Water lilies or water lilies in your garden. Appearance, habitat and reproduction of the white water lily or water lily Colored water lilies

The water lily has been known since ancient times. Legends were made about it, endowed with miraculous powers, and worn as a talisman. Its ancient name is overpowering grass. And in Latin its name is pronounced “Nymphea”.

The flower is extremely beautiful and looks fabulous on the surface of the water. Today the nymph is the most beautiful, bright plant on home ponds and lakes.

Water lily is listed in the Red Book- protected by law due to the decline of the species.

What does a flower look like and where does it grow?

If you watch a water lily at dawn, you will get an indelible feeling!

When this magical creation of nature rises from the depths of the reservoir and then opens a bud before your eyes, you understand that a flower is being born right now. And so one after another.

What's surprising is During the day, the flower moves throughout the body of water following the sun, turning his head towards the rays. If clouds come into the sky, the bud instantly closes.

And closer to sunrise, the lily prepares to dive under water. If the weather is cloudy in the morning, then the water lily may not rise to the surface of the water at all.

Nymphea blooms from early June to late October, depending on the variety. About 50 species can be found of this flower.

Useful information: the uniqueness of the flower lies in the fact that the water lily is an amphibious plant and can grow both on water and on land.

Can grow in lakes and rivers with slow flowing water. In reservoirs from temperate, tropical zones to forests and tundra of Russia, Canada and Scandinavia. Some frost-resistant species can easily survive wintering in freezing bodies of water.

The appearance of the flower is so diverse that you can find a plant with a diameter of 3 to 30 centimeters, not to mention the palette of inflorescences.

Water lilies have a powerful root system in the form of tubers. Long roots extend down from them, also serving as an anchor for the flower.

Planting and caring for white water lily

Can it reproduce?

According to biological description, nymphs reproduce vegetatively by rhizomes, less often by seeds, (with the help of fish that shake the plant upon their contact), and also pollen(thanks to bugs and insects).

In its natural environment water lily reproduces by shoots from rhizomes. It is enough to cut off the rhizome with a bud and plant it in a pot.

Dividing and planting nymphs:

How to plant this flower in water?

It is optimal to plant a water lily at any time, from May to the end of September. If the pond is heated and large, then the plant can be planted directly into the ground. In small ponds they are placed in special containers.

If you plant a flower directly in a container, this will greatly ease your labor costs of moving the plant to a warm place during wintering.

Containers should be wide and low, with drainage holes. If the holes are too large, then line the bottom with burlap to avoid washing out the soil.

And do not forget about the external component of the flower container: it should be dark in color so that it does not look out from the bottom of the reservoir.

The soil for a water lily should consist of garden soil, sand and compost. You can add bone meal, it will have a positive effect on the development and growth of the flower.

When planting, the rhizomes must be placed on the ground with the roots down so that they do not float up. But it is necessary to plant the rhizomes so that they protrude slightly from the ground. Otherwise, the water lily will grow and develop poorly.

Also it is possible to grow a flower from its seeds. To do this, you need to take a container, container or pot and pour some water with sand. Press the seeds into the sand and add water again. You will get about 3-4 centimeters of water above the seeds.

In just 6-12 days it will be possible to observe the rise of the first adventitious roots. At the same time, it is time for the first transplant into 2-4 cm pots, and after the second transplant, 7 cm pots are chosen.

The second transplant is carried out in pots directly into the reservoir, with temperature conditions water +18-22C.

The next stage is the final one. Select 20 cm pots and transplant the flowers into a pond with water to a depth of 40-50 cm, where they are kept at a water temperature of +20+22C.

In order for the nymph to survive the winter well, it is important that the depth of the pond reaches 1-1.5 meters. If the depth is less or greater, the flower must be placed in a dark place.

To do this, it is first prepared: the dying leaves are removed and the container with water is put in a warm place. This is how the water lily goes into hibernation.

The water level in the container should be up to 4 cm above the rhizome. And in the spring the beauty will return to her pond.

Use on the farm

Water lilies are used on the farm for various needs.

For example, rhizomes are used for food. Cut into slices, dry, grind to flour. Next, they are washed and used for baking bread and flatbreads.

