VAN NESS WATER GARDENS, Upland, California 

THE CULTURE OF WATER LILIES 
Please Read Carefully 
We are always happy to give any advice possible regarding 
the culture of Water lilies and should any problem arise 
which is not dealt with on this page we hope you will feel 
free to consult us; however, before writing please read this 
carefully, as we have tried to cover all of the problems in- 
volved in Water lily culture as we know them. The following 
are the questions we are called upon to answer very often. 

SHOULD LILIES BE PLANTED IN SOIL? 
Most emphatically yes, Water lilies have to have soil and 
it must. be rich. Use one-fourth well rotted dairy fertilizer 
and three-fourths good loam for best results. Commercial 
fertilizer may be used rather than barnyard if it is not well 
rotted. See page 23. 
HOW MUCH SOIL SHOULD EACH LILY HAVE? 
At least one bushel of soil for each lily of medium size. 
Dwarf lilies will do with less. Tropical lilies should have two 
bushels for best results. 
HOW DEEP SHOULD THE WATER BE? 
The ideal depth of water over the crown of the plant is 
from 8 to 10 inches, although they will give fairly good 
results in water from 6 to 15 inches in depth. 
SHOULD LILIES BE PLANTED IN BOXES? 
They may be planted either in boxes or on bottom of pool, 
but pool is easier kept clean if boxes are used. Place fer- 
tilizer in lower half of soil, fill box with garden soil and 
cover with 1 inch of coarse sand. If pool is deep the boxes 
should be raised to within 8 or 10 inches of the surface. Boxes 
should be 2x2 ft. square and 1 ft. deep for best results. 
DO LILIES LIKE SHADE? 
They do not. They will not bloom unless they have full 
sun for at least half the day, preferably morning sun. Such 
lilies as Comanche and the Marliacs do fairly well in partial 
shade. Water Lettuce, Hyacinth and the Taros are satisfac- 
tory in shady pools, but to try anything else is money wasted. 
CAN WATER LILIES BE GROWN IN TUBS? 
Yes, the dwarf and semi-dwarf lilies do well in tubs, but 
the larger varieties will do better in a concrete pool. 
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO BUILD A POOL? 
A satisfactory pool may be built for the price of two sacks 
of cement, plus a day’s work. This size will accommodate 
three lilies. A 12 ft. pool can be built for $5.00 and 15 hours’ 
labor. Full directions for building may be found on page 11. 
SHOULD LILIES HAVE RUNNING WATER? 
No, running water is always too cold for lilies. They like 
still, warm water which will not become stagnant so long as 
there is vegetation in the pool. 
WHEN SHOULD WATER LILIES BE PLANTED? 
Hardy Lilies—In generally frost-free areas plant at any 
time. In climates subject to freezing weather about April 1 
is a safe date; they may be planted up until August with 
good results. 
Tropical Lilies—Set out only after minimum temperature 
of 70° can be depended upon. Earlier planting leads only to 
disappointment. 
HOW SHOULD WATER LILIES BE PLANTED? 
Hardy lilies should be planted horizontally, with the crown 
well out of the soil. Tropical lilies should be planted upright 
and at the same depth as before being shipped as growing 
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. 
HOW AND WHEN SHOULD LOTUS BE 
PLANTED? 
Great care should be exercised in handling a Lotus bulb; 
be very careful to not break off the growing point as that 
renders the bulb useless. The crown should be placed up, 
with the bulb laid horizontally. Cover with two inches of 
soil, leaving growing point exposed. Cover with about six 
inches of water until growth begins. 
While Lotus is hardy it should not be planted too early, a as 
growth should begin at once after planting or bulb is apt to 
decay. A good time for planting is from May Ist to June Ist. 
HOW SHOULD WATER LILIES BE WINTERED 
OVER? 
Hardy lilies may safely be wintered over in the pool if the 
roots do not freeze. In extremely cold climates cover with 
boards: and give an extra covering of straw. Should it be 
advisable to lift the lilies before cold weather arrives they 
may be stored in a cool cellar. Be careful that they do not 
dry out or dry rot will attack them and they will be lost. 
“WHEN SHOULD POOLS BE CLEANED? 
Early in the spring, before the lilies begin to grow, all 
debris should be cleaned out of the pool. It is not necessary 
to drain the pool and remove the soil oftener than once in 
two years. All cleaning and replanting should be done early 
in the spring or fish spawn will be lost. 
WHAT PESTS ATTACK WATER PLANTS? 
Aphis is the only pest to contend with. This may be con- 
trolled by spraying with the hose, early in the morning, then 
the fish will eat them. Begin with the first signs of Aphis. 
HOW DO YOU KEEP MOSQUITOS FROM 
BREEDING IN POOL? 
If you have half a dozen of fish for each 6 ft. of Sot they 
will very effectively keep out mosquito larvae. 
HOW SHOULD POOL BE TREATED TO KEEP 
WATER CLEAR? 
Use plenty of oxygenating plants, such as Anacharis, 
Myriophyllum, and Parrotsfeather. Keep a drip in the pool at 
all times. Have a good supply of snails to keep the water 
pure. 
Twelve 
