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Bill:
In ponds that will experience pretty good water level fluctuations, can the medium or large varieties be planted in water that might be only 1"-3' deep when they are planted, but could get to 5'-8' depth at different times of the year or even the subsequent years?
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esshup - that is an interesting concept. Water lilies in ponds with water fluctuations of 4 to 5 feet, the water lilies of large type when growing in the 6 to 8 feet depths could maintain colonization to endure the low water levels. I have never seen that happen but it cold be possible providing those deep growing water lilies receive enough light for the rhizomes (roots) to send up new sprouts in spring. Water turbidity will play a role for the deepest lilies to produce new growth in Spring. Note -- the tropical varieties or species of water lilies do not tolerate cold water during winter. Their lowest acceptable temperature range for overwintering tubers is often cited as 55-60°F (13-16°C). Do diligent homework when buying water lilies for pond plantings.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 12/07/25 03:14 PM. Reason: added temp tolerance of tropicals
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
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Thanks Bill. In my personal pond, I typically come out of winter with low water, and even if the water was high, I usually have super clear water until the end of April or middle of May. So, my thought was that the medium or large varieties (if cold tolerant) would be a good choice. I had some of the shorter varieties, but they didn't grow taller when the water levels rose. Now to research where to get some that are NOT tropical varieties.
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esshup - Go back to back issues of Pond Boss magazine in 2010 Mar-Apr and Jul-Aug for my two how-to-do-it articles Part 1 and Part 2 for growing water lilies in ponds.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
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esshup |
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Amazing project! Where did you find your aquatic plants? I’m in liberty county and trying to find somewhere with a good selection in the Houston area. Some of them were gifts from other pond owners that shared, but most of them were purchased at Texas Water Lilies before it changed ownership and became Farm to Market Water Lilies (farmtomarketwaterlilies dot com). I have not purchased from them since the brand/ownership change, but previously, I both picked up in person and ordered to have plants shipped. I didn't know what I was doing. Pond Boss and some of the great folks here have definitely taught me that I don't know what I don't know about pond management. I am looking forward to growing my knowledge even more with the next pond project. /c
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Note to all readers: when using water lilies planted in ponds try to buy the appropriate size of variety for the water depth you want them to spread into. Water lilies are sold as 4 sizes. Dwarf lily sizes 1ft - maybe 3ft deep. Small variety 2 ft to 4ft sometimes 5ft. Medium 4.5ft to 5ft upto 6ft deep. Large varieties 5ft to 8ft deep depending on substrate and water clarity. When buying water lilies the description should note the type of spread or probable growth into water depth. Plant maximum growth height is similar for most green house plants such as fruit trees - dwarf short and standard - full height for that variety.
All pond plants need light to grow. The clearer the water is expect the plants to grow deeper unless the plant is a short or dwarf variety. It only takes around 1% of the surface iight to reach the bottom for green plants to grow. in the pond example above from KapHn8d the water lilies and FA will have a hard time growing very deep due to the 'high' turbidity of the water. I'm quoting Bill's advice. Large Hardy Lilies can get away from you in just a few years.
AL
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I'm quoting Bill's advice. Large Hardy Lilies can get away from you in just a few years. Good point about water lilies. This is a very good reason to not plant the large variety of hybrid water lily. Note I say hybrid water lily. IMO in most instances where the water lilies "get away from you" is when using the wild varieties. Unknowing pond owners can IMO think why not just plant the cheap water lilies growing wild in my local lake. Bad idea. These wild type of water lilies spread rapidly and I consider them 'rampant' by the sprouting fertile seeds and prolific buds that break from the rhizome(root), float and begin growing at the surface water line. I learned that lesson the had way by paying the Dumb Tax. All water lilies can be controlled or the size of patches reduced in my experiences by using appropriate herbicides. Hybrid water lilies do not produce fertile seeds and noticably fewer buds on the rhizome, thus they spread measurably slower than the wild water lilies.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 12/19/25 02:22 PM.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
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