If You Start Water Lilies Shallow, At What Point Do You Lower Them?

[Mmathis]

How do you know when to place them at the lower depth, where they'll stay for the remainder of the summer?

I'm trying the "bare root" thing. Mine are zip-tied in baskets, weighted with a rock. Right now, I have them suspended 12"-18" or so from the surface (they weren't doing anything when I had them deeper). They're finally starting to put out a few leaves......ever so slowly, I might add....

 

[addy1]

I usually have mine a foot to 6 inches deep, as soon as leaves start to hit the surface, I push them deeper, 2-3 feet.

 

[Mmathis]

I usually have mine a foot to 6 inches deep, as soon as leaves start to hit the surface, I push them deeper, 2-3 feet.

Thanks, Addy! I have leaves [2 or 3] on 3 of 4 plants. Number 4 lily isn't doing much at this point. I also have a dwarf lily, but that little guy is putting leaves out like crazy -- they just aren't going to the surface yet, so wonder if I have it too low????

 

[addy1]

If they are deep the leaves will make it to the surface, if they are shallow they just get there faster. I find the shallow water with more sun hitting them gets them growing faster.

 

[dieselplower]

I also drop them down farther once they reach the surface. 3' is the max I will go down.

 

[addy1]

I also drop them down farther once they reach the surface. 3' is the max I will go down.

Same here I had one break off and start growing all by itself in around 4 plus feet of water, it did make it to the surface, never did really well.