For acute respiratory infections, the roots of the flower are used as mustard plasters. And decoctions and infusions are used in the treatment of malignant tumors. The decoction also has a calming effect on the central nervous system.

For its hemostatic properties, often used for wounds. Soothes and reduces pain. The rhizomes are also used for inflammatory processes on the skin.

A drink is prepared from nymphea seeds, reminiscent of coffee. For insomnia and neuroses, healers use it as a sedative.

And for rheumatism and neuralgia, water lily is used as an analgesic, and for fever as a mild antipyretic.

However, the use of the plant in medicinal purposes should be careful, especially when taking decoctions and infusions, as it significantly lowers blood pressure.

It is imperative to consult a competent doctor and obtain his permission to self-medicate with this plant.

Beautiful pond decoration

There is a beautiful legend about green tea and white water lily. If at dawn you place a flower in bloom green tea, and collect it at the end of the day, then after drinking it, a person will gain the necessary vitality.

If a water lily has settled in your pond, then an interesting solution would be the appearance of fish in it. Fish not only decorate the pond, but also serve as good helpers for flowers.

The most popular fish will be Koi carp and comets. They are extraordinarily beautiful. Comets are more mobile and live in the upper layers of the reservoir; moreover, they do not disturb the flowers. And carp are more fussy, rushing around in plants and making a mess.

If the reservoir is large (2-3 meters deep), then carp will fit into the picture better. If the body of water is small (up to 70 centimeters), then opt for a comet.

Water lily is a genus of herbaceous aquatic plants from the Water Lily family. Their natural habitat is standing or slowly flowing fresh water in subtropical and temperate climates. The plant is found in the Far East, the Urals, in Central Asia, Russia, Belarus and neighboring countries. In addition to the usual name, it is called “water lily”, “child of the sun” or “nymphea”. The water lily is shrouded in various legends. According to one of them, the white nymph turned into a water flower because of her unrequited love for Hercules. According to other beliefs, every flower has an elf friend. You should definitely decorate your own small pond with this flower, because in addition to aesthetic pleasure, the owner receives a lot of health and household benefits.

Appearance of the plant

Water lily is an aquatic perennial with a long horizontal rhizome. It clings to the silt and grows deeper with shorter vertical shoots. The thickness of the cord-like horizontal roots is about 5 cm. Large petiolate leaves grow from the buds at the nodes of the stem. Some of them may be located in the water column, but most are located on the surface. The heart-shaped, almost rounded leaf plate is distinguished by its high density. Its size is 20-30 cm in diameter. The edges of the leaves are whole, and the surface can be one-color or two-color: green, brown, pinkish, light green.

In May-June the first flowers begin to appear. The flowering period can last until frost, although an individual flower lives only 3-4 days. In the evening, the petals close, the peduncle shortens and pulls the flower under water. In the morning the reverse process occurs. Usually the corolla consists of 4 sepals, which are similar to petals, but are more saturated in color. Behind them, in several rows, are large oval petals with a pointed edge. The color of the petals can be white, cream, pink or red. The latter develop into smaller flattened stamens. A pistil is visible at the very core. The diameter of a water lily flower is 6-15 cm. The flowers exude a pleasant aroma of varying intensity.

After pollination, the peduncle contracts and curls, carrying the ripening fruit underwater in the form of an oblong seed pod. After final ripening, the walls open, releasing small seeds covered with thick mucus. At first they are on the surface, and when the mucus is completely washed away, they sink to the bottom and germinate.

Due to the deterioration of the ecological situation, siltation and shallowing of water bodies, the number of water lilies has greatly decreased. The population decline was also influenced by the extermination of plants for medicinal purposes. Some species, for example, white water lily, are already included in the Red Book.

Types of water lilies

According to the latest data, the Water Lily genus includes more than 40 plant species.

