Drowned my water lilly plant in pond

"Cultivation notes


Choosing waterlilies to buy

• Look for a healthy crown and make certain that there is no damage to the buds or leaves
• Ensure the nursery display tanks are not weed-infested as you could transmit problems to your pond
• Waterlilies vary widely in vigour. Make sure the ultimate plant size is suited to the pond and depth of water available
• Small cultivars can be accommodated in large ponds by using bricks to raise them up to the correct level but overly vigorous plants may take over smaller ponds

Planting waterlilies
To grow successfully they need calm, still water away from disturbance by waterfalls, fountains or pumps. They are best planted between late spring and late summer in an open position with full sun.

• Waterlilies are best grown in aquatic baskets. Choose a suitable size for the plant’s vigour
• Line the basket with hessian and fill with loamy soil or aquatic plant compost, planting the crown at soil level
• Trim back any long roots and cut off old or damaged leaves and flower buds
• Water well before placing in the pond, then submerge the plant so that 15-25cm (6-10in) of water covers the crown and young leaves float on the surface
• To ensure the correct depth place the basket on bricks or other raised platform. In a new pond the basket may be positioned on the bottom before the pond is filled
• As plants grow, gradually lower the container in stages until it finally rests on the bottom of the pond
• Tropical waterlilies can be planted at their permanent depth immediately as they grow quickly

Feeding
Waterlilies are heavy feeders and benefit from a proprietary aquatic slow release fertilizer added into the compost or soil during the growing season, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Maintenance
Flowers last three or four days and should be cut off below the water line along with any old leaves before they sink and rot."