Victoria Waterlilies from Seed

towergrovepark · Nov 9, 2006

I work at TowerGrove Park in St. Louis Missouri. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to store and then propagate seed from Victora waterlilies? They seem pretty tuff, but I'm not sure if I'm storing them correctly. Let me know. Also if anyone has any hints on storing tropical water lily tubers, I'm all ears.
Thanks

Newt · Nov 16, 2006

I'm a bit confused here as to what info you are looking for as you mention seeds and then tubers. Maybe you want info on both?

From this site about seeds:
http://www.iamshaman.com/lotus/cultivation.htm

Water Lilies may also be increased by sowing seeds. When a Water Lily blossom has been fertilized, the flower will retreat beneath the water's surface in a coiling spiral after the normal blooming period of 3 or 4 days. Unfertilized flowers will just float downward in the water, their stems remaining straight. Seeds can be collected by placing muslin bags over the blossom as the seeds ripen or by gathering a fertilized pod about 10 days after its submersion to allow it to ripen in a container of distilled water. Once the seeds are released from their pods, they may be planted. If you plant fresh seeds, don't remove the gelatin coating. Shallow seed pans or margarine tubs can be filled with good garden soil. Spread the jellied seeds or individual seeds evenly over the surface of the soil and lightly sprinkle sand to cover them; they are then gently watered. Place the containers in an aquarium or bowl of water with no more than 2 or 3 inches of water covering the soil's surface. They need to be set in a warm, well-lighted spot. Strong, direct light, however, can damage or kill your little plants. After a few weeks, the first baby plants will sprout. Once the first leaves reach the surface of the water, the plants may be picked out in clumps, carefully washed clean of soil and pulled apart from each other with toothpicks. Plant them separately in small pots or margarine tubs with the soil used above and cover them with 2 to 4 inches of water over the soil's surface. Bone meal and aquatic plant fertilizer should be incorporated in the bottom half of the container; monthly feedings aren't necessary. It will probably take 6 months for the plants to grow large enough to plant outdoors. As the seedlings grow, check for growth of algae, which can quickly kill them. Carefully pick away the algae by twirling it around a toothpick. If algicide, even a diluted amount, is applied, it may kill the tender plants.
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There is also tuber and planting info for both tropical and hardy water lilies.

This site discusses storing the tubers.
http://www.victoria-adventure.org/waterlilies/walter_tubering_tropicals.html

Newt

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Victoria Waterlilies from Seed

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Victoria Waterlilies from Seed

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