wintering tropical lilies

[Greg Salata]

I am considering a tropical water lily. Any suggestions on how to winter
them in the midwest?

Thanks

[bmuller]

It is attached to the house, and during sunny days doesn't need to be heated
at all. In fact, it adds lots of heat to the house. But, on cloudy days, I
let it get down to about 55-60 degrees. The air just above the water is
almost as warm as the water, however. I grow mainly orchid cactus which
likes cool winters. That is why I insulate the sides and bottom of the horse
trough. I do have quite an evaporation problem, but frequent filling solves
the problem. Twice a winter I drain the trough and refill it to keep mineral
buildup down. Also helps humidify the house! :-)

"dkat" > wrote in message
...
> How warm do you have to keep your greenhouse?
>
> "bmuller" > wrote in message
> s.com...
> >
> > "Greg Salata" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I am considering a tropical water lily. Any suggestions on how to
winter
> > > them in the midwest?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > I live in Michigan. I have a horse trough in my greenhouse. (about 6 ft
> > long, 2 ft wide, and 18 inches high) I use a couple of fish tank
heaters
> > to keep the horse trough water at 75 degrees (I wrap bubblewrap around
the
> > trough for insulation) and immerse the tubs with the lillies in the
> trough.
> > They form new leaves and seem to thrive, but do not bloom, probably
> because
> > they don't get enough light and warmth. The main danger is a tendency to
> put
> > them out too early in spring. If the pond water is cooler than 75 when
> they
> > go out in spring, they will be severely set back.
> >
> > I have done this for about 15 years, and rarely lose a plant.
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[D Kat]

This sounds wonderful (especially since you are able to do it in Michigan -
Long Island should be a cake? walk)... I don't suppose you could post a
picture someplace to get an idea of how to make the hot house? DK

"bmuller" > wrote in message
s.com...
> It is attached to the house, and during sunny days doesn't need to be
heated
> at all. In fact, it adds lots of heat to the house. But, on cloudy days, I
> let it get down to about 55-60 degrees. The air just above the water is
> almost as warm as the water, however. I grow mainly orchid cactus which
> likes cool winters. That is why I insulate the sides and bottom of the
horse
> trough. I do have quite an evaporation problem, but frequent filling
solves
> the problem. Twice a winter I drain the trough and refill it to keep
mineral
> buildup down. Also helps humidify the house! :-)
>
> "dkat" > wrote in message
> ...
> > How warm do you have to keep your greenhouse?
> >
> > "bmuller" > wrote in message
> > s.com...
> > >
> > > "Greg Salata" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > I am considering a tropical water lily. Any suggestions on how to
> winter
> > > > them in the midwest?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > I live in Michigan. I have a horse trough in my greenhouse. (about 6
ft
> > > long, 2 ft wide, and 18 inches high) I use a couple of fish tank
> heaters
> > > to keep the horse trough water at 75 degrees (I wrap bubblewrap around
> the
> > > trough for insulation) and immerse the tubs with the lillies in the
> > trough.
> > > They form new leaves and seem to thrive, but do not bloom, probably
> > because
> > > they don't get enough light and warmth. The main danger is a tendency
to
> > put
> > > them out too early in spring. If the pond water is cooler than 75 when
> > they
> > > go out in spring, they will be severely set back.
> > >
> > > I have done this for about 15 years, and rarely lose a plant.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[bmuller]

"dkat" > wrote in message
...
> That is one serious room.... (now I have cactus flower envy....)... Not
> something I could even think of doing myself (I like my cute little shed I
> built but I have no delusions of being able to go beyond that scale)...
> Shall I be REALLY foolish and spend my sons' tuition money on an
addition?!
> Anyone want to vote in?

Don't! I don't want to be responsible for your son not having tuition
money! :-)

Seriously, when we built the thing 20 years ago, Michigan had a program to
encourage solar greenhouses. So this room met all the requirements, and we
got tax breaks, etc, etc, in addition to the floral benefits. You might
inquire if your state presently has such a program, and do a small scale
thing.

[mad]

of course! if they want a college education make 'em work for it! they'll
appreciate it more. :-D
mad
--
Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket?

> From: "dkat" >
> Organization: Optimum Online
> Newsgroups: rec.ponds
> Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003 19:42:57 GMT
> Subject: Re: wintering tropical lilies
>
> Shall I be REALLY foolish and spend my sons' tuition money on an addition?!
> Anyone want to vote in?
>
> DK



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[Nedra]

Ohhhhh, mad! I adore this sig ... you sure have some
winners ...

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"mad" > wrote in message
...
> of course! if they want a college education make 'em work for it! they'll
> appreciate it more. :-D
> mad
> --
> Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket?
>
> > From: "dkat" >
> > Organization: Optimum Online
> > Newsgroups: rec.ponds
> > Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003 19:42:57 GMT
> > Subject: Re: wintering tropical lilies
> >
> > Shall I be REALLY foolish and spend my sons' tuition money on an
addition?!
> > Anyone want to vote in?
> >
> > DK
>
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

[mad]

thanks, nedra. LOL
mad
--
Of all the things I've ever lost I miss my mind the most.

> From: "Nedra" >
> Organization: EarthLink Inc. -- http://www.EarthLink.net
> Newsgroups: rec.ponds
> Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 15:46:29 GMT
> Subject: Re: wintering tropical lilies
>
> Ohhhhh, mad! I adore this sig ... you sure have some
> winners ...
>
> Nedra
> http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
> http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118
>
> "mad" > wrote in message
> ...
>> of course! if they want a college education make 'em work for it! they'll
>> appreciate it more. :-D
>> mad
>> --
>> Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket?
>>
>>> From: "dkat" >
>>> Organization: Optimum Online
>>> Newsgroups: rec.ponds
>>> Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003 19:42:57 GMT
>>> Subject: Re: wintering tropical lilies
>>>
>>> Shall I be REALLY foolish and spend my sons' tuition money on an
> addition?!
>>> Anyone want to vote in?
>>>
>>> DK
>>
>>
>>
>> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
>> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
>> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
>
>



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[mad]

thanks, nedra. LOL
mad
--
Of all the things I've ever lost I miss my mind the most.

> From: "Nedra" >
> Organization: EarthLink Inc. -- http://www.EarthLink.net
> Newsgroups: rec.ponds
> Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2003 15:46:29 GMT
> Subject: Re: wintering tropical lilies
>
> Ohhhhh, mad! I adore this sig ... you sure have some
> winners ...
>
> Nedra
> http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
> http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118
>
> "mad" > wrote in message
> ...
>> of course! if they want a college education make 'em work for it! they'll
>> appreciate it more. :-D
>> mad
>> --
>> Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket?
>>
>>> From: "dkat" >
>>> Organization: Optimum Online
>>> Newsgroups: rec.ponds
>>> Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003 19:42:57 GMT
>>> Subject: Re: wintering tropical lilies
>>>
>>> Shall I be REALLY foolish and spend my sons' tuition money on an
> addition?!
>>> Anyone want to vote in?
>>>
>>> DK
>>
>>
>>
>> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
>> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
>> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----
>
>



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