How to Plant Tropical Waterlilies: A Comprehensive Guide

Initial Care After Receiving Your Plant

When you receive your tropical waterlily, there are crucial steps to follow immediately to ensure its survival and successful planting:

1. Carefully inspect your plant upon opening the package. If you notice any damage or signs of illness, contact your supplier immediately.
2. Keep the entire plant moist at all times after unpacking:
   • The roots must stay wet
   • The stems must remain moist
   • The undersides of the pads (leaves) need constant moisture

Important: A common mistake is only keeping the roots and base of the stems in water while letting the rest of the plant dry out. This can harm the plant.

Temporary Storage

Before planting, store your waterlily properly:

• Choose a shaded location on the side of your house
• Place the plant in pond water
• Cover the protruding parts with damp newspaper to keep everything moist
• Ensure the plant remains in shade until planting

Planting Instructions

Planting Depth and Medium

• Use either heavy or loam soil as your planting medium
• Create a hole in the center of your pot (unlike hardy waterlilies, which are planted toward the edge)
• Plant the rhizome vertically in the center of the pot

Critical Planting Tips

• Do not cover the crown (where roots meet the stem) with soil
• This allows new growth to reach the surface unimpeded
• Place the pot in 6-12 inches of water
  • This depth is crucial because:
  • Air bubbles in the plant can cause it to float if planted deeper
  • Deeper planting may pull the plant from the soil

Important Don’ts

• Avoid using stones to weigh down the roots as this can:
  • Kill the plant
  • Inhibit growth
• Instead, use sand on top of the soil, which allows new growth to push through

Ongoing Care

Fertilization Schedule

• Fertilize every 15 days
• Use specialized water lily fertilizer like pondtabbs, pondtabbs plus (the best for tropical waterlilies)
• Consistent fertilization during growing season promotes daily blooming

Water Depth Maintenance

• Maintain 6-12 inches of water depth
• Monitor water levels regularly
• Adjust as needed to maintain optimal growing conditions

With proper care and maintenance following these guidelines, your tropical waterlily should thrive and produce beautiful blooms throughout the growing season.

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