Water lily snow-white (pure white). The inhabitant of Central Russian ponds is distinguished by a particularly powerful root system with tuberous growths on the rhizome. Fleshy petioles carry leaves and flowers to the surface of the water. Solid bright green leaves on the surface of the water are 20-25 cm wide. They have a rounded shape with a dissection at the point where the petiole is attached. The first buds open at the end of May or beginning of June, they replace each other until late autumn. The maximum number of flowers is observed in the second half of summer. Snow-white fragrant flowers with a diameter of 10-15 cm consist of several rows of pointed ovoid petals and a lush core with yellow stamens.

Plants live in Eurasia and North Africa. Quite large leaves reach a width of 30 cm, but have a disproportionate structure of the plate. At the beginning of summer, creamy-white flowers with a diameter of about 15 cm bloom. Larger petals are located in the outer circle, and towards the center they gradually become smaller and turn into several rows of stamens.

The inhabitant of northern Siberia has very modest dimensions. The diameter of its pinkish-white flowers does not exceed 5 cm.

A group of decorative water lilies bred specifically for use in the garden. The reason for this is the poor survival rate of wild plants in cultivation. The most popular varieties:

• Alba is a plant 40-100 cm high with large snow-white flowers;
• Rosea - large corollas with a pink cup and pale pink petals bloom on shoots 0.2-1 m long;
• Gold Medal – golden flowers with many narrow petals located on a shoot up to 1 m long;
• James Brydon – small terry cherry corollas consist of wide and round petals, they grow on a stem up to 1 m long;
• Blue Beauty - Large green leaves surround flowers with blue petals and a golden center.

The colors of the water lily species are usually dominated by shades of white or pink, but some claim to have seen a yellow water lily. Such a plant does exist, but belongs to a different genus - Capsule. The genera are very similar in leaf structure and habitat. Both belong to the same family. At the same time, the flowers have a more modest size and do not exceed 4-6 cm in diameter. The petals themselves are wider and rounder.

Features of reproduction

Propagating water lilies is very difficult. Even for an experienced gardener, not every attempt will be crowned with success. Seed propagation is usually only possible in the natural environment in the south of the country.

The best result is shown vegetative methods. To do this, you need to remove the rhizome and cut it into pieces so that each section has at least one bud. The cut areas need to be sprinkled charcoal. All manipulations must be carried out quickly enough, because the plant does not tolerate drying out the roots. It is placed in a container with water and sludge. If there are several leaves on a piece, some of them should be removed so as not to weaken the plant.

Secrets of care

The use of decorative water lilies is an excellent solution for small ponds. They grow best in a well-lit, open place, but can also grow in slight shade. In full shade the plant will not die, but you may not see flowers. To prevent the entire surface of the water from becoming covered with vegetation, 1-4 m² of reservoir must be allocated for each specimen. Water lilies grow best in still, calm water or with little current. Constant seething is contraindicated for them, so plants near the fountain will die.

Planting is carried out in May-June. Although you can place the root directly on the bottom of the reservoir, it is more convenient to plant the nymph in a bucket or large plastic container. For the winter, the plant can be removed so that it does not freeze in a shallow, completely frozen pond. The soil mixture is made up of the following components:

• peat;
• garden soil;
• river sand;
• compost.

The growing point should remain on the surface when planting. To prevent the soil from floating up and the seedlings from being washed away, the surface is weighted with pebbles. The depth of immersion depends on the height of the particular variety. It can be only 20 cm or reach 1 m. First, the container with the plant is placed in a shallow part so that leaves appear faster. As they grow, the water lily is immersed deeper and deeper. Such movements are possible only during the growing season. With the appearance of buds, fluctuations in water level are contraindicated.

Nymphea needs feeding. Bone meal can serve as a fertilizer for it. It is mixed with clay and formed into balls. They are immersed in the soil near the roots.

When planting, it is necessary to take into account the degree of winter hardiness of the varieties. Some of them are preserved even in severe frosts. Most often these are tall varieties in a spacious reservoir. Otherwise, the container with the water lily is removed and transferred to a fairly cold and dark room, and in early spring after the ice melts, it is returned to the pond. Rare night frosts will not harm the plant.

