Tropical Waterlilies

[Gbarce]

Shot of the next leaf. These open up pretty rapidly. THis one should be even bigger.

Ari-- this is a very fun plant to grow. lots of OOOHs and AAAAHHHs. This will be great for your large track of land.

[Gbarce]

I got home a little bit early today and the sun was just setting.

Getting out of the car I smelled the scent of pineapples in the air. I immediately had to inspect the big pond-- it could only mean one thing-- the victoria was going to bloom.

This a smaller plant with a bud that was still compact and tight

[Gbarce]

THis was the bud that was giving off the scent

[Gbarce]

THis was at about 6:30 pm

[Gbarce]

The same bud at around 8:00 pm

[Gbarce]

My shoe for scale = size 8 1/2 US size

[ariscott]

I am so jealous. Do they set seeds for you so you can plant them again next year? Or do you have to get more seeds every year?

BTW, just found a source of bentonite the other day for our dam. It might not be as expensive as we first thought... so we shall see whether finance wills stretch that far...

Regards, Ari

[Gbarce]

If you pollinate them they usually produce lots of seed. I don't know how to store them for future germination though. I usually just germinate them immediately and so the cycle goes on and on and on.

But the seeds seem to have a timing mechanism-- some will germinate immediately, others months later and I have read that some will germinate even years later.

They have to be consistently wet though or else they lose viability.

[Gbarce]

Day 2 for the flower-- they turn pink. THis will be the last time they open.

[Gbarce]

Here's a closer shot. But it was pretty dark already.

[Gbarce]

THis flower is from another Victoria. Its on its first day and was a lot closer to teh shore so I got a better angle on it.

[Gbarce]

One of the fun things about growing Victorias is trying to see what you can float on top of one of the fully grown leaves.

THis is "Tricks" my dad's Jack Russel terrier puppy

[ariscott]

I want to see you on it, Gene...

Regards, Ari