Tropical division question (with updated pics)

[landey1230]

I read Sean's tutoral on this topic, but I'm left with a doubt.  The tuber didn't have any new growth under the division that I pinched off.  Is this normal?  Here's a picture of the tuber afterwards.  I would like to send the tuber to Tinkster, but only if it is healthy.  Does this look right?

[landey1230]

Sorry for the bad quality pics.  I need to update my camera with one of those Kat has. 

[Vickie]

If I see some roots still left on the tuber it is probably okay. Pinching plants off does not kill it unless you take too many off and don't grow at least one of them out on the tuber.. I think you can pinch about 4 or 5 off before it hurts the tuber. But Sean knows more about it.

[landey1230]

Those are roots coming out of the tuber.  Thanks for the help Vickie. 

[Kat]

Another way to get that tuber to sprout again is to put pond water in a baggie & then float the baggie in the pond.  I think the greenhouse effect helps boost growth.  More info can be found at Victoria Adventure website in the propagation section.

[Sean]

The tuber will produce more sprouts, it takes a few days, my tutorial did not mention it takes time from separation to actual new growth.

Cheers,
Sean

[Bonnie]

I have a heck of a time understanding tropical waterlilies!

I can grow them without any problem but when it comes to anything else I am lost.....


Kat that is nice to know because I had a couple of tubers that I put in a baggie of water this week as an experiment.  Will float in the pond now. I assume this is so they won't get too hot?

Thanks for the tips all.....

[Kat]

Here is that link:

http://www.victoria-adventure.org/waterlilies/tropicals_from_tuber.html

Bonnie--good thinking on the tubers in the baggie.  Yep, I think that is the reason.  I also will clip my viviparous pads off leaving about 5" of stem, add pond water to a big freezer zip baggie, blow it up full using a straw, seal, & then float.  This will help prompt the fuzzy node to grow faster into a small plant.  Keep an eye on the water as the pads decay the water will need to be refreshed.  I've tried Sean's grow light method but haven't been very successful with it.  The floating baggie in sunlight does better for me. 

[landey1230]

Sounds good.  Thanks everyone.  I think I'm getting the hang of this.  It is my first year working with tropicals. 

[landey1230]

I followed the instructions from the link Kat gave me.  I wrapped the tuber with a wet paper towel and placed it in a plastic bag.  Instead of floating it my pond, I placed the bag indoors next to my window.  The turorial mentioned waiting once temps were around 75.  Since it's averaging 113 here, I didn't think it would be safe.  Thanks to everyone's advice, it looks like the tuber will produce.  I have learned how to divide tropical water lilies.   Tinkster, I'm going to make it up to you.  I promise.

[Kat]

That is excellent.  I just may have to try the window/paper towel method myself.  I've got a basket full of unsprouted tubers.

In a prior post I had said that floating tubers weren't viable ... my error!  Found a floater today that had a sprout coming out of it & also Craig pointed out that floating tubers have air pockets in them in one of his posts at Koiphen.