If you love or just heard about water gardening, then you would have about water lilies. It is a type of pon foliage which can enhance the beauty of your water garden. Because of their vibrant colours, many gardeners consider their ponds as a canvas to grow these beautiful plants.
Perfecting art takes time and so does growing water lilies. With a little bit of help and some tips, you can perfect this art in no time.
Why do you need water lilies in your pond?
Yes, water lilies are famous for enhancing the beauty of the pond. But there is more. You see, they offer a better habitat for aquatic life in the pond. They promote good bacteria and even give shade for the animals. So, these plants are both ornamental and functional to your pond.
Things to consider when growing water lilies
The following are some things that need your consideration to grow gorgeous pond foliage.
- Water
For normal gardening, you will have to follow a specific watering routine. But not for water gardening. Just get the basics right and you are good to go. First, make sure that the leaves of the water lilies are above the surface of the water. Otherwise, the flowers can get ruined. Don’t add any chemicals into the water because they can kill the aquatic life in the pond. Also, oxygenate the water using aerators, fountains, or waterfalls.
- Soil
A normal potting soil has too much organic matter which ruins the water lilies. That’s why you need to go for a soil that is specifically designed for aquatic landscapes. This can hold more nutrients than the regular type and that is why this is a better choice.
Soil specific for aquatic landscapes is non-toxic and fine-grained, without any peat moss or compost. In addition to this, you need to add loam and gravel to the soil to prevent the water from getting soiled. This prevents the soil from floating around in the container.
- Fertilizer
The growth of the water lilies is dependent on the type of fertilizer you use. This is dependent on your preference. You can either go for treatment tablets or annual fertilizer. This should get placed near the roots of the aquatic plants and not directly into the water. Otherwise, it can change the pH of the water which affects both aquatic animals and the water lilies.
You can be generous with the fertilizer but don’t overdo it. Using more fertilizers can promote the growth of algae, affecting the quality of the habitat.
- Temperature
The temperature plays a vital role in growing water lilies. The temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit is good for hardy water lilies. But for tropical type, have 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The right temperature provides the right environment for the water lilies to bloom.
- Position
Generally, the pond foliage needs full exposure to the sun. At least a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight is necessary for the proper growth of water lilies. This is the reason why water lilies grow and bloom beautifully during the summer.
- Container
To put simply, there should be room for growth. If the container is big, then there will enough space for optimal growth. The general measurements for the container are 18 inches wide with 10 inches depth. This allows the roots to spread out freely.
Conclusion
With a few simple steps, you can get the best water lilies in your water garden.
