Caring for Water Lilies

[Daniel Phillips]

Some simple questions about water lilies, please, in regards to my
container water garden that still has living fish in it after three
months:

1) I hadn't topped the water in the container for awhile, since
thunderstorms are expected all throughout this week. At what point in
a water lily flowering can I top the water off if I need to? Already,
one has surfaced and is currently closed.

2) What is the right way to cut the lily pads when they start
yellowing and begin to sink to the bottom? I think to reach down and
snip them by the base stem, but I'm not sure.

3) One pad is above the water surface a good ways. I can't maneuver
it to be on the water again. Is this a big deal?

P.S. My email is full, so any mail sent there will bounce back.
Sorry.

Daniel Phillips

[+]bandito[-]spam = [-]toppler.[+]zworg.com
Be warned, may mistakingly bounce back as spam.

[Go Fig]

In article >, Daniel
Phillips > wrote:

> Some simple questions about water lilies, please, in regards to my
> container water garden that still has living fish in it after three
> months:
>
> 1) I hadn't topped the water in the container for awhile, since
> thunderstorms are expected all throughout this week. At what point in
> a water lily flowering can I top the water off if I need to? Already,
> one has surfaced and is currently closed.

At any point, the speed at which they adjust is incredible. How many
inches are you talking about ?

What type of lily do you have ?
>
> 2) What is the right way to cut the lily pads when they start
> yellowing and begin to sink to the bottom? I think to reach down and
> snip them by the base stem, but I'm not sure.

Just snip it as close to the crown as possible, some species you can
just pinch it w/ your thumb and finger, others need a scissors.
>
> 3) One pad is above the water surface a good ways. I can't maneuver
> it to be on the water again. Is this a big deal?

Some species are far better suited for containers, generally
'tropicals' are too big for containers.

jay
Sun Jun 13, 2004



>
> P.S. My email is full, so any mail sent there will bounce back.
> Sorry.
>
> Daniel Phillips
>
> [+]bandito[-]spam = [-]toppler.[+]zworg.com
> Be warned, may mistakingly bounce back as spam.

[Daniel Phillips]

On Sun, 13 Jun 2004 11:23:03 -0700, Go Fig > wrote:

>In article >, Daniel
>Phillips > wrote:
>
>> Some simple questions about water lilies, please, in regards to my
>> container water garden that still has living fish in it after three
>> months:
>>
>> 1) I hadn't topped the water in the container for awhile, since
>> thunderstorms are expected all throughout this week. At what point in
>> a water lily flowering can I top the water off if I need to? Already,
>> one has surfaced and is currently closed.
>
>At any point, the speed at which they adjust is incredible. How many
>inches are you talking about ?
>
Yes, I saw it for myself when the water level rose above its normal
height. Water lilies are amazing. I take it, then, ideally even when
the flower has bloomed, it adjusts to the water level?

The usual water level is 14 inches (measured outside of the
barrel/liner combo), give or take an inch or so. Right now, it's two
inches down. One of the pads is indeed two inches above the water,
and the particular bulb (for lack of the proper word) I'm talking
about is more than halfway above the water at its current water level.

>What type of lily do you have ?
>
A miniature variety. Not sure which.

>> 2) What is the right way to cut the lily pads when they start
>> yellowing and begin to sink to the bottom? I think to reach down and
>> snip them by the base stem, but I'm not sure.
>
>Just snip it as close to the crown as possible, some species you can
>just pinch it w/ your thumb and finger, others need a scissors.
>
I looked "crown" up. That'll be on the surface of the soil/gravel,
right? I'd reach down and snip off the particular stem as low as I can
go?

Thanks for your help.

Daniel Phillips

[+]bandito[-]spam = [-]toppler.[+]zworg.com
Be warned, may mistakingly bounce back as spam.

[Go Fig]

In article >, Daniel
Phillips > wrote:

> On Sun, 13 Jun 2004 11:23:03 -0700, Go Fig > wrote:
>
> >In article >, Daniel
> >Phillips > wrote:
> >
> >> Some simple questions about water lilies, please, in regards to my
> >> container water garden that still has living fish in it after three
> >> months:
> >>
> >> 1) I hadn't topped the water in the container for awhile, since
> >> thunderstorms are expected all throughout this week. At what point in
> >> a water lily flowering can I top the water off if I need to? Already,
> >> one has surfaced and is currently closed.
> >
> >At any point, the speed at which they adjust is incredible. How many
> >inches are you talking about ?
> >
> Yes, I saw it for myself when the water level rose above its normal
> height. Water lilies are amazing. I take it, then, ideally even when
> the flower has bloomed, it adjusts to the water level?

Depends, but with good conditions you should have lots of blooms. Most
blooms are only around for about 3-4 days, they don't adjust as quick
as the pads. Fertilize (1)/month.

>
> The usual water level is 14 inches (measured outside of the
> barrel/liner combo), give or take an inch or so.


How much water is above the top of the crown ? But again, don't worry
too much about it... sounds OK.

> Right now, it's two
> inches down. One of the pads is indeed two inches above the water,
> and the particular bulb (for lack of the proper word) I'm talking
> about is more than halfway above the water at its current water level.
>
> >What type of lily do you have ?
> >
> A miniature variety. Not sure which.

'Mexicana' is a great container lily, has a nice yellow flower.

>
> >> 2) What is the right way to cut the lily pads when they start
> >> yellowing and begin to sink to the bottom? I think to reach down and
> >> snip them by the base stem, but I'm not sure.
> >
> >Just snip it as close to the crown as possible, some species you can
> >just pinch it w/ your thumb and finger, others need a scissors.
> >
> I looked "crown" up. That'll be on the surface of the soil/gravel,
> right? I'd reach down and snip off the particular stem as low as I can
> go?

Yup, its good housekeeping, as what you don't get will rot away. Also
depending on the species its important that you don't let the flowers
go to seed, as that may cut down on future blooms.

jay
Sun Jun 13, 2004



>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Daniel Phillips
>
> [+]bandito[-]spam = [-]toppler.[+]zworg.com
> Be warned, may mistakingly bounce back as spam.

[Gareee©]

> Yup, its good housekeeping, as what you don't get will rot away. Also
> depending on the species its important that you don't let the flowers
> go to seed, as that may cut down on future blooms.

But wouldn't that also propagate more of them then?

We just got two of the walmart lillies a few weeks ago, and am now learning
that as well....they do appear to both be growing very quickly...lots of
sun, and of course, water.. ;)



--
Gareee©
Homepage:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/ellison/86/mainframe.htm
Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more!

[Daniel Phillips]

>
>
>How much water is above the top of the crown ? But again, don't worry
>too much about it... sounds OK.
>
Seven inches from the crown.

Daniel Phillips

[+]bandito[-]spam = [-]toppler.[+]zworg.com
Be warned, may mistakingly bounce back as spam.