Am brand new to water gardening, have a beautiful Louisiana Iris (Black Gamecock), a Dwarf Cattail (Typha Laxmanii), and an Elephant Ear (Colocasia). My question is how can I over winter these for next year...winter's can get pretty cold in this zone.
Over Wintering (Zone 3b)
Hi Dema
Your Louisiana Iris is just hardy to zone 6 so you
will have to bring it inside and store it in a cold room,
cool closet or fridge. The dwarf cattail will overwinter
outside - mine have for 5 years now. The Elephant Ear
can be touched by a light frost and will have to have the
top growth removed and the bulb stored in peat in a cool
area as well.
Edited to say the Louisiana Iris cannot be stored in
water. The hexagonae crowns must spend winter above
H2O!
This message was edited Sunday, Aug 10th 12:19 PM
Hi Lilypon
Thanks so much for the info on wintering the pond plants. The local greenhouses now have their plants on sale....now would be the time to purchase if things can be saved for the following year.
Thanks Again
Is the cold room the best thing for my Louisiana Iris? Would it also be stored in peat?
I've removed the dead foliage and put the entire container
in the fridge or cool storage room. As long as it doesn't
freeze hard, or get warm, there shouldn't be any
problems.
You're welcome! Good luck with your pond-in our zone
I find it to be such a feast for the eyes!! ;~)
This message was edited Monday, Aug 11th 2:05 AM