Both leaves and flowers of water lilies are a special ornament in the pond. To prevent the swamp plants from floating to the surface, they must be planted. This should ideally be done without potting soil, as this affects, among other things, the quality of the water and thus the lives of other aquatic inhabitants.
How do you plant water lilies without soil?
To plant water lilies without soil, use a pond plant basket and a mineral substrate such as low-lime gravel (2-5 mm) or clay granules. Plant the water lily in 2/3 substrate, cover it lightly and gradually lower the basket to the correct water depth.
Practical planting in the plant basket
Water lilies are not planted in the bottom of the pond, but in special pond plant baskets. They find support there and also remain mobile at all times. This means you can easily lower it to the optimal water depth and remove it from the pond again if necessary.
Caring for the water lily is also easier because it can simply be taken out of the water for repotting and cutting.
Tip
Choose the plant basket to suit the type of water lily or the size of the plant. Also ask about the optimal water depth, as this varies from variety to variety.
It doesn't work without substrate
So that the water lily is properly anchored in the plant basket, you cannot completely do without a substrate. However, it must be such that it does not have the disadvantages of fine earth. It must be purely mineral, without any organic components. Gravel and gravel are suitable as long as it is a low-limestone type of stone, such as granite. Clay granules are also suitable and can even store oxygen.
Use ideal gravel size
Special water lily substrate is available commercially. But you can also mix the water lily substrate yourself. The gravel grain size must not be too fine.
- from 2 mm
- up to max. 5 mm
- if applicable. Use larger stones to weigh down
Planting water lilies
Fill 2/3 of the plant basket with substrate. Lay water lilies with rhizomes flat on top. Plant all other water lilies vertically. Fill the rest of the pot with substrate. The eyes and shoots of the water lily must still protrude from the substrate. If necessary, you can also weigh down the water lily with a few larger stones.
Tip
Water lilies without a pronounced rhizome find better support and take root more quickly if a little clay soil is added to the substrate.
Lower the plant basket gradually
A basket that has just been planted with water lilies should not be placed in its final location immediately. Instead, it should be gradually lowered lower as growth progresses. This means that leaf formation requires less energy.
