VAN NESS WATER GARDENS, 2460 North Euclid Crescent West, Upland, California 
Page 11 
THE CULTURE OF WATER LILIES continued 
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 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 attach them and they will be lost. 
HOW DO YOU WINTER TROPICALS? 
In mild climates they may be left in the pool all winter. 
We do not guarantee them to live over, but almost without 
exception they do in Southern California and mild areas. 
In May get in and see that the bulb is one-half inch under 
the soil and crown (rough) side up. The bulb may be deep 
in the box. In cold climates take the bulb out after the 
lily has gone dormant. Store in a can of moist sand in 
FROST FREE cellar or garage until May. Plant. Tropicals 
have so many blooms and are so beautiful they are worth 
this little extra work. Night bloomers will not live over 
anywhere. They must be harvested and stored. 
HOW AND WHEN SHOULD 
LOTUS BE PLANTED? 
These plants are hardy and 
may be grown anywhere in 
the U.S., blooming better the 
second year than the first. The 
bulbs look like a peeled ba- 
nana, the crown is at the long 
end of the bulb. The crown 
should be placed up, with the 
bulb placed horizontally. Great 
care should be taken not to 
break the crown off, as that 
renders the bulb worthless. 
Cover with 2 inches of soil, 
leaving growing point just out 
of the soil. Cover with 6 in- 
ches of water until growth be- 
gins. While Lotus is hardy it 
should not be planted too early 
as growth should begin at 
once after planting orebulb is 
apt to decay. We have a 
method of holding bulbs so 
they may be planted as late 
as June 15. 
= FERTILIZER 
Hardy Lily Planting 
IT’S EASY TO BUILD YOUR OWN POOL 
Woopen Box For 
WATER LILY 
2 Ft 
LOCATION. The pool should be exposed to full sun. 
Lilies cannot be expected to bloom unless the sun shines 
into the heart of them at least part of the day. 
We suggest that you make your pool as large as your 
space will permit, as there are so many water plants you 
will want 
An informal pool is much easier and less expensive to 
build than a formal one, as it can be built without forms. 
For an informal pool, after deciding on size and shape, dig 
out soil to depth of 2 feet and level off. Shave side walls as 
near perpendicular as possible, as walls which slope are 
that much wasted space in your pool, and gather Algae 
making pool unsightly: Tamp walls and floor and reinforce 
with heavy fencing wire, covering walls and floor. 
Water Level 
. * }.Oxyqenating Plants 
Yall yoy In Dots 
Wx f SOc Loose Bunches 
Concrete Pool 
In building a formal pool dig the exact size and shape 
desired. Allow about 6 inches space for wall and build 
inside form. The walls should be reinforced, and after it 
is. poured, allow it to harden until the next day. Remove 
forms and pour bottom of the pool. Finish as directed be- 
low. 
Cement. The proper mixture of cement is one shovel of 
cement to five of sand. In cold climates, the concrete should 
be 6 inches thick; in mild climates 3 inches is ample. 
Allow water to stand in pool for 3 days to soak out the 
alkali; drain off and when dry, sweep thoroughly and the 
pool is ready for planting. 
To Waterproof: Mix pure waterproof cement and water 
to consistency of paint and paint the pool. 
