Charming Nymph Of Garden Ponds

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Among the people, the nymphea is often called the queen of reservoirs, a water lily or a water lily. Flaunting on the smooth surface of the water with its delicate petals, surrounded by bright green large leaves, it immediately attracts the eyes and enchants with its majesty. And there are few owners of garden ponds, who would not want to get this beautiful flower. According to ancient Greek legends, after her death, one loving nymph, rejected by Hercules, turned into him

Rival of roses

Nymph was revered in the days of ancient civilizations on a par with the majestic lotus. In Russia, it was considered a flower of mermaids, calling it either a floating fish, then a balabolka, or even completely overcome by grass, believing in its magical, protective power. Many put the nymphea in an amulet, which they wore around their necks before a long journey, protecting themselves from possible troubles and misfortunes. The roots and flowers of the water lily have long been used in folk medicine as sedatives, pain relievers, and antipyretic agents. The plant can also help with various skin diseases, relieves freckles, acne and sunburn well.

But, above all, the nymphea is an amazingly beautiful flower that can compete with the recognized crowned persons of the garden - peonies and roses. Its large single flowers blooming in the midst of rounded, dark green or reddish leaves have a pleasant, mesmerizing aroma. At the bottom, the rhizome holds the water lily, turning into an almost 2-meter stem. In the place of the flower, a green, round fruit with seeds appears in the fall. Among the 50 species known in the world and about 100 cultivated varieties of nymphs in Russia, three have taken root especially well: white, dwarf and fragrant water lilies. They love shallow bodies of water with no current.

It is important to keep the rhizomes

The color palette of the nymphea is quite rich: from pure white, pink, yellow shades to black and red. The compact rhizomes of the plant are very "well-mannered" and do not spread all over the bottom. Therefore, they are convenient for planting in separate, low containers with drainage, which can then be moved at your discretion. For a nymphaea, a mixture of clay soil, sand, black soil, peat or compost (2: 1: 1: 1) is well suited. Clay balls and a little bone meal are placed on the bottom in advance - an excellent food for water beauties.

There are no strict recommendations for planting time, but it is better to have time to do this from May to early October. The rhizomes of the nymphs are buried before the growth bud in prepared containers or immediately into the bottom of the future reservoir, sprinkling them with pebbles or gravel on top so that they do not float. On average, garden water lilies live in lakes 50-60 cm deep, but giant varieties can reach one meter, but dwarf ones - no more than 20-30 cm. Before buying a certain variety of nymphs, it is better to ask what are the conditions for the height and area of the reservoir so that the plant feels comfortable. It is not necessary to fill the water surface with plants - it is enough to plant about 30-40%, otherwise there is a risk of getting an unaesthetic, overgrown pond.

With seeds, a continuous hassle

Of the two common methods of propagation of water lilies - rhizome cuttings and seeds - the first is the most preferable. We will leave the seed method for especially patient and painstaking flower growers, since it is easier and safer to get new plants with the help of rhizomes. To do this, you need to cut off the rhizomes with buds in an adult nymph, and apply charcoal powder to the remaining "wounds". It is important not to overdry the cuttings, so they are wrapped in a damp cloth.

Previously, it was mistakenly believed that enchanting water lilies bloom only in the evening or at night. But the nymphea loves to bloom in the sun, fearing rain, since the merciless drops falling from above can injure her delicate petals. So there is no need to water it or equip fountains next to it. Light and warmth are the best conditions for the development of water lilies, so if a young, still immature plant is placed in a shaded corner of the pond, then its vegetation will slow down significantly.

Winter chores

It is quite problematic to protect the heat-loving nymphea in winter. This requires a lot of effort. But those who have a large and rather deep reservoir (50-60 cm) need not worry. But from smaller ponds that can freeze to the bottom, water lilies should be transferred from frost to the basement for wintering, or after the pond is completely drained, sprinkle the plants with sawdust, sand or peat. For greater reliability in the coming harsh winter, you can even bury the water lilies in the ground for half a meter or temporarily settle them in a local swamp.

With the arrival of spring, the nymphs return to their permanent place in the water slightly warmed by the rays of the sun. Suddenly occurring after freezing, as a rule, do not threaten water lilies. These charming plants practically do not get sick, except that sometimes they suffer from aphids on especially dry days. It is better to carefully collect these pests by hand, without using chemicals.