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Problems with the Viviparous Form
Several 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. Every water gardener should have at least one "vivip," as known in the trade. As the leaf of a viviparous water lily becomes mature, a discolored bump forms at the umbilicus, the point where leaf and stem join. The bump breaks after a few days, and tiny, perfectly proportioned leaves begin to form and develop, sometimes growing to the size of silver dollars. On some varieties, a perfectly formed miniature of the parent bloom unfolds.
Winter Care
Storing the roots of Hardies and Tropicals in winter is a simple and uncomplicated business, but some precaution is necessary. Find a place for the water lilies in a storeroom or cellar corner that is cool and dry. Remember that rats and mice love the roots, so either keep your premises free of the pests or store the roots in metal containers. If you store them dry, remember to perforate the containers to allow some air circulation.
There are several ways of carrying hardies through the winter. Most gardeners simply remove whatever stones and bricks they have placed underneath the planting receptacles so as to let the boxes rest on the pool floor. Here they will be well below the frost line in most parts of the country and will safely survive the winter. Roots of the Hardies are not harmed unless actually frozen solidly in ice.
If the frost line goes dangerously low in your part of the country, play safe by covering the pool with boards. Then cover the boards with leaves, evergreen boughs, straw or any other convenient insulation. You can also winter the roots of Hardies inside. Take them out of the planting boxes, wash them, trim off excess root and stems, and store in clean, damp sand.