Yellow Water Lily Nymphaea 'Charlene Strawn' (H)

Water

The Hardy Water Lily requires regular watering as it is an aquatic plant. Since they live in water, the method of watering is different from typical potted plants—it involves ensuring that the Nymphaea 'Charlene Strawn' is submerged in at least 12 inches of water at all times. The amount of water will vary depending on the size of your pond or water garden, but it's important to maintain consistent water levels. Evaporation and splashing can reduce water levels, so check the pond regularly, especially during dry spells or hot weather, and add water to maintain the proper depth. Usually, adding a few gallons per week will compensate for water loss, but this will depend on the pond size and environmental conditions.

Light

The Hardy Water Lily thrives in full sunlight and requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to bloom properly. The best spot for the 'Charlene Strawn' is in an area of your pond or water garden that is exposed to uninterrupted sunlight while avoiding areas where tall plants or structures might cast significant shade.

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for the Hardy Water Lily is between 70°F to 85°F, which promotes healthy growth and flowering. The 'Charlene Strawn' can survive in temperatures as low as 32°F, which is the freezing point of water, and it can tolerate the summer heat as long as the roots remain submerged and cool. However, if the water temperature falls below 70°F, the growth rate may slow down, and below 32°F, the plant will go dormant.

Pruning

Pruning the Hardy Water Lily is essential to maintain its health and appearance. Remove yellow or dying leaves and spent blooms to encourage new growth and prevent decay, which could foul the water. The best time to prune 'Charlene Strawn' is during the growing season when the plant is actively producing new foliage and flowers. Prune as needed throughout the season, typically every few weeks, removing any parts that are not healthy.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Hardy Water Lily 'Charlene Strawn' prefers a loamy, heavy clay soil that anchors its roots well. A mix of 60% clay and 40% sand is often recommended. The soil should be slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 for optimal growth.

Repotting

Hardy Water Lilies like 'Charlene Strawn' should be repotted every one to two years to refresh the soil and allow for growth. It is best to repot in the spring before the growing season begins or after the plant has finished blooming.

Humidity & Misting

Hardy Water Lilies, including 'Charlene Strawn', thrive in aquatic environments, and as such, they require high humidity levels that are naturally provided by their constant submersion in water.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Grow in a large water-tight container with ample sunlight.

• Outdoor

  Plant in a pond with full sun and still water.

• Hardiness zone

  4-11 USDA

Life cycle

The life of a 'Charlene Strawn' Hardy Water Lily begins with the germination of seeds or the growth of tubers under water in a muddy substrate. As the plant grows, it sends up stems known as rhizomes towards the water surface, which will later develop floating leaves, or lily pads. These leaves expand to cover the water surface, creating shade and habitat underneath. After establishing leaves, the water lily produces distinctive flowers that float on the water surface or may stand slightly above it, typically blooming in the morning and closing in the afternoon, and are pollinated by insects. Once pollinated, the flowers produce seeds, which sink to the bottom to germinate and create new plants, or the plant can propagate asexually through division of its rhizomes. As temperatures decrease and winter approaches, the aerial parts of the water lily die back, while the rhizomes remain dormant over winter, ready to regrow the following spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Nymphaea 'Charlene Strawn', also known as the Hardy Water Lily, is best propagated through division, which should ideally be done during late winter or early spring before the growing season begins. This method involves carefully removing the water lily from its aquatic environment and dividing the tuberous rhizome into sections, each with at least one eye, or growth point. The sections are then planted in individual pots filled with a heavy loam soil and lowered back into the water at a shallow depth to encourage the growth. Roots will establish and leaves will start to unfurl and reach for the water's surface as the temperatures warm up, signaling a successful propagation. It is key to ensure that each new division has enough nutrients and space to develop into a healthy plant.