Frequently Asked Questions What are the best conditions for growing waterplants? TOP
Most waterlilies and waterplants require at least 4 hours of good sunlight each day.
Waterlilies generally need a depth of 20cm or more above the plants crown, 15cm or more for miniatures. Other water plants can vary from growing completely submerged to just damp soil. What is the difference between "Hardy" and "Tropical" lilies? TOP
The terms "hardy" or "temperate" and "tropical" are used to differentiate between the two main water lily groups. Tropical lilies, simply, originated in the tropics and temperate or hardy lilies in temperate areas. However, both tropical and temperate lilies are easily grown in most temperate and subtropical areas of Australia.
There are a few distinguishing features of the two groups to note-
Hardy/Temperate- The flower of these lilies typically sits on the water. The flowering of these lilies is responsive to hours of sunlight, and harsh hot sun and wind can often burn the flowers of the more sensitive hardies, particularly the dark red colours. A cold winter often helps them flower better. Flower colours range from whites through yellows, shell pinks, peaches and reds.
Tropical- Tropicals normally hold their flower on a stem up above the water surface. Flowering is determined by water temperature more than hours of sunlight and they will often flower later and longer than temperates. Flower colours range from whites through yellows, hot pinks, purples and blues. Night flowering lilies are also tropical. How do I keep my lilies flowering? TOP
Waterlilies and Lotus are very heavy feeders, they like to have a lot of nutrient in the soil. Waterlilies should be repotted or at least fed at the beginning of their growing period in spring. Instructions for feeding and repotting waterplants are sent with all mail orders.
Lotus benefit from feeding every few weeks during their growing period.
Good fertilisers for waterplants include poultry pellets, "blood and bone" and slow release fertilisers. How much sun do waterlilies need to grow? TOP
Generally waterlilies require a great deal of sun, the more the better. They generally need at least 6-8 hours a day direct sun light in summer in order to properly grow and flower. One of the first symptoms of stress related to lack of sunlight is that the lily will flower very little or not at all.
My pond is green what can I do? They said the Algecide wouldn't affect the plants but they all died! TOP
We hear this all too often. Although suppliers state that algecide will not affect water plants every case we have heard of its use has either killed or badly set back the plants. This is most probably due to incorrect application of the algecide but it is best to avoid using algecide in any pond that contains lilies and plants.
The main reason for green water is algae caused by excess nutrient in the water and warm temperatures. It may be because of fertiliser in the plants pot that has seeped out and there was too much for the plant. Waterlilies need to be fertilised to flower well, and so minor algal blooms are almost unavoidable.
However you can reduce algae in your water by growing submerged oxygenating plants, and growing plants that cover the water surface (water lilies and other anchored plants). Ideally at least 50% of the water surface should be covered. Also patience is often rewarded and ponds often reach their own natural balance in time. My plants are dying... why? TOP
Water plants and lilies are relatively hardy plants and not likely to die unless under extreme conditions. Often people get worried when their water lily begins to die back at the beginning of winter, but this is quite natural in cooler areas. Temperate waterlilies loose their leaves as they become dormant but retain small "lettucy" leaves under the water near the plants crown and tropical lilies die back to just the tuba. Some tropicals may not come back after particularly harsh winters. Lilies begin to grow again at the beginning of spring. What is the plants "crown" that you mention? TOP
The crown of the water lily plant is the base where the stems and leaves grow from at the soil level. My plants are being chewed on or dug up? What is doing this? TOP
There are a few species of pond life that can be extremely detrimental to the health of your plants and lilies. Koi carp, while very beautiful, are quite destructive and will dig up plants and muddy the water. If you intend on keeping both plants and Koi Carp, you will need to take precautions to keep your plants safe. Yabbies (freshwater crayfish) are also damaging to plants and muddy the water. They can travel overland and could make their way to your pond without being released there. Yabbies can snip the stems of lilies and cause other damage to the plants by burrowing. Once yabbies become established it is difficult to remove them but their numbers can be kept down by trapping.
Common goldfish and particularly Comets have been reported to cause damage to plants, but in a balanced pond where they receive enough food they should not be a problem. Water snails are eating the leaves of my plants, what can I do about them? TOP
There are water snail killing chemicals available from aquarium stores which if used according to instructions will control or eradicate snails in a pond. However there are other methods of reduction which are more pond friendly. Snails are often visable around the pond surface and can be scooped out with a net, or leave a lettuce leaf in the pond over night which will attract the snails, then simply take out the leaf and snails together. Having large goldfish in your pond will also keep the snails to a managable level. Do you have a catalogue you can send me? TOP
This website is our only current pictorial catalogue. I am not from Australia, will you send me this plant? TOP
We do not send retail orders overseas, and we only send wholesale orders on a case by case basis as often quarantine regulations need to be researched and met, and these costs can be considerable. Why are plants listed as 'Out Of Stock'? TOP
If a plant is listed as out of stock on our web site it could be for a number of reasons.
The first is simply that it is out of season. For instance waterlillies and lotus are fragile during their Winter dormancy and therefore not available for mail order during Winter. Lotus also grow too large during late Summer and are mostly only available for mail order during late Spring and early Summer.
Alternately we could simply have sold out of stock and have removed the item until we have sufficient numbers to make it available again.
In either case a plant listed as out of stock on the web site MAY still be available for retail pick up at our nursery since the safe growing season of lillies is somewhat extended if they don't have to be stripped and bare rooted for mail order and we continue to sell lotus for pick up after they have grown too large for sending in the post.
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