How to cultivate water lilies in a water tank without soil

Water lilies have become the choice of more and more flower lovers with their colorful colors and elegant posture. They can be seen in courtyards, front doors and terraces. So, what are the methods for cultivating soilless water lilies in water tanks?

1. Planting method

There are usually two ways to grow water lilies at home: planting in pots and planting in bottom pots . Most people tend to choose pot planting. After all, not every family has the conditions to own a small pond. Choose a large flower pot about 50 cm high and without holes, spread evenly mixed nutrient soil on the bottom, and then cover it with a layer of river mud from the local pond. It is best to use the soil that comes with the water lily propagule. Fill the tank with a soil layer about 30 cm thick, then place the water lily propagule in the center of the tank with the top bud slightly above the soil surface. Add water so that the water level is about 3 cm above the soil layer to quickly raise the temperature and ensure the survival rate. As the plants grow, gradually increase the water level.

2. Water level control

Water levels are crucial to the growth of water lilies. In the early stages of water lily growth, the water level should be kept just enough to prevent the leaves from being exposed to the air, so as to quickly increase the water temperature and promote rhizome growth. As the plants grow, the water level should be increased. During the peak growth period, top up the water level to encourage thickening of the leaf stems and larger leaves. In autumn, lower the water level, increase the water temperature and enhance photosynthesis. Before winter, gradually increase the water level and keep it above the leaves to ensure the water lilies can safely overwinter.

3. Reasonable topdressing

The amount of topdressing for water lilies should be controlled to avoid water pollution caused by excessive nutrients. Use wet soil or clay and mix it with compound fertilizer or organic fertilizer in proportion to make small soil balls, and apply them 20 cm around the rhizome to a depth of about 15 cm. Choose to apply top dressing 15 days before the water lily blooms to avoid excessive fertilization at one time.

4. Pest and disease control

Common diseases and pests of water lilies include rot, leaf rot, anthracnose and aphids. Pay attention to observation during daily maintenance and focus on prevention. Once pests and diseases are discovered, use drugs such as thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim to treat them in a timely manner. Aphids can be eliminated with dichlorvos or malathion. If algae such as sphagnum moss appears in the tank, you can use 0.3%-0.5% copper sulfate to spray it.

In short, there are many friends who grow water lilies now, but if you want to grow water lilies well, you also need to master the above principles. If you have any other questions, you can also leave a message.