Someone gave me some water lilies. They are just a long root looking thing with no green on them. It is too late to put them out? They are the hardy type I think. They don't actually have any roots on them though? Which end is up? or do they go sideways? I bought some plain cat litter and a mesh basket. I understand that is what I should plant them in. Then what? Well you can tell I don't have the slightest idea what I am doing! Any advice would be great Thanks!
Planting water lilies
If you have a long knobby looking root it is a hardy lily. If you are at all familiar with iris they kind of look the same as far as where the new growth will form. Look carefully on either side of the root and you should see areas where there are new shoots. The end of the root itself should look kind of yellow like an iris root would if you were to snap it off. Just plant it so that the root is horizontal with the new shoots pointing upwards. I just kind of squish mine into the kitty litter so that it is deep enough not to float out when the pot is submerged. These guys are tough and will overcome a lot to grow so don't worry too much about planting them perfectly. Kind of like the wild iris "just step on 'em and keep on walking".
Put the root in the catlitter and cover around 3 inches put some river gravel over the catlitter to hold that in place and sink the whole thing in the deep end of your pond for the winter. If you have fish just make sure they have room in the pond too.
OK so over the winter they have to be deeper? How do I know when to lift them in the spring? I mean early spring or later? They dont have any green on them at all, will they live like that? They wont grow any green over the winter right?
Great idea about the river gravel over the litter, otherwise it would make a mess I think. Thanks!
You will see small leaves with very short stems. They are the first leaves to catch the sun and start the plant growing in the spring. When you see these small leaves held close to the rizhome you can bring it up. Even if the weather might have an occasional late spring frost it's OK. Get them up into warmer water and more sun.
FL: I don't know that much about lillys but love your user name . . .
Well thank you mothermole.
Thanks for the instructions! Will do!