Lily leaves not floating - ideas please

chriscavell0683

Hi all.. 
I bought a lily (bare rooted) for the little container pond I've put together but I can't get the leaves to stay afloat? I've jigged the root around but nothing seems to work. 
Anyone had this problem? What did you do to resolve it?

Thanks

Lyn

Is it too low in the water?  you could stand it on a brick, if it’s new to the pond it will come to the top in own time as it settle in. 

Fairygirl

I think @Lyn is right in that it's probably too low,  but have you got it in a pot or is it just planted in the bottom?
They can take a few years to get to full size [even the pygmy ones] so you need to site them at a depth initially so that the leaves are just on the surface. You can then lower it down as it matures. 

chriscavell0683

It's resting on a brick already, if I add another one it'll end up too high (but I can't raise the water much more because of other plants that are in there (and I don't have enough bricks lol).
It's bare root so no pot it's just propped on top of the brick

Silver surfer

Suggest you watch Monty's video.
Normally they are planted in a special basket full of holes to let the water in ...in soil.

Your way there is nothing for the roots to grow into.
Nothing to stop it falling of the brick every time the wind ripples the water.

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-plant-water-lilies-in-a-pond/

chriscavell0683

Brilliant thank you, I'll watch that

Fairygirl

You  need to plant it into a pot. It can't grow like that.
If you don't have a pond pot, you can use any pot and just cut big slits in it as a temporary solution.
You don't necessarily need another brick to sit it on either. Just turn the one you have on it's side, or use a piece of timber offcut or similar. Once it's potted, it'll be higher anyway though.