Converting nursery pots into water gardens?

[Joshaeus]

Hi everyone! I am planning on trying to create intersubgeneric water lily hybrids next year and was going to start each seed in a 2 gallon bucket, but to really see if my creations are worth reproducing they will need to go in larger containers from the second year onward. Ten pots large enough to keep a water lily happy are expensive, so I'm trying to assess my options...

So far my best idea is to buy a bunch of nursery pots (maybe '10 gallon'? 16 inch diameter, 15 inch height...actually about 7 gallons in liquid volume) and then cover the drainage holes with flex seal or pond liner. Would this work properly? And if I went the pond liner route, how would I attach the pond liner to the nursery pot? Thanks

 

[Lisak1]

Why don't you just buy pots made for lotuses? These cost between $10 and $15 and have no drain hole. They're extremely durable - we have one at the top of a small waterfall that we use as a planter for annuals every year - it's been there 8 years and is still in perfect condition.

 

[Joshaeus]

Actually, that would be an excellent idea...I will look into those. Thanks

 

[Lisak1]

No problem! They come in a few different sizes. I have big ones in the pond with my lilies in them. They get heavy, but they are big enough that I only have to divide every other year.

 

[Nevermore44]

Look into cement mixing tubs at hardware store.... or restaurant bussing tubs. Could be a cheaper route.

 

[ourlimet]

That's a good idea. Have you started the project?

 

[Joshaeus]

That's a good idea. Have you started the project?

No...I got a couple discounted resin pots when they went on discount near the end of the summer. Thanks for your interest, though

 

[sissy]

dollar tree sells oil pan tubs ,that is what I use for my lilies