GROWING THE GIANT VICTORIAS 153 



The seed of the Victoria takes much longer 

 to ripen than does that of nymphaeas. For 

 this reason the flower which is to produce it 

 must be selected early in the season. Since 

 those first to appear are not always well 

 formed, it is best not to use them but to 

 wait for, say the fourth flower. Always 

 select a good-sized and perfectly developed 

 blossom for this purpose. On the morning 

 of the third day after opening, surround it 

 with a muslin bag to prevent the possible loss 

 of seed. After this, do not allow other seed 

 pods to develop, for a time at least, cutting 

 all blossoms after their beauty has faded. 

 After about two weeks it will be safe to allow 

 another blossom to perfect a seed pod. The 

 seed will be ripe enough for gathering in ten, 

 or better twelve weeks, after the flower has 

 disappeared under the water and when the 

 flower-stalk begins to decay. But no harm 

 will be done by deferring the harvesting until 

 fall, at the time of the removal of the entire 

 plant for the winter clearance. 



