How to Plant Water Lilies 
o ¢ 
THEIR CULTURE, GROWTH AND CARE OF POOLS 
HE culture of water lilies {s very simple and there are no 
stumbling blocks such as one often runs into in caring for 
many garden plants. Since they grow in water they do not need 
daily attention to watering. In hot, dry weather they will not 
burn up nor will they drown out in prolonged, cold rains. 
Most aquatics are gross feeders and ap- 
preciate a rich soil. They will grow well in 
any type of soil if enriched either with 
Johnson’s Water Lily Fertilizer or with cow 
or stable manure. In poor soils they can- 
net make the lush, green growth you have 
a right to expect. Thus unless your soil 
is exceptionally rich we advise some form 
ef fertilizer. Do not use too much but fol- 
low instructions below. 
Remember that aquatics thrive best 
where they receive at least a reasonable 
amount of sunlight. Shady water is very 
cold. 
CARE OF THE NEW POOL 
There are two different ways to prepare 
your pool for planting. The simplest and 
most convenient way is to plant in boxes 
filled with earth. This makes it much more 
practical to thoroughly clean the pool in 
spring and helps greatly to keep the growth 
of plants in check. 
In very small pools or where they are 
too shallow, i.e., less than 12 inches, it is 
sometimes best to cover the bottom with 
soil, allowing for from 6 to 12 inches of 
water. However, unless the plants are 
watched, the stronger kinds are liable to 
smother out the less vigorous. There is 
much to be said for both methods, but the 
pene experienced growers seem to prefer 
oxes. 
After the soil or boxes are in we have 
found it stimulating to plant growth to 
drain the pool in about 10 days and fill 
with fresh water. To prevent the plants 
being injured by drying while draining 
they may be protected by wet rags or 
newspapers. 
BOX CONSTRUCTION. Boxes should be 
at least 15 inches square and, if pool is 
deep enough, 12 inches in depth. Larger 
bexes up to 2 or 3 feet square will give 
you prize winning blossoms. Make them of 
pine wood and they will last 20 years. 
Never use redwood! 
SOIL. The best soil is a good garden 
loam such as roses do well in. A clay or 
heavy loam is better than a sandy one as it 
has enough fertility to carry the plants 
through a vigorous season’s growth. Lilies, 
however, are not particular and we have 
grown shew specimens in every type of soil. 
—I5 "te 30"—> 
FERTILIZERS. Cow manure is very good 
used at the rate of one shovelful to four 
of soil. Used thus it does not need to be 
decayed. Mix well and pack moderately 
firm in the boxes. Stable manure may be 
used as above. Chicken and rabbit manure 
must be used with great care and in small 
amounts, as they are much given te burn- 
ing the roots. We suggest as the simplest 
and most satisfactory fertilizer that John- 
son's Water Lily Fertilizer be used. It is 
especially prepared, very economical, and 
gives splendid results. See below for prices. 
Where cow or other animal fertilizers 
are used we suggest draining and refilling 
as described under ‘“‘Care of New Pools.” 
may warm the water. 

Use Johnson's Water Lily Fertilizer 
The result of years of experience this excellent aqua- 
tic plant food is compounded on our own formula. 
Splendid, too, for all kinds of flowers and pot plants! 
Feed all plants as per instructions on label. Very eco- 
nomical, for it is 3 times as concentrated as ordinary 
chemical fertilizers. Mix % I\b. or 1 cupful to each 
bushel of soil for water lilies. 
These prices are prepaid to your door! 
Sth; age ce: § .75 S Ib. bag.................. $1.50 
3 tb. bag.................. 1.00 10 Ib. bag...............2.. 2.75 


The Kinds of Water Lily Roots 
This drawing explains the three main 
kinds of Water Lily rhizomes or ‘‘roots.’’ 
Note particularly how you should plant 
them in the soil—upright or horizontal! 
Fig. 4. A pot grown Tropical Lily. 
Fig. 2. The rhizome of all Hardy Lilies. 
Fig. 3. The tuber of our Star Lilies. 