Water lilies are not afraid of diseases; they have a very strong immune system. In extreme heat, aphids can settle on a plant in a body of water that is too shallow. The harm it does to the entire water lily is small, but the flowers may fall off without opening. The succulent leaves also attract snails. The use of insecticides can lead to poisoning of the entire reservoir, so it is better to use mechanical methods to remove pests. The snails are collected, and the aphids are washed off with a stream of water.

Medicinal properties

All parts of the plant contain a large amount of active substances, such as starch, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, fatty oils, proteins, tannins, alkaloids, and glycosides. The crushed raw materials are brewed and taken orally to combat headaches, amenorrhea, insomnia, hepatitis, bladder spasms, diarrhea, and tumors. External use of the decoction helps get rid of inflammation on the skin.

Many active substances in excess they do more harm to the body than they do good. They should not be abused; it is best to take the drugs under the supervision of a doctor. Also contraindications are allergies and a tendency to hypotension.

Water Lily (Aqua)- This is a perennial.

Grows like water herbaceous plant.

Belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae.

Counts over 50 subspecies.

Aqua It has wide root system of a brown tint. The rhizome is heavily intertwined under water.

The roots reach a height of more than 2.5 meters. They grow petioles and leaves. Thanks to this system of air channels, the flower can breathe easily and stay on the surface of the water during heavy rains and strong winds. The center of gravity of such leaves is located at the place where the petiole grows.

The leaves are floating, ovoid in shape. They reach 25-35 cm in diameter. Young specimens are crimson in color. With age, the leaves change color and become lilac.

The plant has heterophylly.

Because of this, the color and size of the leaves are different. The lily is rolled up like a cap. With its help, the flower bud is covered.

Below are photos of Water Lily (Aqua):

Bloom

The flowers are single, very large, snow-white. They can reach 15-25 cm in diameter. The flowers are cup-shaped. Each flower has 3-5 petals. The location of the leaves smoothly turns into stamens. The stigma is orange-bloody in color and has a depressed shape.

Aroma very strong, delicate, floral. Every flower can bloom 3-5 days. But due to their large number, flowering continues during all warm days from May to September. With the onset of cold weather, the flowers begin to fade. After flowering, oval fruits of an emerald hue are formed. Fruit formation occurs under water.

Habitat

Where do water lilies grow? In water along the banks of rivers, lakes, swamps and other bodies of water. Distributed in the center of the Russian Federation, Asia, Transcaucasia, Belarus, Ukraine.

In most cases Aqua grows in forest and steppe zones. This representative of the flora is also used as decoration in landscape design. Water Lily can grow in flowing and still waters. It decorates artificial swamps, ponds, streams, lakes, and fountains.

Interesting fact. The mesmerizing bloom of Aqua inspires poets, writers, composers and artists.

Many talents depicted the Water Lily on their canvases.

Claude Monet bred in my greenhouse different types flowers and erected gardens in the suburbs of Paris.

One of these gardens called Japanese water lilies, in which water lilies grow.

In this garden he created a series of paintings with Water Lilies and Aqua.

Care

In early spring it is necessary to treat with insecticides. They have a wide spectrum of action. Important be in time before neighboring plants begin to bloom.

Before the buds are completely formed, it is necessary to treat the flower with fungicides. Such procedures prevent the development of fungal diseases.

Treatments must be carried out Necessarily, since the flower grows in aquatic conditions with high air humidity.

Accommodation

Planting and replanting allowed produce throughout the growing season.

Lilies need 3-6 hours natural sunlight. The plant can tolerate direct sunlight.

The optimal temperature for growth is 18-26°C. Don't let the temperature drop below 14°C.

The place for growing is chosen to be sunny, warm, protected from the wind. The water in the reservoir is changed every two weeks. Wild Water Lilies can tolerate heavy rainfall, cold gusts of wind and even hail.

Planting and transplanting

Usually he lasts from late spring to early autumn - until the onset of cold weather. The selected body of water should be well lit.

If you use large and wide reservoirs, then when cold weather sets in, the ponds freeze. To prevent frost from damaging the root system of the flower, the plant is planted in the soil itself in a larger depression.

When using decorative fountains, Aqua is planted in a special container.

This method of growth allows you to pull the flower out of the pond and transfer it to a warmer and brighter place for the winter.

