Water lily help

[auia]

I bought a water lily Pygmaea Rubra, which was quite expensive. I got it about 3-4 weeks ago. I think there is something wrong with it, the crown is quite black looking and it starts to grow a leave which ends up a bit slimy and turns red. I really don't know anything about these plants and don't know if it has something wrong with it or if it will end up growing ok

[bobbarber]

Hello auia, it sounds like your lily might have what is known as crown rot. If it is, remove the lily from the water and throw away the rotting stems and compost. Replant the healthy pieces of root in fresh compost and place in a separate container to your pool or tub for a quarantine period as the fungus can be quite infectious, until you know that it is o.k.
The depth of water it prefers is about 15- 25 cms. and don`t forget to give it a slow release fertiliser in the form of a tablet or sachet (from your garden centre). It likes a sunny open position and still water. It`s a lovely plant but can take a couple of years to establish. Good luck...Bob
P.S. You could try for a replacement from where you bought it as they are not cheap.