PLANTING THE NEW LILY 
When preparing the soil for planting do 
not lay the plants in the sun but keep them 
wrapped or place in a pail of water. After 
the boxes are ready you may plant before 
turning the water in if you cover them with 
wet newspapers. Perhaps the safest way 
is to delay planting until the water rises 
above the boxes, We generally fill the pool Z 2 
several days before planting so the sun sults. More detailed instructions are given 
PLANTING AND CARE OF TROPICAL LILIES 
Tropical Lilies are especially at home in America. Our warm 
spring and summer weather and warm nights induce a luxuriant 
growth hardly equaled in their native lands. Don’t be in too 
great a hurry to plant them in spring—not till warm, settled wea- 
ther is assured. Our Blue Triumph and Blue 
Beauty are particularly hardy and may be 
planted somewhat earlier. 
In planting simply scoop out a hole, then 
settle the seil about the roots. As the 
plants mature we keep the old and yellowed 
leaves picked off which greatly accelerates 
their flowering. Two or three times during 
the summer we give our plants one or two 
tablespoons of fertilizer. Apply by wrapping 
in cloth and shoving in the mud a foot or 
so from the plants. Do not give too much 
or the roots may be burned. Such treatment 
will keep them flowering till heavy frost. 
STAR LILIES AND HOW TO PLANT THEM 
These charming tropical lilies form hard 
tubers in the fall and thus winter easily if 
kept in. damp sand in a frost-free place. 
See figure 8 at left. Plant them out in 
May. They may be started in a pail of 
water without soil in a warm window. 
After they have sprouted well they grow 
amazingly fast and bloom almost at once. 
NIGHT BLOOMING TROPICAL LILIES 
These startlingly beautiful lilies are na- 
tives of India and Africa. They luxuriate 
during our warm summers and when estab- 
lished bloom most freely and are hardy, 
vigorous plants. Generally speaking, they 
flower somewhat later than day blooming 
varieties, but continue flowering until late 
frosts. Do not crowd them and they will 
give you a truly gorgeous display. Feed 
them well during the summer. 
HARDY WATER LILIES 
These are the most widely known lilies 
and are quite different from all the other 
kinds. They have a creeping rhizome, as in 
figure 2 above, and must be planted as 
pictured—horizontally. Do not plant them 
upright. If the leaves are submerged when 
planting they will quickly grow to the sur- 
face. Barely cover the ‘root’ with soil 
and if it is inclined to float place a brick 
over it. Many plants will be in flower 
within 3 or 4 weeks! They enjoy summer 
fertilizings and having the older yellowed 
leaves picked off. 
LoTUS 
While these are perfectly winter hardy 
_yet they come from the tropics of India 
and China. The rhizomes are easily broken 
and must be handled with great care. They 
look very like a banana. Scoop out the 
soil and gently cover, leaving the growing 
tip just exposed. Give them plenty of room 
—a 2 foot box is none too large. 
SHALLOW WATER AND BOG PLANTS 
These varied plants grow in water from 
2 to 12 inches deep. Give them rich soil 
and several summer feedings for best re- 
with the plants. 
WINTER CARE OF AQUATICS AND POOLS 
Hardy Water Lilies, perhaps with the best results, may be left 
undisturbed if the pool can be boarded over or otherwise pro- 
tected from too deep freezing. Generally the boards will give ample 
protection if covered over with a heavy thickness of leaves or 
straw with a layer of soil over all. The parents of the Hardy 
varieties come from the temperate zone, some growing as far north 
as Finland, so they are amply hardy if ice does not freeze solidly 
about them. 
In very cold climates some advocate taking the boxes in which 
the lilies grow into the basement away from frost, being sure to 
keep them wet all winter. Keep a sharp eye out for mice. Others 
prefer to dig a deep trench and bury the boxes below the frost 
line. All these methods are extensively used. Boarding the pool 
over, however, prevents ice damage to the pool and thus serves 
a dual purpose. 
Of the Tropical Lilies only the Star Lilies can be wintered with- 
out a warm greenhouse pool. eee 
ees 