Such containers should not be very high, but very wide, resembling bowls or trays. There should be drainage holes at the bottom.

When using a basket with large cells or a wooden box, the bottom must lay down burlap. Otherwise, the ribbed surface will damage the roots of Aqua. And the soil will be washed out through the cracks and holes, which will lead to the death of the plant.

When using Water Lily as decoration landscape design It is recommended to choose containers dark to match the color of the soil surface.

Thus, they will not be visible from the artificial reservoir.

Important! When planting a plant in soil, it is necessary to use soil no more than 25-35 cm thick.

The root system should be secured with wooden pins, wire, crushed stone or natural stone.

Useful video

How to plant a Water Lily correctly is visually shown in the video below:

Reproduction

Reproduction is happening seeds and shoots of the root system.

Strongly overgrown powerful bushes must be divided once every 3-6 years.

Excellent for such reproduction will do root system with a well-developed bud.

The cuts, which are made with a sharp knife, are sprinkled with crushed charcoal.

Aqua negative reacts to dryness. Therefore the bushes necessary transport and place in a new reservoir as quickly as possible. Full rooting at vegetative propagation should happen in 14 days.

Growing from seeds

At reproduction Seeds and planting material are sown in the soil located at the bottom of a decorative pond. The use of small baskets with soil is also allowed.

The containers are immersed in water and lowered to the bottom of the reservoir. When planting material hits the soil, it opens and begins to grow. When fully rooted, the plant begins to reach for the light and reaches 25.-3.0 meters in length.

Under weather conditions in the central part of the Russian Federation, growing water lilies from seeds impossible.

Therefore, this propagation method is used only in botanical gardens or greenhouses, where the air temperature can be monitored.

Fertilizer

Feeding necessary apply in the spring. For this they use purchased soluble fertilizers. They are added to the water next to the plant. When using slow-soluble fertilizers in the form of granules, the frequency of application should be once every 3-4 months.

Benefits and harms

Dry Water Lily drinking for neuroses, severe shocks, insomnia.

She is a calming sedative, as it contains Glycoside Nymphalin.

IN folk medicine her use in neuralgia with brittle bones, rheumatism.

Is antipyretic and analgesic for fevers. Dry leaves of this representative of the flora are used as an external remedy. The leaves have an anti-inflammatory effect. Root system removes skin inflammation, removes rashes, acne, papillomas.

All this happens thanks to essential oil, which is contained in the plant in large quantities. For colds, the root of the flower is used as mustard plasters. A tincture of the rhizome is used against spleen tumors.

The plant contains proteins, starch, the alkaloid nymphein, a number of vitamins and other useful substances.

But people with low blood pressure are not recommended to take Aqua, since the microelements of the plant calm the body and reduce blood pressure even more.

Aqua- aquatic perennial. It is grown in fortified soil of decorative ponds. Loves the sun and fertilizing. Blooms during the growing season from May to September. Possesses gentle floral aroma. Used in medicine as a sedative.

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White water lily, also known as water lily lily is a herbaceous plant that lives in water - lakes, river backwaters, ponds. Its roots are long and thickly branched, they need a weak current. The flower is rightfully considered the most beautiful inhabitant of water. It is listed in the Red Book of many regions as an endangered species.

Legendary plant

The white water lily from the Red Book is truly fabulous, it’s not for nothing that there are many myths and legends about it. In the history of many nations, it is called a talisman that can help against illness, the evil eye, conspiracy, and various evil spirits.

Note! In numerous rituals using the plant, it is not the charming flower that is involved, but the rhizome.

According to an old belief, a traveler who takes the root of this plant with him on the road will be protected from all diseases and evil spirits that may overtake him along the way. Another name is overcoming grass, that is, grass that can overcome everything.

For the ancient Greeks, the water lily was a symbol of beauty and chastity; a wreath of water lily flowers was woven for girls who were getting married. If we turn to Latin, the name of the water lily is nymph, that is, a semi-deity who is part of nature.

