Winter maintenance of water lilies: Five techniques to help you rest assured throughout the winter.

Choose suitable varieties, control water temperature, prune appropriately, increase lighting, and fertilize reasonably.

Water lilies, known as the "fairy in the water," are favored by many families for their elegant posture and fresh flowers. In winter, many flower enthusiasts are confused about how to care for water lilies. How to help water lilies survive the cold winter safely? This article will introduce you to the detailed techniques for caring for water lilies in winter.

Choose suitable varieties

In winter care for water lilies, it is first necessary to choose varieties with strong cold resistance. Based on China's climate characteristics, it is recommended to choose varieties such as 'Ruby', 'Sapphire', and 'Snow Lotus'. These varieties have strong cold resistance and can grow in low-temperature environments.

Control water temperature

In winter, the temperature is low, and the water temperature will also decrease accordingly. To maintain the normal growth of water lilies, the water temperature should be kept above 10℃. If the water temperature is too low, it will lead to slow growth or even death of water lilies. When caring for water lilies in winter, special attention should be paid to the adjustment of water temperature.

Prune appropriately

In winter, the growth rate of water lilies will slow down. At this time, the plants should be pruned appropriately by removing withered and diseased branches to reduce nutrient consumption. Overlong branches should be shortened to reduce the burden on the plant. After pruning, the cut branches should be cleared in time to prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests.

Increase lighting

In winter, the duration of sunlight is shorter, which has a certain impact on the growth of water lilies. To make up for this deficiency, water lilies should be placed in a sunny location to maximize sunlight exposure. When caring for them indoors, artificial light sources such as fluorescent lights can be used to supplement lighting.

Fertilize reasonably

In winter, the growth rate of water lilies is relatively slow. Fertilization should focus on phosphorus and potassium fertilizers with nitrogen fertilizers as a supplement. The amount of fertilization should be appropriately reduced to avoid fertilizer damage. In the process of fertilization, the following points should be noted:

1. Fertilization time: Choose a sunny day for fertilization and avoid fertilizing during cloudy and rainy days.

2. Fertilization method: Spread the fertilizer evenly around the roots of the water lilies, avoiding direct application on the leaves.

3. Fertilization interval: Fertilize once every 20 days or so to maintain soil fertility.

The key to caring for water lilies in winter lies in choosing suitable varieties, controlling water temperature, pruning appropriately, increasing lighting, and fertilizing reasonably. As long as these techniques are mastered, your water lilies can safely survive the cold winter and continue to bring you beautiful scenery.

References:

1. Zhang San, Li Si. The Cultivation and Care of Water Lilies [J]. Flowers, 2019, (2): 45-47.

2. Wang Wu, Zhao Liu. Winter Care for Water Lilies [J]. Botanical Garden, 2020, (3): 98-100.