Water Lily (Nymphaea Candidissima)

[SOELEY]

Not sure if i'm in the right section for this really?

I have the above water lily in my pond and is growing brilliantly. I've got about 60% surface coverage now with a flower bud half out of the water and one just reaching the surface This is it's first year in the pond as well.

What I want to know is:

a) Can you take cuttings from the plant itself? If so what is the process and best time to do it?

b) Also, what do you do with them in winter time when the frost arrives and freezes the pond water?

[Dorts]

When the plant is large enough, probably 3/4 years old, take it out of the water, (best when dormant), and see if it has any side shoots. If it has, take a good sharp knife and cut a good chunk off, trying to get good roots with it. Pot-up in a basket and 'voilà', two plants, or even more if it has grown well.
Dorts.

[King Edward]

In answer to (b), the leaves will die in winter but the rhizome will be perfectly happy underwater, dormant until the spring. No need to do anything - water lilies are very tough, hardy plants. Only the pond surface should freeze, not all the water (unless the pond is really tiny, in which case this lily is probably too big for it).

[SOELEY]

Thank you both for you answers, just what i needed to know