My First Water Lily !

[RichGuess]

I began to wonder if there was enough sunlight to give me a Lily.. Then, last week I saw a bud approaching the surface, but it seemed to take forever to break the surface.. Then once it cleared the surface, it just sat there.. But yesterday it finally bloomed ! My pond’s first Lily…. The pond is under my patio cover, with 80% shade cloth, and grow lights..

Rich…

 

[Tula]

Beautiful !

 

[dinm]

I began to wonder if there was enough sunlight to give me a Lily.. Then, last week I saw a bud approaching the surface, but it seemed to take forever to break the surface.. Then once it cleared the surface, it just sat there.. But yesterday it finally bloomed ! My pond’s first Lily…. The pond is under my patio cover, with 80% shade cloth, and grow lights..

Rich…

I've been very lucky as well this year. In shade I was surprised it bloomed, same flower as yours. Didn't get a chance to smell it though.

 

[addy1]

Love lilies, smell good, and pretty.

 

[RichGuess]

Well, now I’m pretty sad.. Is it normal for the flowers to only last a couple of days ? The first flower committed suicide after 2 days. At first the flower was several inches above the water, and over night it sank back into the water, but rose up again the next morning. The next day, a second flower broke water, but the first one couldn’t make it back up. I propped it up, but it wasn’t to be.. Second flower popped up, and lasted two days, and couldn’t make it any longer. Same thing, it just couldn’t stand up again.. The plants are very healthy, and the stems supporting the flowers are about 3\8” dia, so it’s not too much weight on a skinny stem.. Third flower is breaking the surface this morning, hope the outcome is better.. what could cause this ? It’s been really hot for the last 10+ days…. Air temp has been in the 105 -112 degree range, but water is only 78-80.

Rich…

 

[BKHpondcritters]

Yup! That's normal. Two, three days, tops.

 

[RichGuess]

Now, I’m even sadder…. Such a big flower should last a week or so… what is nature thinking…

 

[GBBUDD]

105 -112

good lord !!!!!!!!!!!!! and your wondering why a delicate water flower is not lasting for more than a couple days. i wouldn't last a couple hours.

 

[Lisak1]

There are lilies that are known for longer lasting flowers, but they tend to be tropical... which may work for you @combatwombat with those temps!