For variety in your landscape, grow a gorgeous water lily in a stylish water container or pond. Water lilies require at least five to six hours of direct sunlight per day. They do best in pools where there is not much water movement. Plant them in squat pots that are at least 9" in diameter. Place the pot(s) in the container or pond with at least 12" of water above the top of the pot.
Water lilies are heavy feeders and should be planted in a mixture containing loam with 20% well rotted cow manure plus a cup of bone meal. Cover this mix with coarse sand or gravel, about an inch thick, to slow leaching of nutrients and to keep the container or pond clean.
Each year, feed the water lilies by taking a handful of bone meal, putting it in a paper bag, and burying it under the sand or gravel. The paper bag prevents the immediate dispersal of the fertilizer, then breaks down to release the nutrients.
Cynthia J. Johnson, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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