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Trop water lily in basement
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Posted by gardengalkc 5 B (My Page) on Tue, Nov 10, 09 at 23:29
| My tropical water lily is in a half 55 gal drum. I just purchased a Sun System High wattage fluorescent grow light. The water temp is at 60 degrees. I need something to aerate the water. It smells a little bad right now.
I suppose this sounds a little extreme but by the time I buy a new tropical water lily every year, this setup should pay for itself in 4 or 5 years. This is the 4th year I have tried to carry over my tropical water lily. Marie |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Trop water lily in basement
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| Did you check for signs of rot when you brought it in? If the water smells you might need to check it again. In any case keep us informed. Sandy |
RE: Trop water lily in basement
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| Rot is a common problem when bringing lilies inside. You might try a small over-the-side power filter from an aquarium store to keep the water moving gently. That and an occasional partial water change should keep the water from souring. |
RE: Trop water lily in basement
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- Posted by peonyman Zone 5, Lawrence, Ks (My Page) on
Mon, Nov 16, 09 at 15:51
| Several years ago I purchased two tropical water lilies late in the season when they were on sale. I decided to try to carry them through the winter. Both lilies were in pots and I just used 5 gallon plastic buckets. I put a flood light over each bucket and kept the water level up. The plants did beautifully and one of them bloomed several times through the winter. There was not enough room for the leaves to unfurl and they just sort of stuck straight up from the edges of the 5 gallon bucket. It was a lot of work. Then entered my impatience. The following spring, after months of thriving in the basement I moved the buckets to my garage so I could quickly get them to the garden pond. Appearently it was way too early and cold and within two weeks they were both dead. The only problem I had in the basement was the presents of some type of small leaches that also thrived in the water. They didn't seem to bother anything else but I had dreams of them climbing the steps, coming to my bed and engorging on my blood each night. It was a little un-nerving. Leon
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RE: Trop water lily in basement
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I have successfully overwintered mine in a 150 gallon stock tank with an air stone to circulate the water.
I also add an aquarium heater that keeps the water at 70 degrees.
They have survived over the past 3 winters. |
RE: Trop water lily in basement
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| You need an aquarium heater to raise the water temperature. I lost tropical waterlilies twice in my heated greenhouse before I bought a heater which is set to 75*. I do not have any circulation in the water and have papyrus and cyperus in the pond too. |
RE: Trop water lily in basement
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| I started this post in November of last year. My water lily is looking good in its home in the basement. My husband used an old small pond pump and we installed that which kept water clear. We did not use a heater. I just checked temp and it is 67 degrees. The leaves are rather thin. I added one fertilizer tab about a week ago thinking that I would get stronger leaves but maybe it is the temperature. Does anyone know temp the water should outside when I transfer the lily to the pond. Any hints? Marie Leon it was nice to see your reply. |
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