all those floating leaves...

[oddsoxdi]

Hello. Several of my planted bulbs have sent up these really long stems of both leaves and a few flowers to the surface. Yesterday I noticed one of my Tiger Lotus bulbs was doing the same. Does this indicate light levels that are too low? Can I prune these? They're mostly ugly besides shading the plants below. Why did the plants do this? How can I prevent it from happening again? Is it a bad thing?

All the plants are healthy and happy in a 20 gal long.

Thank you for any input on this.

Diane

 

[Quartermain]

What you're describing is completely normal. Water lilies (Nymphaea) have floating leaves, submerged leaves and flower stalks. Keeping the floaters trimmed will not hurt the plant and will force it to budget more energy to the submerged leaves keeping them large and lush. But at the same time you may never see it flower, which is gorgeous. So there is a trade off.

 

[midiamin]

Not necessary to trade off. Let your bottom leaf get to the size you like and then allow the pad to go to the surface. It will flower then and you still have that lush beautiful leaf submerged.

 

[destined_love7]

Did you get them from Wal-Mart? They had some bulbs and the pictures are pretty. Was thinking about getting some.

 

[oddsoxdi]

No these were the three pack of a supposed mixture at Petco. I was lucky enough to have not only three Lotuses, but three Lotuses with leaves of three different colors, ANNNND they all three germinated and are thriving! Pardon me while I gloat jut a little.

D