Author Topic: super cheap water lillies (Read 1978 times)

Jerry · « **on:** March 17, 2016, 11:05:04 PM »

This may not work at all, but for 7.95 it will be fun to try. I bought a bag of maybe 20 Lilly bulbs at an Asian Market. Most have green sprouts coming up.
Since the turtles ate all my plants I am trying these in a big galvanized tub. Why? Just for fun. I will post pix so you can see.

dperry · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2016, 07:51:42 AM »

Turtles do a number on water lilies, eating them down to the pot level. That's why I eventually built a separate lily pool for growing lilies. It takes water from the bottom of the pond and serves as a settling tank for detritus. It also is isolated from the turtles. Now, I have my turtles and my water lilies. The only problem I have with it is goldfish eggs get sucked up into the lily pool where there are no predators and in the fall I have a bunch of young goldfish to get rid of.

Jerry · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2016, 09:32:33 AM »

way to go Don! My ambition is gone.

Vickie · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2016, 04:03:42 PM »

hope they do well for you

Jerry · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2016, 04:37:30 PM »

Photos in a few days! They are doing well, but I am not sure they are lilies! The leaf is arrow shaped! Still attractive though!
I did buy then in the produce dept. of an Asian market, so no complaints. The bulbs or tubers are edible.
No matter what its fun!!

Bob_A · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2016, 07:32:04 PM »

Arrowhead?

matherfish · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2016, 08:04:54 PM »

Some tropical lily leaves are arrow shaped when small and newly formed, especially night bloomers. Were they advertised as lily tubers?

Jerry · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2016, 10:11:30 PM »

not sure exactly, but I remember water lilies a big bag for 7.95
Arrowhead maybe. Ill take pix tomorrow after the dentist!

Bob_A · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2016, 12:49:03 PM »

People eat arrowhead.

http://thewoksoflife.com/2015/02/braised-pork-belly-arrowhead-root/

Jerry · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2016, 02:22:26 PM »

Great post Bob!
Here is a photo I suspect it is arrowhead, you tell me.
The ones in the tub on patio have just broken the surface. The ones in the photo are in much warmer water in the greenhouse. They clearly like it warm.

matherfish · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2016, 02:33:11 PM »

Those are arrowhead, not lilies.

Jerry · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2016, 03:31:18 PM »

yep I figured it out. The sign in produce said "water Lillie's" anyway they are thriving, how will the turtles like 'em?

Bob_A · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2016, 05:25:59 PM »

Do the turtles like Asian food?

Jerry · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2016, 10:27:17 PM »

wrong question it should be "Do Asians like eating turtles?"
answer: YES :'( :'(

matherfish · « **Reply #14 on:** April 10, 2016, 08:55:28 PM »

Sounds like a mutual admiration society.

Jerry · « **Reply #15 on:** April 11, 2016, 02:40:47 PM »

discovered the "bulb" in the pond today, they ate ever last bit but that,
Frank, admiration beats the alternative.

matherfish · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2016, 03:10:48 PM »

I would guess it does, Jerry!

Jerry · « **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2016, 06:31:22 PM »

the El Cheapo bulbs matured not bad for 7.95

Jerry · « **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2016, 06:33:37 PM »

not bad for 7.95

Bob_A · « **Reply #19 on:** May 05, 2016, 08:07:49 PM »

They should flower for you.

Jerry · « **Reply #20 on:** May 05, 2016, 11:29:43 PM »

i didn't know they do. I look forward to it. I know they are not lillies.

Bob_A · « **Reply #21 on:** May 06, 2016, 07:05:39 AM »

Arrowhead, they'll have white and yellow flowers.

Jerry · « **Reply #22 on:** May 06, 2016, 07:50:58 AM »

PHOTOS WHEN IT HAPPENS!

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #23 on:** May 11, 2016, 04:04:10 PM »

When you bought these bulbs were they round and smooth with a small dried shoot end? That would be an arrowhead bulb. Improper name if lily bulb. And the edible lily bulbs almost look like a garlic clove without the papery skin.

Cool how you grow arrowhead though. Do you see more bulbs growing too. They are delish!

Jerry · « **Reply #24 on:** May 11, 2016, 11:36:45 PM »

yes Annette we know they are not lilies. Arrowhead for sure! Bob says i will have blossoms too.
Got them at the Ranch mkt here in the valley. There are many Ranch markets