Water Lily Nymphaea 'René Gérard' (H)

Water

The Nymphaea 'René Gérard', commonly known as the Hardy Water Lily, should be planted in a pond or water garden where the rhizomes are submerged. The depth of water over the plant's crown should be about 12 to 18 inches. Unlike traditional potted plants, water lilies are constantly in contact with water, so there's no need for regular watering schedules. Ensure the pond or water garden does not go dry; water should be added to maintain the appropriate level due to evaporation. It's unnecessary to measure the amount of water in gallons over a fixed amount of time, as the plant should be in a stable body of water.

Light

The Hardy Water Lily requires full sunlight to thrive best, with at least 6 hours of direct daylight. It should be placed in a spot within the pond where it can receive unobstructed sunlight; shady spots can inhibit bloom and growth. However, some dappled light or partial shade during the hottest part of the day can help in areas with very intense sunlight.

Temperature

Hardy Water Lilies are best suited to temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but they can survive in temperatures as low as 32 degrees and as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods. They go dormant in winter and can withstand the cold as long as the rhizomes do not freeze solid. The ideal temperature promotes healthy growth and bloom.

Pruning

Pruning Hardy Water Lilies involves removing dead or decaying leaves and flowers to maintain a clean appearance and promote healthy growth. This should be done throughout the growing season as needed. Pruning is best done during the summer months when the plant is actively growing.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Water Lilies, such as Nymphaea 'René Gérard', thrive best in heavy clay garden soil. The ideal soil mix for these plants is a heavy loam that retains nutrients but doesn't float away when submerged. The pH level should be neutral to slightly acidic, around 6.5 to 7.2. Avoid potting soils with perlite, vermiculite, or peat moss because they can float and cloud the water.

Repotting

Water Lilies like Nymphaea 'René Gérard' generally require repotting every one to two years. They should be repotted in the spring when they start actively growing. Use the time to divide the rhizome if the plant has outgrown its pot or if you want to propagate more plants.

Humidity & Misting

For the Water Lily, specifically Nymphaea 'René Gérard', the best humidity conditions are those similar to their natural pond habitat. They thrive in high humidity levels that are typical of still, pond waters, where the surface evaporation helps maintain the necessary moisture in the air.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Not suitable for typical indoor growth conditions.

• Outdoor

  Plant in still, full-sun ponds and fertilize regularly.

• Hardiness zone

  4-11 USDA.

Life cycle

The Nymphaea 'René Gérard', commonly known as Water Lily, begins its life as a seed that germinates in the mud of still freshwater bodies such as ponds or shallow lakes. Once the seedling emerges, it develops long stems that reach towards the water surface with leaves that float on the surface, utilizing sunlight for photosynthesis. The plant undergoes vegetative growth, spreading its rhizomatic roots in the sediment and producing more floating leaves. Flowers emerge from the water surface on separate stems, typically blossoming from late spring to early fall, displaying large and attractive petals that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers will close and sink below the water surface, where the fruit develops into a capsule containing numerous seeds. When mature, the seed capsule releases the seeds, and as they settle into the mud, they begin the cycle anew.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Nymphaea 'René Gérard', commonly known as water lily, can be propagated most popularly by division. This procedure is best done in the spring, as the water lily is coming out of dormancy and before it begins to vigorously grow. For propagation, gardeners carefully remove the plant from the pond and locate the rhizome, which is the horizontal stem from which the leaves grow. They then cut a section of the rhizome that includes at least one growing point or "eye." This cutting should be about 3 to 4 inches long (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters), ensuring that there are some roots attached to it. The cut section can then be planted in a pot filled with aquatic soil and gently lowered back into the water to ensure the rhizome is just below the surface, allowing the growing point to remain above. New growth will typically emerge in a few weeks, and the plant will eventually develop into a new water lily.