How to Get a Water Lily to Bloom
- 1). Wait until the water is warm to plant tropical water lilies. Cold water inhibits plant and bloom growth, and sometimes kills the plant. Hardy varieties can over-winter in a swimming pool.
- 2). Provide plenty of sunshine for water lilies. They need at least four to five hours of sun daily to produce flowers. Hardy varieties need more sun than tropical varieties.
- 3). Plant water lilies in a large container of fertile soil and place in deep water, allowing at least 1 foot of water above the crown, preferably deeper. Adjust the planting depth using bricks below the pots. Flowering is decreased if the container is too small. Allow one plant per barrel-size container.
- 4). Feed water lilies throughout the season with fertilizer spikes or pellets designed for aquatic use. Follow the label instructions.
- 5). Remove spent flowers just above the crown. Cut the flower pedicel with a sharp knife.
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