I'm new with 'TROPICAL' water lilies, need help/info

15 years ago

Hi All, Some of you may be reading this twice, I accidently posted in a wrong forum. I've recently moved into a home with 2 ponds (in the Miami area) and I'm interested in adding some "tropical" water lilies to one. This pond is approximately 16 feet or so by about 8 feet wide with some 4 foot deep areas and an outer ledge for placing pots in more shallow water. A few basic questions: How important is using clay in the soil and if necessary, what type of clay and where can it be purchased? What type of pots are used and how do you know which sizes to use? I'm new to this so if you have any other useful information it would be appreciated. I've read up on how to keep the fish from eating too much. Thanks for any info!! Joss

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Comments (6)

garyfla_gw
15 years ago
Hi
Tropical lilies range from tiny little things with two inch pads all the way to 8 foot Victorias lol Obviously the size of the lily would dictate what size pot. Do you have some specific varieties in mind?? They are highly adaptable but the larger the pot the larger the pads and flowers. For a medium spread "Blue Goddess" I use a 20 inch square plastic pot. This will last about two years and is about as much weight as you want to pick up. lol Any material will work but obviously plastic are much lighter,cheaper, than Terra Cotta. The pot can't be seen anyway.
Almost any media will work but the all around best.IMO is a clay material called "OIl dri" sold as an absorbant, in the automotive dept. of Walmart. It is far superior to regular
Cat litter clays. These are inert so you can add ferts such as Fruit tree spikes when good growth starts. Another good choice is "Turface" clay but hard to find.
Depending on what type of fish a one inch layer of gravel at the top of the pot.with stones larger than the mouth of your fish will keep them from digging.lol
You can grow any type of lily in zone 10 but IMO the tropicals are better . They handle the heat. in full sun.
You might check out the site "Victoria adventure " for a look at many varieties. Welcome to the wonderful worl of ponding lol gary
pikecoe
15 years ago
Does anyone know if the Thorns on the Victoria Lilies would hurt the fish? I would be afraid they might be harmful especially to their eyes. Glenda
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garyfla_gw
15 years ago
Hi
I tried growing the Vic afew years ago . The thorns are everywhere on the bottom surfaces and fairly stiff. I kept only tropical fish with them and had no problem with them The main problem was size, they quickly outgrew my pool lol. gary
nkm56
15 years ago
I prefer tropicals to hardies, because for me at least, they bloom longer and more consistently. I have had blossoms almost every day all summer.

I just use plain old garden soil held down with a layer of sand and a layer of pebbles on top of the sand. I fertilize with aquatic plant tabs, but some people use Miracle Grow spikes.

I also prefer the black planting pots with no drainage holes, because the black "disappears" on the bottom. Some people use cheap dish pans or mixing bowls from the dollar store. Anything large enough without holes will work.
joss-1
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all your help I appreciate it. Gary, if you happen to stop back in this post, do you mix that clay material with soil?
Does the entire tuber go under the soil but the very tip?
Joss
garyfla_gw
15 years ago
Hi
You can mix it if you want but the straight clay will remain stable for longer periods and does not contribute to the algae problem. The type sold as Oil Dri is far more stable than those sold as cat litter IME.
Bury the tuber just deep enough to keep it stable Of course if you have fish particularly Koi. don't forget the layer of rocks.
I use this stuff straight except for submerged aquarium type plants and for adapted terrestrial tropicals. Then I use boiled peat straight or mixed depending on the plant.
The main thing you'll notice about lilies is they GROW
lol So don't overplant and try to pick a type that fits into your pool.. Good luck !! gary

I'm new with 'TROPICAL' water lilies, need help/info

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