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The Water Garden - Planting And Propagation |
 For any plant to grow well, it is essential for its rooting
conditions to be right. This is certainly so in the case of
water plants, for although there are a few species which seem
able to live without fixing their roots into any soil at all, most
do draw nourishment from the compost in which they are
planted.
As far as natural streams and ponds are concerned, we can
do little or nothing regarding their position but where a pool
is being made, it is advisable, even essential, that the site should
not be overshadowed by buildings or trees.
Ideally, the pool should be open to the south, although a
south-east or south-west aspect are also suitable since they
ensure full benefit from the sun. This does not mean that
should positions in such aspects not be available, water plants
will not grow, but it does mean that the less hardy subjects
should foe avoided.
The correct time for planting aquatic plants is from the end
of April until July, May and June being the best for water-
lilies. Some waterside plants and ferns can also be trans-
planted in August and September.
It is always a temptation, and a mistake, to put in too many
plants. Some specie.s make vigorous growth and overcrowd
the water in a short time as well as blotting out the smaller,
choice plants.
Water-lilies always make a considerable amount of growth
and need a fairly rich planting compost if they are to continue
to give a good display. The most usual reason for water-lilies
making poor growth and producing only a few small flowers
is due to lack of nourishment. Whether the lilies are being
placed directly into the pond bed or are being planted in
baskets, it is important to make up a rich rooting mixture.
Cow manure should be procured if at all possible and one part,
should be added to six parts of good loam. Do not use horse,
pig or poultry manure, and if cow manure cannot be obtained,
it is best to depend on bone meal. This should be used at the rate
of one thirty-two size pot (which has a six and a quarter-inch
inside top diameter) of bone meal, to each barrow-load of loam.
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