Weather by water lily

The water lily accurately predicts the weather! Main signs:

1. If in the middle of the day the flower is completely or partially closed, you should wait for rain.
2. If by 9 o'clock in the morning the flower has not yet bloomed, then by lunchtime it will rain.
3. If the bud opens at 7-8 and closes at 17-18, then you should wait for clear weather.
4. When the lily has not risen from under the water at all, it is better to hurry home, as a long and cold downpour is coming.
5. If in the middle of the day the flower closes and hides under the water, expect bad weather.
6. When the leaves have completely covered the surface of the reservoir, frosts can no longer be expected.

Myth of Nymphea

This legend tells of a young girl who one day got lost in the forest. In her wanderings, she came across a forest lake, which was so beautiful that the girl wanted to stay there forever. She was tired from her journey and fell asleep on the shore. The gods liked this beauty and turned her into a lake nymph. The nymphea fell asleep at the bottom of the lake every night, and at dawn she rose and washed herself in the first rays of the sun. She lured men to her who were drowning in deep but beautiful waters.

And one day a very handsome young guy came to the shore of the lake and the nymph fell in love with him. But he did not succumb to her charms and did not go to the bottom. She waited a long time for her beloved, and it was this wonderful feeling that turned her into a beautiful white water lily, the flower of which can be seen in the photo.

Other memories of the plant

The white lily is often remembered not only in myths and legends, but also in poems and songs. It is with it that the beauty of the water surface is associated. Anyone who has ever seen this plant on the surface of water will certainly understand the admiration for its beauty.

Description of the water lily

The pure white water lily grows only in fresh water bodies. It is fragile in appearance, but its rhizome reaches 3 meters. Distributed throughout almost the entire territory of Europe, in some places it is found in Central Asia. It is successfully used in medicine – both traditional and folk. For this and for its attractive appearance, the water lily has earned universal love.

Roots

They cling tightly to the muddy surface of the reservoir. The root is thick and strong, its color is dark brown. It is creeping and has leaf petioles on the surface. The rhizome is densely filled with air channels, which guarantees the flower's breathing and strengthens the tissue. Due to this system, water lilies are very difficult to pick.

Stems and leaves

The stems are erect, or more precisely, erect, their cross-section is round. Due to its dense structure, the plant does not move when there is a gust of wind. Does not produce additional stems. The roots are located under water, and the stem stretches all the way to the surface of the water. Its color ranges from burgundy-green to light green depending on the age of the plant.

The leaves float on the surface, not attached to the stem. Their color and heart-shaped shape. The diameter is up to 35 cm, the petiole has the same length as the whole plant, it is connected to the rhizome.

Flowers

This is what is considered the most beautiful thing about the water lily. When asked what a white water lily looks like (pictured), almost everyone can describe the flower. It is large and deep white. The peduncles are large, up to 20 cm in diameter. The calyx consists of 4-5 petals, the flower itself has many petals, they are located densely along the contour, stamens.

The water lily blooms and pleases with its flowering only in sunny weather and exclusively in the morning. In the evening, when the sun sets below the horizon, it closes. Flowering can be observed from late June to early September. The aroma of the flower is weak.

Fruit

The flowering of the water lily results in fruits. They are green in color and pitcher-shaped - hence the name. They ripen under water by the end of August - beginning of September.

Beautiful and dangerous

No matter how beautiful the white water lily is, not everyone still knows that it is poisonous. The flower is the most dangerous, followed by the stems and leaves. Although the roots are used for food, they are edible only after heat treatment.

When used externally, there is a risk of allergic reactions in case of individual intolerance.

Important! Children under 2 years of age should not use any preparations based on water lily. In extreme cases, this is possible, but only after consulting a doctor.

Those who work with the plant in bodies of water also need to exercise extreme caution. It is important to remember that some fish cannot tolerate this plant, especially if they are aquarium fish. The danger increases if the stem or flower is damaged. Most cyprinids are insensitive to white water lily.

Contact of children with the stem and flower should be prevented. If this happens, you need to urgently wash your hands with soap and prevent juice from getting into your mouth and eyes. That's why it's beautiful, but poisonous plant do not use to decorate reservoirs in places of children's games and leisure.

