Water lily (Nymphaea tetragona), also known as Ziwulian or cress flower, belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. This aquatic ornamental plant is widely appreciated for its beautiful flowers and lush foliage. It is commonly planted in parks, gardens, and scenic areas, where it adds color with its various varieties such as water lilies, lotus flowers, and wetland plants. Beyond its aesthetic value, the water lily plays a significant role in purifying water by absorbing heavy metals like lead and mercury, as well as toxic substances such as phenol.
(1) **Morphological Characteristics and Varieties**:
The water lily is a perennial aquatic plant with a short, thick rhizome. Its leaves are clustered, with long, slender petioles that float on the water surface. The leaves are thin but leathery, round in shape, with a sulcate base and smooth edges. They are dark green and shiny on top, while the underside is deep purple. The flowers are solitary, floating or slightly above the water, typically white or pink in color. After pollination, they develop into aggregated fruits containing numerous small nuts.
There are approximately 40 species within the genus, with several commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes, including *N. alba*, *N. caerulea*, *N. mexicana*, *N. odorata*, and *N. rubra*.
(2) **Ecological Habits**:
Native to regions across the Americas, Asia, and Europe, water lilies thrive in cold-tolerant, sunny, and well-ventilated environments with rich humus clay. They prefer a pH range of 6 to 8 and grow best in ponds with water depth not exceeding 80 cm during the growing season. Leaves emerge from March to April, and flowers bloom between May and August. Each flower lasts 2 to 5 days, opening during the day and closing at night. After flowering, the stems and leaves gradually wither from October to November. New growth appears again in the following spring.
(3) **Propagation Methods**:
The most common method of propagation is through ramets. In March or April, when temperatures rise and buds begin to sprout, the rhizomes are carefully dug up and cut into sections using a sharp knife. These can then be planted separately.
Alternatively, seeds can be used for propagation. After the flowers have bloomed, they are placed in a cloth bag to catch the seeds once the fruit matures and opens. Once collected, the seeds are stored in a sealed bottle filled with water and kept in a pool until spring. When ready, the seeds are placed in a triangular container with water, kept in an incubator at 25–30°C, and the water is changed daily. Within two weeks, the seeds should germinate. Once sprouts appear, they are transplanted into small pots in a greenhouse. After planting, the pots are placed in a tank with only 1 cm of water covering the young leaves. When temperatures rise above 15°C in April, the plants can be moved outdoors. As new leaves grow, the pots are repotted 2–3 times, and the final pot size should be at least 35 cm in diameter. Some plants may flower in the same year, while most will bloom the following year.
(4) **Cultivation Techniques**:
For pond cultivation, it's important to drain the pond early in spring. Loosen the soil around the rhizome, apply a base fertilizer, add mud, and then fill the pond with water. As new leaves appear from spring to summer, gradually increase the water depth to 50–80 cm in summer. In northern regions, ensure the water is more than 1 meter deep in winter to prevent root damage from freezing. Every three years, the plants should be updated. For potted plants, it's recommended to change the soil and apply rotted bean cake juice as a base fertilizer before and after the spring equinox. Replant them in a large water tank or shallow pool, keeping the water level between 20–40 cm.
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