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Propagation, Culture, And Winter CareBest time to propagatePropagation by RunnerPropagating the Tropicals>Viviparous reproductionChain Propagation From TubersWintering the TropicalsSeveral forms of tropical water-lilies have the mysterious faculty called viviparity, the ability to bear their young alive. A new baby water-lily brought forth by viviparous reproduction is a sight that no flower-lover will forget, and every water gardener should have at least one "vivip," as we in the trade call it.
As the leaf of a viviparous water-lily becomes mature, a discolored
Reproduction of Young Viviparous Plant from Center of Leaf.
In the meantime, the tiny plant develops a small tuber and root system, out of sight, on the underside of the leaf.
It is easy to nurse these miniatures to maturity. Simply pluck off a plant-bearing leaf and spread it flat on a pot of saturated earth, pinning the leaf in place with pieces of twig. By the time the big leaf has decomposed, the little plant will have established itself as a healthy, growing tropical, ready for planting in the pool. Those tropical species which are viviparous are somewhat smaller in growth than the others. However, they have been crossed with a number of the larger hybrids, so that now we have several viviparous hybrids of tremendous size. The viviparous forms are a problem. The dozens of small plants born in your pool in a single blooming season will be far too numerous for the space. And they will be far too pretty to throw away. The only consolation I can offer is that nobody else knows what to do with them either. Continue to Chain Propagation From Tubers |
Planning Your Pond |
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