Tropical Lily in Cold Locations Question

[pecan]

Last year I tried my first tropical water lily. In the fall I pulled it out and stored it. The root is in good shape and still firm. Now I am wondering when I should put it back in the water?

Is there a minimum water temp I should wait for, before putting it back in the pond? 50 degrees? 60 degrees? 70 degrees? Just not sure when it is ok to re-plant it.

 

[addy1]

When I had them I waited until the water was 65 then planted them shallow full sun, to be as warm as possible.

 

[pecan]

When I had them I waited until the water was 65 then planted them shallow full sun, to be as warm as possible.

Thanks Addy! I was thinking about starting it in the little pond/bog (against the south facing wall of the house) because it is always much warmer than the big pond. Ill wait until the water warms to about 65.

 

[addy1]

I gave up on them after keeping them alive all winter, then summer was wet and cool they never did anything, except a few leaves. Then died the next winter.

 

[pecan]

I gave up on them after keeping them alive all winter, then summer was wet and cool they never did anything, except a few leaves. Then died the next winter.

I had mine in the big pond last year and my koi who leave my hardy water lilies alone destroyed the leaves. I am going to try it in the small pond this year, that only has a few little shubunkins in it and see how it does. If it struggles I am done with it. But I think the small pond may work well since its so hot and sunny with no fat koi to mess with it.

But I do worry that our "hot/sunny" season may just be too short.

 

[addy1]

A friend grows tropicals. Georgia. She says they last longer in the fall then hardies, but slower to grow in the spring. Her pond ices over once in awhile with a very thin layer of ice.

 

[mrsclem]

I still have one of the tropical I got from Addys friend. I kept it in a fish tank in the basement and it is doing great. Water temps of 50 or below have killed off all my other ones.
On a good note- the Turtle Island Trio hubby got me last year survived the winter in the pond and are sending up leaves.http://turtleislandwaterlilies.com/shop/2015-collectors-hxt-trio/
So glad as there is no money back guarantee!!

 

[addy1]

I have not looked to see if my purple fantasy made it. Hope so darn pricey. Glad you trio made it mrsclem

 

[mrsclem]

Suddenly there are bits & pieces of leaves in my pond, chewed up lily leaves! Fishes got their first fish food for the season.