VAN NESS WATER GARDENS, Upland, California 


Culture of Water Lilies 
Water lilies are among the easiest flowers to grow. About 
the only attention they need after planting is to which the 
water level and break off dead leaves. No constant water- 
ing to think of, or worry about when planning a vacation. 
Just leave a drip in your pool and go away for a month, 
knowing that when you return you will find everything in 
perfect condition. 
SOIL AND FERTILIZER. Any good garden soil will 
do for Water lilies. The best fertilizer is WELL ROTTED 
DAIRY. Be sure it is well rotted or it will ferment and 
rot the lily pads and muddy the pool. 
Should you be unable to obtain well rotted manure, we 
can furnish a very satisfactory fertilizer, very concentrated 
so that % pound is sufficient for one lily box, or in spread- 
ing over entire pool % pound is sufficient for each wheel- 
barrow of soil. When using dairy fertilizer, place on bottom 
of pool or box to depth of 4 inches, then cover with 6 or 
8 inches of soil according to depth of pool. Cover with 1 
inch of clean sand. 
In large pool, if desiring to plant in boxes, the boxes 
should be 2 x 2 feet square and 1 foot deep if possible. Lilies 
will grow with 4 inches of water over crown, but do better 
with at least 8 inches. Do not use red-wood as the acid is not 
good for the fish. Use pine which will last for years in water. 
PLANTING. Hardy lilies should be planted HORI- 
ZONTALLY and with the crown well out of the soil. Trop- 
ical lilies should be planted upright and at the same depth 
as before being shipped as growing plants. Be careful that 
leaves of Tropicals do not become dry or they may not re- 
cover. See illustration for planting on page 14. 
LOTUS tubers should be planted HORIZONTALLY, 
care being taken to not break the crown off. A space should 
be bricked off for Lotus, as they crowd other plants out if 
allowed to grow freely in pool. 
In wild planting, to fill the pool for the first time, it is 
best to sprinkle the soil with a fine spray from the hose 
after lilies are set, then lay burlap sack down and place 
hose in this and fill very slowly; this does not disturb the 
planting and you will have a clear pool. 
A pool 4 x 6 feet will accommodate 3 or 4 lilies and sev- 
eral water plants. When receiving water plants do not 
allow them to become dry before planting: place in tub of 
water or cover with a wet sack until planted. 
Do not plant Tropic lilies in fresh water. Fill pool a few 
days before planting and allow water to become warm. 
PLANTING TIME. Hardy lilies may be planted at any 
time in mild climates. In California they begin to grow 
early in January and we can ship at any time suited to your 
locality and you should be the judge as to when you should 
have them started growing. Tropical lilies should not be 
planted until an average temperature of 70° is maintained. 
Early planting only leads to disappointment. A good time 
to plant is after June lst in all except the Southern States, 
where they may safely be planted around May Ist. 
WINTER CARE. Hardy lilies may safely be wintered 
over in the pool, provided the roots do not freeze. In ex- 
treme cold climates cover with boards and give an extra 
covering of straw. Should it seem advisable to lift the lilies 
before cold weather arrives, they may be stored in a cool 
cellar, being careful that they do not dry out, as dry rot 
will be sure to attack them and they will be lost. 
SPRING CLEANING. Early in the spring, before the 
lilies begin to grow, all debris should be cleaned out of the 
pool. It is not necessary to remove the soil or drain the 
pool oftener than once in two years. 
All cleaning and re-planting should be done early in the 
spring or fishspawn will be destroyed. 
INSECT ENEMIES. Water lilies are practically free 
from pests, Aphis being the most troublesome. This may be 
controled by spraying with the hose early in the morning, 
then the fish will eat them. The main thing is to begin 
spraying at the first sign of Aphis. 
MUDDY POOLS. The water in a new pool often be- 
comes discolored. This will clear up in a short time if a 
quantity of oxygenating plants are used, such as Anacharis, 
Myriophyllum and Parrots-feather. Place a hose or drip in 
the pool which will help to overcome this condition. Do not 
change the water, as that will not help. Have a good supply 
of snails in pool to help clean up Algae and keep the water 
pure. 
MOSQUITOS: There will be no trouble with mosquitos 
if you have a dozen fish for each 6 feet of pool. They very 
effectively keep out mosquito larvae. 

Part of a group of five Tub Gardens, combined with Rock Garden, planted with 
Tropical Lilies and Succulents. 
Three 
