Cultivation
The water lily may be grown in a small container (approximately 10 gallon capacity plastic basin, pail, or wide mouth cement or clay jar) or be made to colonize a pond. It only takes two months for a single water lily plant to colonize a 200 square meter pond during the summer months.
Water lilies are best exposed to bright sunlight. This will result in vigorous growth and flowers. Clay soil also promotes the healthy growth of water lilies. Clay from rice fields, termite mounds, or the bottoms of ponds should be ideal. As much as possible, avoid soil with very high organic matter to prevent water mold from attacking the seeds or young plants.
A grower can use a plastic pail or basin or better yet, a wide cemented pot. Add about three inches of clay soil and then fill it up with water. Seeds or young plants can be planted in the artificial pond.
The worst pest for water lilies is the golden snail, which is also a pest for rice. They usually attack the leaves and can defoliate your plants in a matter of days. They can be controlled by hand picking if they are only a few, or with snail bait. Thrips are also a problem usually during the end of summer, and they can be controlled through the application of appropriate insecticides.
Ref: dailyinquirer
