How often should I change the water for water lilies?

Water lily is a perennial aquatic herb belonging to the genus Nymphaeaceae. It has a thick rhizome and leaves that are heart-shaped or ovate-elliptical, floating on the water. They are entire and shiny. The flowers are large and beautiful, with a diameter of up to 3-5 cm. The base of the calyx is quadrangular. Many friends now grow water lilies at home, so how often should they change the water?

How often should I change my water lilies?

When caring for water lilies, changing the water is an important step. Generally speaking, changing the water once a week or so is a reasonable interval6. Regularly changing the water source can keep the water fresh and rich in nutrients, providing a good growth environment for water lilies.

The benefits of changing the water include reducing the breeding of mosquitoes, because the hydroponic environment of water lilies can easily become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, especially mosquito larvae will hatch in the water. By frequently changing the water source, mosquito larvae can be effectively prevented from hatching, thereby reducing the number of mosquitoes and creating a cleaner and healthier growth environment. At the same time, changing the water source can increase the nutrient content in the water, providing sufficient support for the later growth and flowering of water lilies.

When changing water for water lilies, you should pay attention to the following points:

Avoid using freshly drawn water directly; the temperature of the new water source should be comparable to the water temperature in the flowerpot to reduce the impact of the temperature difference on the water lily.

Choose a suitable water source. It is best to use running water such as rainwater or stream water. These water sources are rich in nutrients and oxygen, which help promote the growth and flowering of water lilies. If tap water is used, it is recommended to leave it for a while before changing the water.

When changing the water source, you can add an appropriate amount of clothianidin, which is an effective insect repellent that can prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water and protect water lilies from pests.

In addition to changing the water, what other things should you pay attention to when caring for water lilies?

Light: Water lilies need full sunlight, especially during the growing and flowering periods. Make sure they receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight.

Temperature: Water lilies have certain temperature requirements. The suitable growth temperature for most water lily varieties is between 18-32 degrees Celsius. Avoid extreme heat or cold.

Soil: Use soil rich in organic matter to help the water lily's roots grow healthily. The pH of soil is usually between 6.0-7.5.

Fertilizer : Proper fertilization is essential for the growth of water lilies. You can use a fertilizer designed specifically for aquatic plants and fertilize according to the product instructions.

Container Selection: Choose a container that is large enough to accommodate the growth of the water lily, while ensuring that the container is not too deep so as not to affect the lily pads from floating above the water.

Water level management: Maintaining the proper water level ensures that the water lily's leaves can float on the water surface while the roots can penetrate deep into the soil.

Pruning: Regularly trim away dead leaves and spent flowers to encourage new growth and keep the plant neat and tidy.

Pest and disease control: Observe the water lilies carefully for signs of pests and diseases, and take timely measures to treat them, such as using biological control methods or appropriate amounts of chemical pesticides .

Winter protection: In colder areas, you may need to take steps to protect your water lilies from freezing during the winter, such as moving the container indoors or placing a protective covering over the water.

Reproduction: Water lilies can be propagated by division or sowing. Division is usually carried out in spring, while sowing requires suitable conditions.

Water quality: Keep the water clean and avoid using water containing chlorine or other chemicals that may harm water lilies.

Growth Regulation: During the growing season, the growth rate and flowering time of water lilies can be controlled by adjusting the light and fertilizer.

In short, in addition to changing the water, by comprehensively considering these maintenance points, you can ensure that the water lily grows healthily and blooms beautiful flowers in the right season.