Fishkeeping - wintering tropical lilies

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Greg Salata

August 25th 03 03:55 AM

wintering tropical lilies

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

Thanks

bmuller

August 27th 03 04:25 AM

wintering tropical lilies

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

August 27th 03 04:09 PM

wintering tropical lilies

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

August 28th 03 09:48 PM

wintering tropical lilies

"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	August 29th 03 04:25 AM

wintering tropical lilies

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: 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

August 29th 03 04:46 PM

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: 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	September 1st 03 10:40 PM

wintering tropical lilies

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: 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: 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! =-----

-----= 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	September 1st 03 10:40 PM

wintering tropical lilies

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