Hardy lilies, when and how to prep for winter

[Tesla_HV]

In a few weeks, I expect we will have our first frost (northern Mass). How should I prepare my hardy water lilies for the winter? They already are showing signs of the upcoming cooler weather (smaller leaves, no blooms). If I were going to re-pot them, would it make sense to do this now or after the Spring thaw?

 

[twig]

Generally it's best to replant during the Spring for most potted plants. I've also heard of people repotting during the dorment period in/near winter but I've never done that myself.

Spring gives the plant plenty of time to store energy for the next winter.

 

[kcooley]

if you were to just put them in an aquarium indoors i dont think there would be any problem with doing it anytime between now and frost

 

[coupedefleur]

Spring is the best time to re-pot. I've had really good luck with my lillies since I started using plastic dishpans. Since they're such heavy feeders, I put an inch or two of composted chicken poop in the bottom with some lily tabs, followed with a couple inches of unscented cat litter (Hartz pH5), with a layer of sand on top of that. You can't do that with a mesh pot!

I don't have a deep pond, so when it starts really getting cold I trim off all the long-stemmed leaves and put them in storage tubs in an unheated basement (sometimes the water freezes) where they get a little light. Lillies put out little flimsy leaves near the crown of the plant, and these leaves tell the plant when springtime is coming. If I had a deeper pond, I'd probably just trim off all the long-stemmed leaves and put them back until the spring.

This is the first year I have a couple tropical lillies- I will need to treat them differently!

 

[Tesla_HV]

I put an inch or two of composted chicken poop in the bottom with some lily tabs, followed with a couple inches of unscented cat litter (Hartz pH5), with a layer of sand on top of that.

What purpose does the kitty litter serve?

 

[twig]

i think its just a substrate.