For ease of identification, the aquatic plants you'll be purchasing for your pond can be categorized as:
A. Lilies - Nymphaea (Hardy or Tropical)
B. Lotus - Nelumbo
C. Shallow Water Plants (including Iris)
D
. Lily-Like Aquatics
E. Oxygenators or Floaters.
For best results please refer to the following guidelines for the type of plant(s) you're working with.
All aquatic plants perform their best when grown in good garden soil. Use of a plastic container will contain the soil and sim-
plify the task of maintaining the plant and pond. A 1" layer of pea gravel should be placed on top of the soil to prevent fish
from disturbing the soil and plant.
All rooted water plants will require fertilizer occasionally. Generally, if plants begin to shrink in size during the growing sea-
son you can assume fertilizer is needed. We recommend the use of a fertilizer in tablet form. (If using a granular fertilizer,
wrap a small amount in a paper towel.) Push either type of fertilizer several inches below the soil surface. Be careful not to
over fertilize as this will promote algae growth. If fertilizer does not cause renewed plant vigor, the container may be too
small or sunshine too little. Generally, the larger the container the larger the plant will grow.
Helpful Hints:
1. Choose a cool, shaded area for potting. It is important not to let plant roots dry out
completely.
2. Use regular garden soil, not commercial potting soil mixes.
(Bagged mixes can ferment)
3. If there are large drain holes in the pots you are using, place a few sheets of
newspaper in the bottom before adding soil. (Except for Lotus, see below)
4. Add fertilizer to the soil per manufacturers instructions before placing plant in the pot.
Be careful that plant roots are not touching the fertilizer as this will burn the roots.
5. Planting Specifics
A. Lilies
Hardy Water Lilies
- Never cover the crown with soil.
- Place the cut end of the tuber closest to the pot edge.
- Plant in relatively still water. Strong water currents are often detrimental to
their development.
T
ropical Water lilies:
- Same as above, but center the plant in the container.
B. Lotus:
- Gently push the tuber approx. 1/2" to 1" into the soil depending on tuber size,
taking care not to cover the growing tips.
- Do not add fertilizer until several arial leaves have developed.
-
Diagram is for placement only.
- Gravel should be used sparingly if at all.
C. Shallow Water Plants should be planted as shown.
D
. Lily-Like
Aquatics should be planted as sho
wn.
E. Oxygenators should be planted in gravel or sand and placed under water.
F
. Floaters are not planted.
Planting Instructions
Gravel
Fertilizer
Garden Soil
Crown
Garden Soil
Fertilizer
Fertilizer
Garden
Soil
Gravel
Lilies
Shallow Water Plants and
Lily-Like Aquatics
Lotus
6.
Whenever possible, place newly potted plants at shallow depths and once established move them to deeper depths as
indicated in the chart on the next page. If your pond or garden doesn't have a shelf to allow this, newly potted plants can
be raised on bricks. * Depth = amount of water above the top of the container.
New Plant Depths* Established Plant Depths*
Water Lilies 8" to 12" 18" to 24"
Lotus 2" to 4" 6" to 12"
Shallow Water Plants 0" to 2" 0" to 6"
Lily-Like Aquatics 4" to 6" 8" to 10"
Oxygenators 8” to 10" 10" to 16"
Winter Care:
All Plants -
No fertilizer. Prune dead foliage above the water line.
A. Tropical Water Lilies -(See 5A)
In zones that do not allow outdoor wintering, treat as an annual or refer to the following. After the first frost the plant
should be removed from the pond and the foliage cut back. Separate the tubers from the soil and wash completely clean.
Treat with a mild fungicide and store the tubers in damp sand at a temperature between 50
0
and 55
0
f. In mid-February,
stored plants can be started in a 4" pot covered with 2" to 3" of water. For best results place in a sunny southern window.
Move outdoors when pond water temperatures are averaging 70
0
or higher.
B. Hardy Water Lilies and Lotus - (See 5A & 5B)
Place container so that crown of the plant is below the freeze line.
C. Hardy Shallow Water Plants -
Place container so that crown of the plant is at least 2" to 6" below the water’s surface. Do not lower to the pond
bottom.
D. Tropical Shallow Water Plants -
Treat as an annual or bring indoors as a house plant.
E. Lily-Like Aquatics -
Place container so that crown of the plant is 18" to 24" below the water’s surface.
F. Oxygenators -
Should be placed 18" to 24" belo
w the w
ater’
s surface.
G
Floaters -
T
reat as an annual.
NOTE: Depending on your climate zone, some of the Winter Care instructions above may vary. For example, in Zone 3
(W
y
oming) a tropical w
ater lily w
ould need to be taken indoors during the winter if y
ou w
anted to use it again the follo
wing
y
ear
. Ho
wever, in Zone 10 (south Florida) the same tropical lily could remain in the pond all year round.
2
Maryland Aquatic Nurseries, Inc.
www.marylandaquatic.com
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