How to Grow Water Lilies 
EASY — Water lilies are the easiest of 
flowers to grow, for they require no care 
once they are set out. No weeding, no 
hoeing, no hand watering, and they grow 
equally well in the North, South, East or 
West. Just plant them in a box, tub, half 
barrel, or bushel basket, and watch them 
grow. 
TUB GARDENS — Many of the most 
beautiful water lilies do splendidly in just 
a sunken tub or half barrel. We especially 
recommend tub gardens to those who have 
only a small lot or who rent, as they are 
easily moved. See pages 19-20. 
BUILDING THE POOL — Select a sun- 
ny location if possible. Many lilies will 
bloom in part shade, however. For com- 
plete instructions on building pools, see 
pages 14-15. 
BOXES — Although it is not necessary, 
lilies generally do best when planted in a 
container — about 2 feet across by 1 foot 
deep. Boxes, tubs, half barrels, and bushe! 
baskets are all good. Avoid unpainted metal 
or redwood containers for they stunt lilies. 
Our solid cedar PLANTING TUBS are 
ideal. (See page 20.) 
SOIL — Any good garden loam is good. 
If sod (especially rotted sod) is available, 
use it. Sod is richer than plain dirt. Be sure 
to mix in some kind of fertilizer, for more 
and larger blooms. 
FERTILIZERS: After years of experi- 
menting, our grower has developed a scien- 
tifically balanced fertilizer, KELLOGG’S 
PERFECTION (the Perfect Water Lily 
Fertilizer). It has everything that water 
lilies and aquatics need. Use 1! to 2 lbs. 
for each lily; put in bottom of planting con- 
tainer.. Fors M and LARGER 
BLOOMS, USE KELLOGG’S PERFEC- 
TION; 3 lbs., $1.00; 7 Ibs., $2.00; 12 Ibs.. 
$3.00; 25 Ibs., 6.00. 
ROTTED DAIRY FERTILIZER is next 
best, but often discolors the water, even 
when used in correct amounts. Use 1 part 
to 3 or 4 parts of soil and mix well, 
a 
PLANTING — Put about 6 inches of 
water over soil. Plant Hardy Water Lilies 
horizontally (not upright) about 1 inch 
deep with crown exposed. Plant Tropicals 
upright, covering up to crown. (Caution: 
Tropical leaves are thin and wither easily in 
sun when out of water.) Fill water to 1 
foot gradually. 
WHEN TO PLANT — HARDIES: The 
last of April to the middle of August; the 
earlier the better, however. TROPICALS: 
Not until the weather is settled; in the lati- 
tude of New York and Chicago, about June 
ieee South, after May 10th is usually 
right. 
COVER DIRT WITH ONE INCH OF 
SAND after plating, to prevent fish and 
frogs from stirring the soil. Helps keep 
water clear. 
FERTILIZING DURING SUMMER: 
Water Lilies are very heavy feeders. You 
will get more and larger blooms if you will 
feed them KELLOGG’S PERFECTION 3 
or 4 TIMES during summer. Wrap a large 
handful in cheese cloth or tissue paper and 
press into soil close to roots on 2 or 3 sides 
of each plant. Do not disturb plant or con- 
tainer. 
SPRING FERTILIZING: When the 
pool is being cleaned in the spring, remove 
top layer of soil and spade in 2 Ibs. of 
Kellogg’s Perfection. Replace top soil. 
WINTER CARE — Cover pool or tub 
garden with boards and leaves (hay or 
straw). Weight down. Hardies keep per- 
fectly this way. Tropicals should be re- 
placed each spring, unless a green-house is 
available. Goldfish may be left in pool pro- 
viding — (1) The water is about 2 feet 
deep, and, (2) Maple leaves do not blow 
into pool. Otherwise, remove goldfish to 
tub in cellar. If desired, Hardy Lilies may 
be moved to cellar and kept covered with 
water or wet burlap. 
SPRING CLEANING— As soon as 
weather permits, drain or dip out pool and 
remove all rubbish. Give each lily 114 to 
2 pounds of KELLOGG’S PERFECTION. 
Every other year at this time do the follow- 
ing: 1.) dig up each plant; 2.) pull or cut 
it apart; 3) change soil, mixing in well two 
pounds of KELLOGG’S PERFECTION; 
4.) plant back just the largest root; 5.) de- 
stroy others. 
LOTUS — Lotus tubers look like bana- 
nas. They like a heavy rich soil. Plant 
them horizontally or flat (not upright). 
They require 2 to 10 inches of water. 
Cover with 3 to 4 inches of soil (no 
deeper). Once established they are as 
tough as Hardies. (Caution: In unpacking 
and planting Lotus tubers, be careful not 
to break them for they are very brittle.) 
DISTANCE APART — The average 
lily requires a space 3 feet across (or more). 
A 5-foot pool will take care of 3 or 4 lilies. 
A 10-foot pool will accommodate 6 to 10 
lilies and other aquatics. A little more space 
should be allowed for the larger flowering 
lilies and Lotus. The lilies pictured on page 
5 do well in very crowded quarters (less 
than 3 foot space), due to their naturally 
small leaf spread. 
PESTS — Mosquitoes can be kept out 
by goldfish. Black aphids can be killed 
with Black Leaf 40, or washed off with the 
hose so that the fish can eat them. 
BLOOMING SEASON—Hardies bloom 
best here in the North during June, July, 
and August. Tropicals are at their best in 
August, September and October. By order- 
ing both Hardies and Tropicals, you can 
have five months of continuous blooming. 
DIVIDING — Roots of Hardies should 
be divided every second year, allowing at 
least 6 inches of root attached to crown. 
Dividing can be accomplished by breaking 
roots apart with hands or by cutting them 
with knife. 
CHANGING SOIL — Give lilies new 
soil every second year. Use garden loam 
(or sod) and put in 2 or 3 lbs. of KEL- 
LOGG’S PERFECTION in bottom of 
planting container for each lily. 
r 
4 
Three Rivers, Michigan 
Page 13 
