How to Plant Water Lilies .. . 
THEIR CULTURE, GROWTH AND CARE OF POOLS 
1 Gas culture of water lilies is very. simple and there are no stumbling 
blocks such as one often runs into in caring for many garden plants. 
Since they grow in water they do not need daily attention to watering. In 
hot, dry weather they will not burn up nor will they drown out in pro- 
longed, cold rains. 
Most aquatics are gross feeders and appreciate 
a rich soil. They will grow well in any type of 
soil if enriched either with Johnson’s Water Lily 
Fertilizer or with cow or stable manure. In poor 
soils they cannot make the lush, green growth 
you have a right to expect. Thus unless your 
soil is exceptionally rich we advise some form 
of fertilizer. Do not use too much but follow 
instructions below. 
Remember that aquatics thrive best where they 
receive at least a reasonable amount of sunlight. 
Shady water is very cold. 
CARE OF THE NEW POOL 
There are two different ways to prepare your 
pool for planting. The simplest and most con- 
venient way is to plant in boxes filled with earth. 
This makes it much more parctical to thoroughly 
clean the pool in spring and helps greatly to 
keep the growth of plants in check. 
In very small pools or where they are too shal- 
low, i.e., less than 12 inches, it is sometimes 
best to cover the bottom with soil, allowing for 
from 6 to 12 inches of water. However, unless the 
plants are watched, the stronger kinds are liable 
to smother out the less vigorous. There is much 
to be said for both methods, but the more experi- 
enced growers seem to prefer boxes. 
After the soil or boxes are in we have found 
it stimulating to plant growth to drain the pool 
in about 10 days and fill with fresh water. To 
prevent the plants being injured by drying while 
draining they must be protected by wet rags or 
newspapers. 
BOX CONSTRUCTION. Boxes should be at 
least 15 inches square and, if pool is deep enough, 
12 inches in depth. Larger boxes up to 2 or 3 
feet square will give you prize winning blossoms. 
Make them of pine wood and they will last 20 
years. Never use redwood! 
SOIL.-The best soil is a good garden loam 
such as roses do well in. A clay or heavy loam 
is better than a sandy one as it has enough 
fertility to carry the plants through a vigorous 
season’s growth. Lilies, however, are not par- 
ticular and we have grown show specimens in 
every type of soil. 
FERFILIZERS. Cow manure is very good used 
at the rate of one shovelful to four of soil. Used 
thus it does not need to be decaved. Mix well 
and pack moderately firm.in the boxes. Stable 
manure may be used as above. Chicken and rabbit 
manure must be used with great care and in 
small amounts, as they are much given to burn- 
ing the roots. We suggest as the simplest and 
most satisfactory fertilizer that Johnson’s Water 
Lily Fertilizer be used. It is especially prepared, 
very economical, and gives splendid results. See 
below for prices. 
Where cow or other animal fertilizers are used 
we suggest draining and refilling as described 
under ‘“‘Care of New Pools.’’ 
USE JOHNSON’S WATER LILY FERTILIZER 
The result of years of experience this excellent aquatic plant food is 
compounded on our own formula. When preparing new soil for your lilies, 
mix 2 cupfuls to a bushel of soil. When fertilizing growing water lilies, 
place a tablespoonful in a paper sack and push down into the mud. 
These prizes are prepaid to your door! 
21% Ib. bag 
5 Ib. bag .. 
‘10 Ib. bag 
Three Kinds of Water Lily Roots 
This drawing explains the three main kinds of 
Water Lily rhizomes or “‘roots.’’ Note particu- 
larly how you should plant them in the soil— 
upright or horizontal! 
Fig. 1. A pot grown Tropical Lily. 
Fig. 2. The rhizome of all Hardy Lilies. 
Fig. 3. The tuber of our Star Lilies. 
