Aquaria Information from

WATER GARDEN PLANTS

   We recommend that all water garden plants be in pots This aids maintenance by making the containers retrievable, thus making plant care easier. All of the plants require at least 5 hours of direct sunlight each day for maximum growth. 

TROPICAL WATER LILIES: Day and night blooming- tropical water lilies should be planted in pots at least 12 inches in diameter. A 3 to 5 gallon size should suffice for each lily. Fill the pot half full with rich garden soil and add 2 to 4 fertilizer tablets. Then continue to fill the pot with soil to about 2 inches from the top. The rhizome should be set upright with the roots buried gently in the soil. Make sure the tip of the rhizome is not buried. Next, add an inch or two of gravel in order to prevent the soil from escaping the container. Remember to keep the soil away from the crown of the rhizome. The plant can now be lowered into the water to a depth of approximately 6 inches. As the plant grows, it can be lowered to a depth of 12 inches. Tropical lilies can't tolerate cold temperatures and should not be planted until the water reaches a temperature of at least 70 degrees. Planting too early can cause dormancy and restrict the potential growth of the plant. Tropicals bloom from late spring through early fall, depending on the weather. Fertilizer tablets should be added every two months. 

HARDY WATER LILIES: Hardy lilies are planted in much the same way as tropicals. Hardies grow horizontally across the container, so a wide pot is necessary for planting. The rhizome should be planted at one edge of the container with the rhizome planted at an angle of about 45 degrees

with the crown exposed. Remember to use a lot of rich garden soil and top the soil with an inch or two of gravel. The plant can be lowered to a depth of 6 inches to begin with, and then lowered to a depth of 12 to 18 inches as the plant grows. Hardies should be planted in the early spring. They bloom from June through September, depending on the weather, and become dormant during the colder months. When spring approaches, they will bloom again. 

MARGINAL OR BOG PLANTS: Marginal plants should be planted in individual containers of 1 to 3 gallon capacity. The marginal plants are grown in 2 inch plastic net pots which must be removed before planting so as not to restrict their growth. Carefully remove the net pot with scissors to prevent possible damage to the roots of the plant. Plant as you would lilies, but when adding fertilizer tablets use 1 tablet for 1 gallon pots and 2 tablets for 2 or 3 gallon pots. Marginal plants should be lowered to a depth of only 2 or 3 inches. They grow out of the water and are usually found at the water's edge. 

FLOATING PLANTS: These require no planting; they grow when placed in water. Floating plants desire tropical temperatures and cannot tolerate a frost. 

OXYGENATING PLANTS: All ponds should have underwater oxygenating plants to aid in maintaining clean and pure water. These plants prevent algae growth and provide oxygen. Oxygenating plants can be planted as you would the lilies and marginals. A one gallon size pot is recommended. Completely submerge these plants to a depth of at least 12 inches.