White water lily: collecting a plant for treatment

It is undesirable to collect flowers, leaves and rhizomes in the territory where the water lily lives, as this leads to its destruction. The plant population renews itself very slowly. If conditions allow for collection, then this must be done extremely carefully. Some important points:

1. You need to make sure that the target plant is definitely a water lily. If a mistake occurs, then at best the drug will not help, and at worst it will harm your health.
2. Collection should be carried out in places of intensive growth.
3. Leaves and flowers are collected during the flowering period. It is during this period that the green parts have the maximum content of nutrients.
4. The roots are collected from flowering until the end of autumn, while they can be reached.
5. The parts of the water lily are laid out in a thin layer, the rhizomes are pre-washed and cut into thin slices and dried. The drying temperature should not exceed +60 °C. Dried leaves, flowers and roots can be stored for 2 years.

Conclusion

The beauty and benefits of the white water lily are simply amazing. But you need to act carefully with her; it’s not for nothing that she is associated with forest nymphs, who, according to legend, destroyed people with their beauty.

The water lily, also known as the nymph, became known thanks to one of the ancient Greek legends, according to which an unrequited nymph in love disappeared forever in the depths of the sea, turning into a flower. For a long time, the water lily has been associated with the mystical inhabitants of the underwater world.

Many ancient Greek drawings, sculptures and carvings that have survived to this day testify to the beauty and reverence of this amazing plant, with which it was customary to decorate one’s home, to perpetuate the image of a flower in sculpture and to paint ancient temples with images of water lilies. The water lily or white lotus was immortalized in the whole complex of Egyptian buildings near the Temple of Amun.

Water lily, plant description

Blooming water lilies exude a pleasant, lasting aroma.

The root system is shallow and well developed. It has one main stem and several additional ones. The diameter of the flowers ranges from 12 to 20 cm. The leaves are fleshy, bright green, and reach about 25 cm in size.

One of the very first and famous species. Another species is called the Egyptian lotus or Egyptian lily. The blue water lily inhabited the coastal zone of the Nile River, then began to spread throughout Africa, India and Thailand. The foliage of the plant is sinewy, large, about 35 cm long. Flowers with such large foliage seem small, reaching a size of 16-20 cm. The shade of the petals varies, from sky blue to cornflower blue, lilac and blue.

Tiger water lily

It is distinguished by large dark green leaves, uneven tiger color.

The distinctiveness of the tiger water lily is created by the pattern of the leaves (brown and red spots). It is seasonal, does not tolerate frost well, and is suitable for growing in aquariums. Africa is considered the birthplace of the tiger nymph. The flowers are small, white or cream in color. The root system is well developed and does not tolerate fast currents and cold water bodies.

Water lily Victoria Regia or Amazonian nymphea

Another species of impressive size. The Victoria water lily was discovered by the German botanist and naturalist Eduard Pelling in the 19th century. The Amazonian water lily blooms only once a year, blooming only at night, and sinks under the water before dark.

The shade is perhaps the most large flower changes during flowering from white to pink. When in full bloom, the Amazonian water lily can reach 35 cm. Victoria Regia has a persistent, noticeable aroma, and its foliage can support the weight of a teenager.

Yellow water lily is a perennial, with a well-developed root system lying deep in the ground. It has underwater small foliage with jagged edges, on short petioles.

The above-water floating leaves are ovoid, large, up to 20 cm in diameter. The flowers are large, green on the outside and yellow on the inside. They reach a size of about 17 cm. Flowering occurs in June and lasts almost until September.

water lily

Water nymph, from the water lily family. Botanically, it is similar to the white water lily; it has medium-sized floating foliage and small underwater leaves. The flowers are emergent, reach medium size, have a cream color and a bright yellow center. water lily used in pharmacology, and starch is obtained from the roots.

The most popular varieties of water lilies among flower growers were recognized as:

Alba (large, snow-white flowers), Gold Medal (yellow flowers with a large core), James Brydon variety (very beautiful variety with large, fluffy, burgundy corollas), Blue Beauty (has memorable blue flowers with a yellow core), Rosea ( pink flowers, with a bright purple cup).