15 ‘ts 30’— 
PLANTING THE NEW LILY 
When preparing the soil for planting do not 
lay the plants in the sun but keep them wrapped 
or place in a pail of water. After the boxes are 
ready you may plant before turning the water 
in if you cover them with wet newspapers. Per- 
haps the safest way is to delay planting until 
the water rises above the boxes. We generally 
fill the pool several days before planting so the 
sun may warm the water. 
PLANTING AND CARE OF TROPICAL LILIES 
Tropical Lilies are especially at home in America. Our warm spring and 
summer weather and warm nights induce a luxuriant growth hardly equaled 
in their native lands. Don’t be in too great a hurry to plant them in spring 
—not till warm, settled weather is assured. Our Blue Triumph and Blue 
Beauty are particularly hardy and may be planted 
somewhat earlier. 
simply scoop out a hole, then 
settle the soil about the -roots. As the plants 
mature we keep the old and yellowed leaves 
picked off which greatly accelerates their flower- 
ing. Two or three times during the summer we 
give our plants one or two tablespoons of fer- 
tilizer. Apply by wrapping in cloth and shoving 
in the mud a foot or so from the plants. Do not 
give too much or the roots may be burned. Such 
treatment will keep them flowering till heavy 
frost. 
In planting 
STAR LILIES AND HOW TO PLANT THEM 
These charming tropical lilies form hard tubers 
in the fall and thus winter easily if kept in damp 
sand in a frost-free place. See figure 3 at left. 
Plant them out in May. They may be started in 
a pail of water without soil in a warm window. 
After they have sprouted well they grow amaz- 
ingly fast and bloom almost at once. 
NIGHT BLOOMING TROPICAL LILIES 
These startlingly beautiful lilies are natives of 
India. and Africa. They luxuriate during our 
warm summers and when established bloom most 
freely and are hardy, vigorous plants. Generally 
speaking, they flower somewhat later than day 
blooming varieties, but continue flowering until 
late frosts. Do not crowd them and they will 
give you a truly gorgeous display. Feed them 
well during the summer. 
HARDY WATER LILIES 
These are the most widely known lilies and 
are quite different from all the other kinds. They 
have a creeping rhizome, as in figure 2 above, 
and must be planted as pictured—horizontally. 
Do not plant them upright. If the leaves are sub- 
merged when planting they will quickly grow to 
the surface. Barely cover the “‘root’’ with soil 
and if it is inclined to float place a brick over 
it. Many plants will be in flower within 3 or 
4 weeks! They enjoy summer fertilizings and hav- 
ing the older yellowed leaves picked off. 
LOTUS 
While these are perfectly winter hardy yet they 
come from the tropics of India and China. The 
thizomes are easily broken and must be handled 
with great care. They look very like a banana. 
Scoop out the soil and gently cover, leaving the 
growing tip just exposed. Give them plenty of 
room—a 2 foot box is none too large. 
SHALLOW WATER AND BOG PLANTS 
These varied plants grow in water from 2 to 
12 inches deep. Give them rich soil and several 
summer feedings for best results. More detailed 
instructions are given with the plants. 
WINTER CARE OF AQUATICS AND POOLS 
Hardy Water Lilies, perhaps with the best results, may be left undisturbed 
if the pool can be boarded over or otherwise protected from too deep freez- 
ing. Generally the boards will give ample protection if covered over with 
a heavy thickness of leaves or straw with a layer of soil over all. The par- 
solidly about them. 
ents of the Hardy varieties come from the temperate zone, some growing 
as far north as Finland, so they are amply hardy if ice does not freeze 
In very cold climates some advocate taking the boxes in which the lilies 
grow into the basement away from frost, being sure to keep them wet all 
winter. Keep a sharp eye out for mice. Others prefer to dig a deep trench 
and bury the boxes below the frost line. All these: methods are extensively 
used. Boarding the pool over, however, prevents ice damage to the pool 
and thus serves a dual purpose. 
Of the Tropical Lilies only the Star Lilies can be wintered without a 
warm greenhovse pool. ; 
