Page 43 - aug21_Neat

- Propagating Water lilies

Water lilies are a gorgeous addition to your ponds, and are incredibly easy to grow
in Botswana, as we even have a few indigenous species of our own found in the
Okavango region. Water lilies (Nymphaea species) are rhizomes that are really very
easy to propagate.

Before the flowering season in spring or early summer, lift the water lilies out
of the water, using a large knife carefully cut through the rhizomes. Plant each
section into the centre of a basket or pot buried in some gravel and soil with
the crown of the plant at soil level. Anchor the cutting with a rock or chicken
wire to prevent the plant from floating out of the soil. Avoid using potting
soils that contain light materials or soils rich in manure, which will pollute your
pond and cause ‘eutrophication’ and algal blooms.

Water lilies don’t do well in moving water, so avoid planting near a fountain
or waterfall area of your pond. You will find they become a bit invasive in fish
ponds due to the large amounts of nutrients available from fish waste, so lift,
propagate and give to friends. Text by S.C Pics by Pixabay