Growing water lilies

To ensure that the process of growing water lilies does not cause unnecessary trouble, take the choice of planting material seriously. It’s not for nothing that they say: “The miser pays twice.” Buy planting material in specialized stores or borrow from trusted gardeners.

Warm summer months are considered a suitable period for planting water lilies. The plant can be immediately planted on the bottom of the reservoir, but it is worth considering that water lilies are terrified of frost and cold, so looking ahead, you should take this fact into account and plant the plant in a deep container, and only then install it on the bottom of the reservoir, this will make it easier to remove the flower and send for the winter.

You can get a planting substrate for water lilies in the store by purchasing ready-made soil for water lilies, or you can prepare it yourself. The optimal composition can be considered a layer of peat of 4 cm and 10 cm of turf soil with sand in equal parts.

During planting, make sure that the growth bud is on the surface of the pot; stick feeding balls made of clay mixed with mineral fertilizers onto the roots of the water lily.

3-4 pieces the size of a paintball ball will be enough. Afterwards, the rhizome is placed in a pot on a layer of peat and covered with prepared soil mixture on top, leaving room for a layer of river pebbles to weigh it down.

Immediately after planting the water lily, the plant must be placed at the bottom of the reservoir; the optimal depth for immersing the pot is usually calculated based on the varietal data of the plant. Dwarf varieties are placed at a depth of half a meter, tall ones from a meter or more; the growth bud of a water lily will serve as a guide for you.

In order for the water lily to develop faster, it is better to place it in shallow water before the first leaves appear. When the first two floating leaves appear, the pot with the plant is deepened.

Plants planted on time will bloom in your first year of growing season, and some varieties will delight you with even several blooms.

When planting, pay close attention to the cold resistance of the variety you choose. Some types of water lilies can survive mild winters without additional shelter, for example, water lily or snow-white water lily. Most often, high survival rates of water lilies are observed only in tall varieties whose rhizomes lie deep under water.

But if in your region the winter is long and harsh. For the winter, water lilies should be removed from the reservoir and sent to a dark, cool place, and with the onset of spring, after the ice has melted, returned to the reservoir.

Caring for water lilies in the garden

Nymphea is an unpretentious plant and caring for it will not be difficult. In their usual wild environment, water lilies grow without care, multiplying and blooming on time. However, do not allow the water lily to cover the surface of the water with its leaves; this may lead to the flowers becoming smaller.

Dead flowers and yellowed foliage should be removed from the pond to prevent the water from “blooming.” In order for the plant to produce more flowers, do not leave the water lily more than two floating leaves.

Make sure that the plant has enough space in your pond; do not plant too many nymphs in small reservoirs.

Small artificial reservoirs with standing water are subject to periodic cleaning. After removing the water lily for the winter, the reservoir should be drained and cleaned of dirt and debris, and with the arrival of spring, fill it with fresh, clean water, let it sit for about a week and begin planting the water lily again. A week before planting, the water lily should be watered with mineral fertilizers.

Diseases and pests of water lilies

The water lily is not susceptible to disease and is extremely rarely attacked by insects. The plant has a fairly strong immune system.

However, in the hot months, stagnant bodies of water are often inhabited by the pitcher leaf beetle, a small brown beetle whose larvae devour floating leaves.

The method of dealing with it is simple: damaged foliage is removed, and the larvae will have to be collected manually, since most of insecticides are dangerous for water bodies, causing poisoning and death of living creatures.

Another enemy of the “queen of ponds” can be called aphids. Small insects spoil the appearance of the flower and cause premature flowering of the plant. The fight against aphids involves only a mechanical method, for example, washing off harmful insects stream of water. Attracting entomophages to a pond can also be a life-saving option in pest control.

The main problem with the extinction of water lilies today remains not pests and diseases, but the constantly deteriorating ecology and human interference in the population of the plant species.

The drainage of water bodies and the collection of water lilies on an industrial scale led to the catastrophic extinction of this amazing and beautiful plant. Some species of nymphs are already included in the Red Book, and if “man” does not come to his senses, we may completely lose one of the most beautiful flowers on Earth.