How to manage water lilies during the winter?

Bowl lotus is a small lotus, also known as white lotus and hibiscus. It has large and colorful flowers and a fragrant smell. It can be planted in pots or vases. It can be planted in containers such as bowls and pots, and has a very high ornamental value. So how to manage water lilies during the winter? Let’s take a look with the editor below.

1. Temperature management

The growth temperature of bowl lotus in winter should be controlled at 3-10℃, and the indoor temperature should be kept at around 10℃. If the temperature is too low, the water lily may suffer frost damage, while if the temperature is too high, it will break its dormancy and affect its growth next year. If there is heating at home, do not let the water lily be directly affected by the heating, otherwise it may cause it to sprout prematurely and affect subsequent flowering.

3. Water management

Although the water lily is in a dormant period in winter, the soil still needs to be kept moist, but overwatering should be avoided. Generally speaking, water once a week to keep the soil slightly moist. When watering, the water temperature should be close to the soil temperature to avoid irritating the plant roots due to excessive temperature difference. Fill the pot with water and check it frequently to see if it is lacking water. Water helps to store temperature, the more water there is, the more stable the temperature will be.

3. Lighting management

Bowl lotus likes sufficient light and should be placed in a well-lit place indoors in winter. If there is insufficient light, its growth may be affected. When the weather is good and the temperature is high, you can move the potted lotus out to bask in the sun. Bowl lotus is relatively delicate and must be avoided from drafts in winter.

4. Fertilization management

Bowl lotus generally does not require top dressing in winter, but if the stems of the bowl lotus grown that year are relatively thin, the flowers are small, the color is light, and the plants are relatively weak, you can apply appropriate winter fertilizer. You can dilute potassium dihydrogen phosphate and then water the plants, or you can add crushed eggshells or horseshoe slices into the flowerpots to make the plant's roots grow stronger.

5. Insulation measures

For water lilies that spend the winter outdoors, when encountering extremely low temperatures, you can add insulation materials around the water lilies pots, such as foam boards or straw, to increase the insulation effect. If the weather is too cold, you can also consider moving the water lily indoors, but again be careful to avoid temperatures that are too high.

6. Lotus root protection

Before winter, turn the pot over and take out the lotus roots. Try to keep the mud on the roots and do not break the connecting surface between the lotus roots to avoid infection. Then put it into the cellar and place it in the prepared jar. Cover the jar with a thin layer of grass. Check frequently during storage and sprinkle water on the tank surface to keep it moist. Prepare a large vat, place the lotus roots and mud in it, fill it with sand, and then pour water. Keep the tank well hydrated and in a muddy lake shape.

The above is an introduction to how to manage water lilies over the winter. After winter, the withered parts of the water lilies need to be cut off to reduce nutrient consumption and help the lotus roots survive the winter smoothly.