When do water lilies bloom
A brief knowledge sharing, introducing when water lilies bloom and the experience of caring for green plants, including the cultivation methods and precautions for water lilies. Let's dive into the introduction by the editor.
Water lilies symbolize purity and beauty, often described as "holy objects, not stained by the muddy water." They have a long history of cultivation in our country and have always been a favorite among scholars and literati. Now many gardening enthusiasts also enjoy keeping a pot of water lilies, watching the reflection of the lotus in the water during summer is a delightful experience. Especially mini water lilies are more popular, as they can be grown in a smaller container and are not difficult to bloom. But why do your water lilies bloom with small flowers and less often? Check carefully to see if the following tasks are done well.
Water Lily
Water Depth Issue
Water lilies can live in water, but not in water of any depth. The optimal water depth for water lilies should be controlled between 25~30cm, and for mini water lilies, it should be between 10~15cm. Water that is too shallow or too deep is not conducive to the formation and full development of flower buds in water lilies, especially when the water is deeper than 80cm, they almost never bloom. When the water is too shallow, although they can bloom, the flowers are often small, the color is pale, and the flowering period is short.
Water Lily
Reason
Controlling the depth of water for water lilies is actually to control the temperature, as changes in water temperature greatly affect their growth. In shallow water during summer, although the water temperature can rise quickly, it is not conducive to leaf growth, cannot store growth substances well, and is difficult to achieve optimal blooming results. When the water is too deep, the temperature rises slowly, and the rhizomes of water lilies cannot enter rapid growth, thus failing to normally differentiate flower buds and bloom.
Suggestion
Summer is the blooming season for water lilies, and attention should be paid to changes in water level in the container. When the water level is too shallow, water should be supplemented in time. When the water level is too deep, water should be reduced in time. If you have always been growing water lilies in deep or shallow water and the blooming performance is poor, it is recommended to adjust the water level to a reasonable position as soon as possible, and high-quality flowers can still be produced.
Water Lily
Lighting Issue
Water lilies enjoy light, and to ensure large and numerous blooms, it is necessary to provide sufficient lighting, with a daily exposure time of no less than six hours. Insufficient lighting results in vigorous vegetative growth, thick and wide leaves, no flower buds, and even if a few flowers bloom, they are often small and not very ornamental. The more lighting, the more flowers water lilies produce. Therefore, lighting is the key to promoting blooming in water lilies, and they should be exposed to the sun as much as possible.
Reason
Like other flowering plants, sufficient lighting can inhibit the rapid growth of water lily leaves, transitioning from the vegetative growth stage to the reproductive growth stage, and entering the flowering period smoothly. Additionally, from June to August is the peak blooming period for water lilies, and sufficient lighting can quickly raise the water temperature, making the roots active and easily differentiating flower buds, thus achieving the goal of flowering. Especially in northern regions with large temperature differences between day and night, water lilies are more likely to bloom because the water temperature rises for a longer time. In the Jiangnan region, where the temperature difference between day and night is not significant, even with less intense lighting, the water temperature can easily rise, and water lilies can bloom more.
Suggestion
The length of lighting time not only allows water lilies to bloom more but also prolongs the blooming time of individual flowers. Water lily flowers bloom in the presence of light and close in the absence of light, with a single flower lasting 2 to 5 days. If the lighting time at home is short, the time to enjoy the full bloom of water lilies is also short. If the lighting time is long, from morning to night, water lilies bloom from morning to night. Therefore, to grow water lilies well, it is necessary to ensure lighting time. If the lighting at home is insufficient, it is not recommended to grow water lilies, or they can be cared for as ornamental leafy plants.
When do water lilies bloom
Water Lily
Fertilization Issue
Water lilies need to be fertilized when they enter the peak blooming period. Insufficient nutrients make it difficult to bloom, or the flowers are small and the blooming period is short. However, fertilizing water lilies requires a method and strategy, as excessive nutrition can easily lead to the growth of algae, not only failing to promote flowering but also making the water unclear, which is counterproductive. So how do you fertilize water lilies? Do not directly place the fertilizer in the water, as the algae will grow faster than the water lilies. You can wrap the fertilizer in sticky soil, form a small ball, and bury it 15cm away from the center position, 10cm below the soil layer. This way, the fertilizer will slowly release and directly act on the roots.
Water Lily
Reason
Water lily leaves have a waxy layer, which makes them hydrophobic and unable to absorb fertilizer through the leaves. Fertilization can only be done through the roots. Directly placing fertilizer in the water can cause high nutrient content in the water, leading to a large-scale outbreak of algae and polluting the water, causing poor leaf growth or direct rot. Therefore, fertilizing water lilies must be buried deep in the soil, allowing the roots to absorb it, while the nutrient content in the water changes little, achieving the true purpose of fertilization.
Suggestion
If your water lilies bloom less, are small, and have a short blooming period, you can use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate or Flower多多 No. 2, every 15 to 20 days during the peak blooming period. Use a small amount each time, wrap it in a soil ball, and bury it 10cm away from the roots. This promotes flowering and bud growth. However, the concentration of the fertilizer must be controlled, applying a thin layer frequently, as too much can burn the roots and cause algae to grow疯狂.
Water Lily
Seed Setting Issue
Some water lilies can set seeds, but their seeds are not as large and obvious as those of lotus flowers, as the lotus pod itself is small, and the seeds are even smaller. To make water lilies bloom more and have a longer blooming period, it is necessary to prevent them from setting seeds. After each flower fades, carefully cut off the spent flowers to save nutrient consumption. Some gardening enthusiasts find that their water lilies bloom quite a lot in the beginning, with lighting and fertilization ongoing, and no significant temperature changes, but the number of flowers gradually decreases, which may be due to seed setting. It is best not to allow potted water lilies to set seeds, focusing on ornamental leaf and flower purposes.