is to make sure you choose one that has a suitable mature size for the size container you have. You will probably want a dwarf cultivar - and even those can get up to 60cm across. You will need a large container that will hold the water and a small container to plant the lily in. Best to choose one designed specifically for water gardens. For planting (in the smaller pot) use a heavy soil that is suitable for use in the garden, not a potting compost that is light and will float. Avoid any perlite, vermiculite or peat in the mix. Add aquatic fertiliser pellets to the soil/compost according to manufacturer's recommendations. Plant the tuber against the side of the pot with the growing tip pointing up/toward the centre of the pot. Once planted, cover the soil with a layer of rock or pea gravel to keep the soil in place. Once planted, slowly submerge it in the larger container (it should already be full of water - if you use tap/hosepipe water, let it sit 24-48 hours first to rid it of chlorine). Initially - first few weeks or so- the tip of the lily should be submerged about 10cm or so - you can prop it on bricks for this stage. Then, the ideal depth is about 40-45cm. Waterlilies need at least 4 hours of sun each day so site the container in sun. As water evaporates, replace it with tap water - the chlorine will help control algae. It will take a tub about 60 days to 'balance' (natural control of algae, etc).
Kathy CReplied: Monday 25th of June 2012 09:20 PMRe: Growing water lillies
Shoot UserThanks for replying with the useful information Kathy it's much appreciatedReplied: Monday 2nd of July 2012 03:39 PMRe: Re: Growing water lillies
Shoot Userhi david, I have a half barrel with a pygmy water lily in it, It hasn't flowered yet (I put it in last year) but there are about half a dozen leaves floating, so fingers crossed. Apparently you need oxygenating plants in too, to help clear the water, Im looking for some at the minute (eBay's good), Good luck with the barrel. Im new to this forum so don't know if photos can be uploaded or not, if so, put some on when its all up and runningReplied: Monday 1st of July 2013 12:20 PM