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Wintering Plants Indoors

© Marie A. Miczak

In areas with freezing temperatures, many are greatly dismayed to see plants in their pond dying. While some may be able to winter over outdoors, many water gardeners enjoy using non-hardy tropical plants because of their quickness to grow and interesting foliage and/or blooms. Unfortunately, some didn't realize the plants they had been growing were indeed tropical or subtropical. Here is a list of commonly sold and planted tropical aquatic plants:

• Tropical Water Lilies are likely the most blatant. Gardeners love to grow these day and night bloomers which come in many bright and showy colors. Tropical Water lilies like temperatures in the 70's and will go into shock when the water cools. Many people move them to an aquarium tank or place them in a tub with a bit of water for storage in their basement or garage. Using grow lights may be of benefit.
• Floating Plants that will die off in winter include Azolla which seems to disappear in late summer, duck weed, water hyacinths and water snowflake (also known as floating heart). Small plants such as duckweed and miniature water hyacinths can be kept indoors in an aquarium.
• Bog Plants such a tero, lucky bamboo, papyrus, rain / bog lily (Crinum), water canna, parrots feather, spider lily, arrowhead and miniature bamboo will not make it if left outdoors. Most can be made into lovely houseplants and since they love water, you won't have to fear over watering them. Make sure they have plenty of sun, with the exception of the lucky bamboo, and their water is changed to prevent stagnation and algae growth.

When wintering plants, your goal is to allow them to become dormant and stop putting on new growth. You simply want them to survive and then put on new growth when they are transplanted back into the pond. Bulb plants such as canna should be removed from the water and stored in a cool, dark place in order create a rest period. Many people use fluorescent lights, 18 inches or less over the tops of plants being wintered indoors with the lights kept on for 12 to 18 hours at a time. In order to help stop evaporation of water, clear plastic and be used to create a tent or green house over the tub of plants. Other plants like water lilies should be sunk to the bottom of the pond to prevent freezing.

-MAM
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