I'm trying to decide how to overwinter tropical water lilies in zone 7 for the winter. My hardy water lilies, I just put in the deeper part of the pond for the winter, but haven't had the tropical ones over a winter yet, this is my first. What would be the best place for them? I was told a while back that you could cut off the green part of water lilies and put in a baggie and store in the refridgerator (lettuce crisper)over winter and take out in spring and plant and it would be ok. Anyone know for sure how to overwinter them. I have tropical tina, and tropical green smoke. I also have lotus but was told they could overwinter in the deep end of the pond also for winter. My pond never freezes. I run the filter and pump all year.Pond is 3 ft. deep on deep end. Need help.
tropical water lilies in zone 7
Mekos.. found this link. I was curious as I have one lily I was not sure what to do with this winter myself.
http://www.onwatergarden.com/articles/tropwtrlily01.htm
Thank you very much, that is interesting. Now I know they can't stay in the pond, my water temp. will be below 60. I had planned to put in greenhouse but now may have to re-think about bringing inside. Hmmmm.
yeah..I bet they get kinda stinky too! Think I will put mine in with the brugs & other pond plants I plan to keep in an outdoor greenhouse with a space heater.
What zone are you in? I leave my brugs in ground and they come back each year.
I am in zone 7a but we get snow and temps below freezing. This is my first year with Brugs and I am not sure exactly what to do. I would hate to loose them all. Think it best to take them in.
I've lived in this zone all my 56 years and had brugs for the last 8 years and they all live in the ground. They die back to the ground and in spring they come back. If you want to try it out. Leave them in ground, cut limbs off strip leaves off cuttings, place in water in the house for winter(or greenhouse) those will root in a few weeks time can be planted in pots. When late spring rolls around go look where the brugs were and you will see them growing back out. You can compost around them or mulch over them for the winter, but they will come back.( I cut the stalks off to the ground and cover with pine needles or dry leaves for the winter. I havent lost one in 8 years, except one that ants got in the ground under the plant and ate it from the inside out and it died in the summer.)I use ant control now and the others are fine. They get a slower start since they have to start fresh each year, but will catch up fast.
Thanks for the info.