I Have A Lily Problem

[Dude]

this lily i have planted has one underwater leaf

every other leaf that comes out reaches for the surface

now ive read that you need to train them to grow underwater by cutting the leaves that want to reach the surface

is this the right thing to do?

 

[Dude]

please help /

what do i do to keep the growth underwater?

 

[nry]

As you've said, nip off the longer stemmed leaves.

 

[Dude]

the only leaves its been growing are going right to the surface ///

ive had to cut at least 6 leaves ....

it just wont grow submerged leaves///

 

[ICEEGRL]

How much light is it getting? If there isn't enough light they will sometimes reach for what they can get, and you end up with no lower leaves.
I had one that I planted in a bowl in the window with a lamp. That made it start reaching the surface with shorter stems. Then when I put it back in the tank... it stayed shorter. It is a lot of trouble, but it worked for me. I have only done that once though.

 

[jimbooo]

without "blowing my own trumpet" i have quite a bit of experience with lillies. the plant learns how tall to grow. if you pull out leaves as soon as they are past your desired height in time the plant will learn that it will loose it leaves if it keeps growing.

you are on the right track, remove all surface leaves and just leave the submerged ones. it will look funny for a while but this is the only way to do it.

good luck

 

[Dude]

thanks ill keep trying

but im still worried that it wont get light bc i cut the leaves off all the time...

plus what about cuttin the roots is that a good idea?

 

[wei0204]

I have some tiger lotus, I normally pluck off the leaves that are growing to the surface, once i plucked it off, it won't grow to surface that frequent...

 

[petetong]

Hi jimbooo . have some lilies growing in the pond( no idea what kind). Could I put them in the aquarium? are there any sorts that are no good for indoors?