Moving water lilies often involves carefully repotting them into a new basket or pot, ensuring the optimal conditions for their continued growth and health, especially when dividing an overgrown plant or relocating it.
Repotting is a crucial aspect of water lily care, allowing you to manage their size, propagate new plants, or simply move them to a different part of your pond or a new aquatic feature. The process focuses on providing the plant with fresh growing medium and adequate space.
Why Repot Water Lilies?
Water lilies thrive when their roots have space and nutrients. Over time, they can become root-bound in their containers or simply outgrow their designated space. Repotting allows for:
- Division: Splitting an overgrown rhizome into multiple new plants.
- Nutrient Renewal: Providing fresh, nutrient-rich aquatic soil.
- Size Management: Moving plants to larger or smaller pots as needed.
- Relocation: Physically moving the plant to a new pond or area.
Essential Materials for Repotting
Before you begin, gather the necessary items to ensure a smooth repotting process:
| Material | Purpose |
|---|---|
| New Basket or Pot | For the water lily's new home. |
| Hessian | To line the pot, preventing soil loss. |
| Specialist Aquatic Soil | Provides proper nutrients and density for water lilies. |
| Water Lily Plant | The existing plant to be moved or divided. |
Step-by-Step Guide to Repotting Water Lilies
The initial steps for preparing your water lily for its new home are critical for its success. These steps focus on setting up the new container correctly.
1. Preparing Your New Pot with Hessian
The first step in repotting is to prepare the new container to hold the aquatic soil effectively while allowing water to circulate.
- Line the Pot: Line the bottom and sides of the new basket or pot with hessian. This natural, breathable fabric acts as a barrier, preventing the specialist aquatic soil from washing out of the basket's openings into the pond water, which can make the water cloudy.
2. Planting the Water Lily in Aquatic Soil
Once the pot is lined, the next step involves introducing the growing medium and the water lily itself.
- Add Soil: Put a shallow layer of specialist aquatic soil over the hessian. This soil is specifically formulated to be heavy enough to stay submerged and provides the necessary nutrients without contaminating the pond water.
- Position the Plant: Carefully place the new plant into the middle of the pot. Ensure the rhizome (the thick, fleshy stem from which the roots and leaves grow) is positioned correctly, typically horizontally for hardy water lilies and vertically for tropical ones, though specific guidance depends on the lily type.
Further steps for diving and complete repotting, including post-planting care, can be explored through detailed gardening resources. For more information on dividing water lilies, you can refer to resources like those found at BBC Gardening Basics.
