Water Depth for Lilies 
Water-lilies in natural pools may be planted in a water-depth 
up to 24 inches, but if they are planted in containers, in 
artificial pools we recommend a water depth of no more than 
12 inches from the top of the container to the top of the 
water. Neither in natural nor in artificial pools should water- 
lilies be planted in less than 6 inches of water. For best 
results with young plants, especially with lotus, we recommend 
only 6 inches of water for the beginning and then lowering 
the soil container to a depth of no more than 12 inches — 
8 inches being a preferable depth—as the plants become well 
established. How to Plant 
You are not ready to start planting unless all of your boxes 
and pockets are filled with soil topped off with 1 inch of sand 
and the water has been in your pool for at least three days. 
All water-lilies (especially annuals), and aquatic plants should 
be planted immediately after unwrapping them because they 
will spoil if left to dry. (Caution: If the aforesaid plants can- 
not be planted immediately upon unwrapping they should be 
completely submerged in water until they can be planted.) 
To plant the lilies and other aquatics just press the roots or 
(in the case of plants with a ball of soil), the ball of soil into 
the, by now, soft sand and soil. Do not bury too deep in the 
soil. Be sure that the crown of the plant is just above the sand. 
The crown of the plant is that part of the plant where the 
stems of the leaves and the roots meet. 
The banana-like roots of the Lotus should be handled very 
gently so as not to break the brittle growing points. Press the 
Lotus roots, horizontally, 2 inches into the soil. 
When to Plant 
Perennial lilies and perennial bog plants may be planted early 
in the spring but not before the water has warmed up sufh- 
ciently to encourage immediate new growth. This date is 
usually around the latter part of April in the latitude of 
New York State. After May 1, is the time to plant Lotus and 
Oxygenating Plants; this is also the time to stock your pool 
with goldfish and scavengers. All the other plants listed in 
this book, including annual water-lilies, should not be planted 
before June 1. Often customers become impatient with our 
reluctance to sell annual water-lilies before June 1. The reason 
for our reluctance is not because the lilies are not ready. Just 
the contrary is true because by the end of May these lilies are 
already quite large, and providing room for all of them in our 
greenhouses becomes a problem. However, our many years of 
experience have shown us that the customer who waits even 
longer than June 1, the date we suggest, before planting 
annuals outdoors is usually far ahead of the customer who 
takes these lilies away before June 1, against our advice. 
Care of Pool during Summer 
For luxuriant growth of bog plants and water-lilies, especially 
annuals, feed every two weeks starting four weeks after plant- 
ing by inserting 2 tablespoonfuls of Vigoro, Bonemeal, or 
Bloodmeal wrapped in cheesecloth into the soil near the roots. 
Although not necessary for the growth of the lilies, but for 
the appearance of the pool, pick off the old leaves and flowers 
of the plants. Keep an eye on rampant growers such as 
Hyacinths, Parrot Feather, and Anacharis so that they do not 
crowd slower growing plants. Once a week spray your pool 
with water, using a garden hose, to keep in check small black 
aphids which sometimes during dry summers infest the leaves 
and stems of plants which grow above the water. If aphids 
persist, in spite of the water spraying, spray with Red Arrow. 
This spray is harmless to the fish if the directions on the 
bottle are followed. 
Winter Care of Pools, Fish, and Plants 
For winter care of Goldfish, Lotus, Perennial Lilies, and Bog 
Plants leave the water in the pool, and cover the pool with 
boards with leaves or straw heaped on top of them to prevent 
the water from freezing. If it is not possible to leave the water 
in the pool, remove the plants with their soil receptacles and 
bury them in the ground below the frost line (18 to 24 
inches underground). Or place them in any cool place which 
is free from frost such as the cellar. If you are going to store 
them in a place such as the cellar, be sure to keep them moist 
so as to prevent dry rot. If the plants are planted in soil on 
the bottom of the pool, cover the soil and plants with manure, 
” gma =oleaves, or straw to 
prevent freezing of 
the roots. If the fish 
are brought indoors 
in the fall be sure to 
provide large enough 
aquariums for them. 
Many more fish are 
killed every fall by 
crowding indoors 
than by freezing out- 
doors under the ice. 
BUILDING THE LILY POOL 
For those of you who are planning to build a pool in your 
garden, I offer the following useful advice and information as 
to the construction and location and other details necessary 
for the construction of a pool. 
Select your water garden site carefully. Consider its relation- 
ship to the house and the rest of the garden when seen from 
the outside or from inside the house. A natural pond is of 
course ideal. However, artificial pools can be beautifully de- 
tailed to give highest satisfaction. 
Shape and Size 
This is largely determined by the layout and size of your 
garden. Formal pools, which are usually either round, or 
square, or of some symmetrical design, require a formal set- 
ting. Informal pools are irregular in shape so as to fit the 
surrounding terrain. The informal pool is much more popular 
than the formal pool because, as with the informal garden, it 
gives you more freedom of action, and more expression of 
individuality, and it gives you the delight of creating natural- 
istic effects. 
Joseph Lingg Aquatic Gardens Inc. « Ardsley, New York 
The smallest pool is better than no pool at all. Water-lilies 
and other aquatics may be grown in a pool only 2 feet in 
diameter, but, as the cost of stocking even a large pool is 
small, we advise you to make your pool as large as your 
garden permits it to be. Also, as the pool is bound to be the 
show place of your garden, you will find the limitations of a 
small pool very annoying. We have heard many customers 
complain about their pool being too small, but never yet has 
one said that his pool was too large. 
Location and Depth 
Regardless of the size or shape of your pool, be sure, for 
best results in growing water-lilies, to place it where it will 
receive full sunlight. Formal pools are usually out in the 
center of the lawn where they are a part of the general design 
of the formal garden. There are many places in the informal 
garden where an informal pool may be placed such as: The 
low part of the rock garden where they make a wonderful 
addition to the natural setting of the rock garden. Any low 
part or far end of your garden. 
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