Dwarf water lilies
Does anyone know what size bowl would be good for a dwarf water lily? #AquaticPlants #FloweringPlants #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #waterlily
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Best Answer
Hi! Dwarf water lily as in, Nymphaea pygmaea 'Helvola', N.mexicana, Nymphaea stellata [aquarium dwarf lily] or Nymphoides sp. [water snowflake/banana lily]?
Nymphoides can do well in any conditions.
Nymphaea stellata [syn. N.nouchali] and N.mexiacan are tropical species. If you're in temperate regions i'd avoid these two unless you have experience.
Nymphaea pygmaea 'Helvola' is the most common [in Europe and America anyways]. It's a hardy lily.
As for the question, the smaller Nymphaea sp. can tolerate a bowl of 40-50cm [15.75-19.69in.]. But you must restrict their roots by using a 10-15cm plastic nursery pot [3.94-5.91in.], the standard ones with drainage holes, but unglazed terracotta works too.
Use specialist pond or water lily mud, although most other clay-based product works too [make sure it's aquarium/plant safe!]. Position in the bowl such that it's 20cm [19.69in.] under the surface, but if the water is clear it doesn't matter. Make sure to get a good dechlorinator [like Seachem Prime, available at most pet/aquarium stores] as some tap water may contain high amounts of heavy metals, chlorine and chloramines that may harm your lily. Rain water works too. If you want, you can apply a layer or gravel on the mud, but make sure the crown of the lily is exposed.
In terms of long term maintenance, you should flush the water every other day by overflowing the bowl with rainwater. Trim old leaves weekly. Every month or two, bury some pond fert tabs near the crown of the lily.
Pests: usually the most common 'pest' is snails or algae. Both are easy to combat. For algae [usually when the lily is young] add some floating plants, but slower growing ones so they don't crowd out the lily. Water lettuce is good. As for snails, most often they only attack dying or sick leaves. If there are too many for your liking, plop a freshly sliced cucumber or zucchini. Once the slice is covered with snails, remove and voila!
Another issue is mosquitoes. DO NOT use fish. Instead, go to a garden store, and get something called BTI. Bacillus thuringiensis serotype isrealensis. It's a bacteria that attacks mosquito, fungus gnat and black fly larvae. It's better than chlorine.
Nymphoides can do well in any conditions.
Nymphaea stellata [syn. N.nouchali] and N.mexiacan are tropical species. If you're in temperate regions i'd avoid these two unless you have experience.
Nymphaea pygmaea 'Helvola' is the most common [in Europe and America anyways]. It's a hardy lily.
As for the question, the smaller Nymphaea sp. can tolerate a bowl of 40-50cm [15.75-19.69in.]. But you must restrict their roots by using a 10-15cm plastic nursery pot [3.94-5.91in.], the standard ones with drainage holes, but unglazed terracotta works too.
Use specialist pond or water lily mud, although most other clay-based product works too [make sure it's aquarium/plant safe!]. Position in the bowl such that it's 20cm [19.69in.] under the surface, but if the water is clear it doesn't matter. Make sure to get a good dechlorinator [like Seachem Prime, available at most pet/aquarium stores] as some tap water may contain high amounts of heavy metals, chlorine and chloramines that may harm your lily. Rain water works too. If you want, you can apply a layer or gravel on the mud, but make sure the crown of the lily is exposed.
In terms of long term maintenance, you should flush the water every other day by overflowing the bowl with rainwater. Trim old leaves weekly. Every month or two, bury some pond fert tabs near the crown of the lily.
Pests: usually the most common 'pest' is snails or algae. Both are easy to combat. For algae [usually when the lily is young] add some floating plants, but slower growing ones so they don't crowd out the lily. Water lettuce is good. As for snails, most often they only attack dying or sick leaves. If there are too many for your liking, plop a freshly sliced cucumber or zucchini. Once the slice is covered with snails, remove and voila!
Another issue is mosquitoes. DO NOT use fish. Instead, go to a garden store, and get something called BTI. Bacillus thuringiensis serotype isrealensis. It's a bacteria that attacks mosquito, fungus gnat and black fly larvae. It's better than chlorine.
Side note: all water lilies should be in a location with at least 4hrs of direct sun and out of frost. Even the hardy species.