Description

Waterlilies are grown for their rounded, floating leaves and brilliant colour variant blooms at flowering time from October to April. Depending on whether they are ‘Tropical’ or ‘Southern Hardy’, Waterlilies will grow in a wide range of climatic zones from the tropical north of Australia right down to Bass Strait and Tasmania. They are easily grown in garden ponds, pots and containers. Even though tropical varieties are frost tender and require a very warm, sunny situation, they can be grown in cooler areas if lifted and stored in moist sand over winter.

Cultivation

Choose a location where the plants will receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight, but a full day of direct sun is even better. Plant anytime over the winter months, however the best time for re-potting is in September when growth starts or even up to the end of January. Rhizomes can be planted directly into a pond or water feature, however for convenience and containing plant growth it is suggested to plant them into pots and lowered into the water feature.

Waterlilies should be re-potted every 2-3 years using 20-30cm squat pots. Trim the rhizome to 1 or 2 growing points and trim the roots. Alternately place a layer of compost in the bottom of the pot; then a layer of good quality, heavy garden soil with some clay content; place the rhizome; cover with another layer of topsoil making sure to keep the crown of the lily above the soil surface. Top up the pot with 2cm of coarse sand or pea gravel which stops the dirt getting into the water and finally dress it all off with some heavy decorative pebbles. Give the pot a good watering to settle the mixture and add a waterlily fertilizer tablet that is specifically formulated to prevent algal growth. Lower the pot into a pond or water feature where they will be covered with 15-45cm of still water over the growing crown. They will not survive in moving water. The pH of the soil and water should be in the range of 6.5 - 8.0ph. Fertilize with one pond tablet per pot every 6 weeks during the growing season. DO NOT fertilize while dormant during winter. Adding a few goldfish to the pond will help reduce mosquito larvae and other small pests.