Nymphaea pygmaea planting technique....

[Joyce]

Sushi and I have been going back and forth via PM about this, so I promised pix so everyone could see.
Just before I left for TX, I planted my NP seeds that Sushi sent me.
I used a tablespoon of Osmocote on the bottom of a clear plastic cookie bin from Trader Joe's.
Then I added about 2" of my own compost, then used the mist setting on my garden hose to wet the soil until soggy.
Then I sprinkled the NP seeds on top of the soggy compost. Then I just barely covered the seeds with sand.
Then I misted it again until about 2" of water covered the surface.
Then plopped it on my bathroom windowsill, no heat, and covered loosely by the lid just to keep the cats and dust out.
Gets bright light/full sun through the frosted window.
When we got home Sunday night...I saw sprouts! 


All those little hairy things are sprouting NP seeds. 


It's sitting on a flat rock to make an level surface with the windowsill molding.

 

[gander]

The hard part I have is transplanting them. I usally have 100's coming up in my barrel but I dont seem to be able to transplant them very well. I have better luck with transplanting tropicals than Pygmaea

[Julles]

I hope they grow.  I really loved the pigmy pics someone posted last summer.

[tinkster]

I started some last year from seeds and it  even had one bloom the first year. They are so tiny.  Its amazing.  Cant wait to see what mine does this year.. They are coming up and looks to be 4 plants in the container.

Gander.. I planted my seeds in the butter bowl and after trying to transplant the first few, decided it would be impossible so i pulled all of them  but a few out of the butter bowl and let them grow there.. i knew I would never get them out to transplant.

tink

[PondmaninAL]

I planted some last week in an oil drain pan. I placed it on the corner of a shallow trough in a semi shady place. I check them every afternoon when I feed the fish and turtles.

[Joyce]

Scott, They need a lot more sun.

Gary, I transplant mine when they get pretty big.

 

[Vickie]

Joyce is this the same as tetragona from last year? Or different? I think my tetragona has survived the winter in one of my ponds.

[Joyce]

Craig Presnell said it wasnt N. tetragona but N. pygmaea.
I can't tell them apart, but Craig can. 
So yes, same plant but correct name, and yes it is VERY hardy.
(not a tropical)
And yes, they will blooms from seed the first year. 

[sushi]

Those look great Joyce.  Tinkster, you should get plenty if blooms this summer with 4 mature plants.  I think this could be my favorite lilly, if I had to pick 1 

[tinkster]

I am gonna trade off two of mine.  I hope it dont hurt them being so small.  They started growing and then its been consistently cold so they just stopped.  Here is pics of mine from last year for those that havent seen them.  That pot is about 6 inches wide across to give you perpective how small they are.

tink

[Kat]

Joyce--you certainly have the knack at getting things to grow 

Incredibly dainty.  Just may have to add one to my collection sometime. 

[Joyce]

More pix...








IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v389/SwimmingJewel/P1010852tet1.jpg[/IMG]



 

[Vickie]

I just love the tiny lilies. That is why I love N. minuta. But this one is very special too.

[tinkster]

I cant wait for mine to have more flowers... I only had the one last year.

joyce what is the floating plant in their with yours?

[Joyce]

It's a floating aquatic fern called Azolla. 

[sushi]

Awesome pictures!!!!!!!!!