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Nymphaea Lactea - Waterlily

Nymphaea Lactea
Water lily

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A medium-sized water lily that produces single flowers with cups measuring 10-12 cm, with wide, porcelain white petals, washed with green and pink at the base. Its round leaves are much larger than the flowers and emerge coloured reddish-brown, then turn green with red edges. This variety is suitable for medium-sized ponds or containers, its rootstocks should be planted at a depth of 40 to 80 cm. This is a collector's waterlily, not very floriferous, but truly refined.
Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to June
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Description

Nymphaea 'Lactea' is a beautiful, medium-sized variety of hardy water lily that will delight collectors with a very simple, yet remarkable, opalescent flower. The plant is not very floriferous, but each flower is worth waiting for. The leaves of this water lily range from reddish-brown to green with a red border and are well grouped and decorative throughout the season. This variety deserves to be showcased in a small pond near the house.

The hybrid water lily 'Lactea' is a horticultural creation by Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac (France) dating back to 1907. It is an aquatic perennial with deciduous foliage that belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. This plant develops numerous floating leaves from spring, measuring 16 to 18 cm in diameter in mature plants. The leaves are round with 2 lobes sometimes overlapping. When young, they are reddish-brown, then turn green with a red border. The plant has medium vigour and spreads over 75 to 90 cm. The not very abundant flowering usually begins in June and continues until September. The cup-shaped flowers measure between 10 and 12 cm in diameter. Their petals are surprisingly wide and have a light pink hue at the base. The flower is set in green sepals, and the centre is adorned with bright yellow stamens. These flowers are usually floating but occasionally bloom at the top of short peduncles just above the surface. They open during the day and close in the evening. Each flower lives for 4 to 5 days before wilting and receding underwater to be replaced by another flower. The flowering is followed by fruits containing numerous seeds. The fruit ripens underwater and releases floating seeds that will eventually sink and germinate in the mud. Water lilies are hardy as long as their rhizome does not freeze in winter. It is important to ensure that the water does not freeze at the depth where they are planted.

Choose varieties of water lilies that are easy, hardy, and floriferous, and above all, ones that are proportionate to your pond. Water lilies with their perfectly shaped flowers are among the most beautiful perennial pond plants. Most of them bloom for long weeks, until early autumn. The water lily is an essential aquatic plant for maintaining the balance of a garden pond, as it contributes to the oxygenation of the water. Its floating leaves provide shade and shelter for your fish, which in turn protect them from predatory insects such as aphids.

The genus name comes from the Greek nymphaia and the Latin name nymphaea, which means "water lily", inspired by the nymphs of Greek and Latin mythology. Nymphaea bears flowers that are sometimes diurnal, sometimes nocturnal, and occasionally fragrant.

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Product reference21251

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Planting and care

The rhizome of the 'Lactea' water lily should be planted from March to June at a depth of 40 to 80 cm. Plant the rhizomes of hardy water lilies in good garden soil, rich in clay or silt and free of stones (never use horticultural compost, as it is too rich and promotes the growth of algae). Give them the sunniest spot in the water feature. Space each rhizome at least 1 m apart and plant them by inserting them vertically into the soil up to the base of the leaves. In a natural water feature (pond or lake), make sure that the water level remains fairly stable and that the water is neither too acidic nor too alkaline (desired pH between 6.5 and 7.5).

The rhizomes can be planted in a wicker basket or a fine mesh basket that is sunk in the desired location. For classic hardy water lilies, use a pot with a diameter of 40 cm (wider than it is tall). If the bottom is muddy, simply attach a stone to the rhizome and throw the whole thing to the desired location. Never leave the Nymphaea rhizomes exposed to the sun or air, to prevent them from drying out; plant them as soon as you receive or purchase them.

If you have fish in your pond, it is best to spread a layer of coarse gravel on the surface of the planted pot to deter them from digging into the soil and thus fouling the water. Water lilies will grow best if they are planted in containers suitable for their growth.

Water lilies are hungry plants so distribute a balanced slow-release fertiliser at planting, and then every year at the beginning of the growing season (for example: Osmocote 10-11-18-2 with a duration of 5-6 months). During the summer, remove any leaves that grow in excessive numbers in the centre of the clump, leaving only the most vigorous ones. Also remove any yellowed or stained leaves, as well as emerging aquatic "weeds".

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