Planting Aquatic Plants
Water Lilies
Water Lilies should be planted 12" to 24" deep. Dwarf varieties do best planted 6"to 18" deep in small ponds.
When you receive water lilies from us the first thing you need to do is re-hydrate the tuber (Rhizome). You can do this by soaking the tuber in a bucket of water while you get your pots and or pond ready to receive the lily. It is important to do this immediately upon receiving the package from us. Flower May-Sept.
- The tuber will have a main growing tip called the crown, this is the point at which all new growth sprouts from. It is important to take care and not damage this part.
- When planting, place the tuber in soil at a 45-degree angle so the crown is just above the soil line and the base of the tube is completely under the soil.
- When using a pot to plant with try to select one that has a wide brim and basin. The wider the better. Plant the tuber with the non growing end touching the side of the pot, this will ensure the crown is in the center of the pot with room to grow and push forward.
- When the tuber is in the soil push a fertilizer tablet in the soil on both sides of the tuber, make sure it is not touching the tuber. Try to find a soil that is a heavy or part clay mixture. Avoid soil with vermiculite or perlite – You may use soil less mixtures but be sure to weight them down with pebbles, gravel etc.
- Tamp the soil around the tuber firmly to ensure it does not float and then submerge the pot. Submerge pot very slowly. Add gravel to the top of the pot in order to keep soil more contained.
- For ponds with soil on the bottom simply plug in the tuber with the crown just above the soil line and repeat the steps listed above.
Bog Plants
Shallow water plants should be planted 0” to 6" deep.
When you receive your bog plants the first thing to do is re-hydrate the plants by soaking them in a bucket of water in the shade. Typically when we ship the plants they are in a dark box and are sensitive upon arrival.
- After you soak the plants for an hour or so you may plant the bog plant.
- Try to use a heavy or clay mixed type of soil. You may use soil less mixtures but be sure to weight them down with pebbles, gravel etc. Proceed by simply burying the root mass under the soil deep enough to keep the plant upright when standing alone.
- If you are using a pot, tamp the soil firmly around the top of the container to secure the plant.
- Push a fertilizer tablet into the soil on each side of the plant making sure not to touch the plant itself.
- If possible keep plants in partial shade until shock wears off then move to full sun.
- Typically most bog plants suffer from a good amount of shock when transplanted and will recover to good health when put back in to a pond. Do not get discouraged if your plant yellows or appears to be dying. Just let it alone so it may recover. Some bog plants have a ritual of shedding all their foliage before sprouting new leaves.
- On occasion I have pruned the dead material off to ensure energy is going to the new shoots and not the already dying stalks. If you do prune, it is a good idea to prune the stalks so they are just above the water level, this will ensure the plant is getting air.
Lotus
Lotus must be shipped while still dormant, Feb. early May.
Dwarf 1'-3', Semi Dwarf 3'-4', Full Size 4'-6'. Flowers July to Sept.
- It is important the Lotus be given plenty of room in a good size hole-less shallow pot 23" – 30” in diameter.
- Plant with 4"-12" of water over the crown of the plant.
- Initially plant to a depth of 4” and drop incrementally to lower as the plants begin to stand to the final depth of 12”.
- Fertilizer should be added only after the new plant has stand up leaves. Then feed monthly for the first year.
- It should winter fine to zone 3 without dropping it down and we advise against it.
We hope this information has been helpful.
Best Regards,
Pondarama.com
(717) 532 - 7212
BJ@PONDARAMA.com
