Steps for Planting Aquatic Plants
- Materials: clay-based top soil, aquatic pot (no holes), fertilizer.
- Put about 2 inches of soil in pot, add Ag Safe Fertilizer (1 tab per gallon of pot) then fill pot with soil.
- Hardy water lilies have long rhizomes which grow horizontally (across the pot). Put the butt of the rhizome against the pot with the growing tip facing center. Press the lily firmly into the pot being careful not to cover the crown; the crown (growing tip) should be just at the surface of the soil.
- A tropical lily’s roots grow vertically. Place the plant in the center of the pot. Pack soil firmly with fist, being sure to leave the crown exposed.
- Marginals or bog plants are planted in the same manner as common annuals and perennials. Be careful not to cover the crown.
- Lotus require a little more attention when potting. Lotus tubers grow horizontally. Follow the same instructions for preparing the pot, but use at least a four to five gallon container. With your hand, form a one to two-inch trench along one side of the pot and place the tuber in the trench. Be careful not to break the growing tip then cover the tuber with soil pressing firmly but gently, leaving the growing tip exposed.
- Cover the soil with about an inch of gravel then add water before you place the plant in the pond.
- Gently lower the pot into the pond. If the plant begins to float, don’t panic, simply push it back in the soil and add some more gravel.
Remember that lilies love fertilizer. To ensure growth and blooms, fertilize lilies at least once a month during the growing season.
Worried about losing your tropical lily this winter? Don’t just quit fertilizing about mid-September. This stresses the plant sending it to tuber. Once the lily is in it’s hard tuber state, it won’t freeze!
Tropicals and lotus also love fertilizer – you can fertilize every three weeks for optimum blooms.
