Sea jug, Nymphoides peltata – care information

The resemblance to the water lily is mainly limited to the optics. Botanically, there is no relationship between the two aquatic plant species. In fact, the sea urchin is not nearly as prone to rampant growth as a water lily and can linger in the pond through the winter due to its robust hardiness.

location

If the body of water is in a sunny and warm place, the sea jug will feel comfortable. In partially shaded locations, the aquatic plant also unfolds its visual and practical benefits perfectly. On the other hand, cultivation in the shade of a cool pond is not advisable, since neither the flower nor the leaves covered with hydropots can develop.

soil and water depth

A Nymphoides peltata anchors itself firmly in the ground with its strong rhizomes, while its floating leaves sway on meter-long tendrils on the water. Consequently, the focus is not only on the soil, but also on the water quality and depth when it comes to offering the sea jug the ideal home. It depends on these criteria:

• Boggy to boggy soil
• Humic and rich in nutrients
• Lime-free, soft water
• Water depths from 10 cm to 1 meter

You can settle the sea jug in the swampy shore area, where the water depth is 10 cm. Of course, don’t be surprised if the unconventional aquatic plant migrates to the best possible location on its own over the course of time. Experience has shown that the preferred location is in medium to deep pond regions.

Fertilize

The sea urn gets its nutrients from two sources. The rhizomes root through the humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil, which serves as a transshipment point in the pond for dead plant parts and microorganisms as well as fish droppings. In addition, the leaves also absorb plenty of nutrients via their integrated hydropots and store them in the plant pathways and roots. In an ecologically balanced body of water, a permanent supply is provided by nature. A supply of fertilizer, as with garden plants, is usually not necessary. If there are symptoms of deficiency, there are usually other causes behind them, such as a shady location or hard water. Eliminating these triggers for yellowed leaves, stunted buds and sluggish growth In this exceptional case, a special plant fertilizer for pond plants should be administered. Once the sea jug recovers, discontinue the supplemental nutrient feed so as not to encourage algae growth.

To cut

If the Nymphoides finds the best basic conditions, in combination with professional care, it will show rapid growth. Careful pruning will direct growth in the desired direction. How to do it right:

• Regularly clean withered leaves and flowers
• Corrective cuts are easily possible during the summer
• Cut off shoots that are too long with sharp, disinfected scissors or a knife

Since the sea jug is one of the deciduous aquatic plants, the withered leaves should be cut off in good time so that they do not later float around on the water and affect the quality. If self-sowing is not desired, cut off the flowers in good time before seed heads form.

hibernate

The European sea urchin is fully hardy. In autumn it sheds its leaves and completely retires. The strong rhizomes overwinter in the ground, only to sprout again the following spring. Therefore, no special precautions need to be taken for specimens in large ponds. If, on the other hand, a Nymphoides peltata acts as a natural filter and sun protection in a mini or patio pond, the following measures are advisable before the first frost:

• Relocate the mobile pond system to a bright, frost-free winter quarters
• Get the sea jug with the plant basket out of the water from immovable small bodies of water
• Fill a large bucket or mason’s vat with a boggy, nutrient-rich substrate and low-lime water
• Put the aquatic plants in it so that they can be cleared out again in good time in spring

If there are still shoots and leaves on the plant before moving to the winter quarters, these are cut off. Only the rhizomes overwinter in water with a temperature of around 5 degrees Celsius. Neither the water nor the air temperature should rise above 10 degrees, so that the sea jug does not sprout prematurely.

multiply

Once you start cultivating a sea jug, there is no need to purchase additional specimens. The plant provides not only the seeds but also plenty of material for vegetative propagation. Both methods of offspring are presented in more detail below:

division

Spring, when this year’s budding has not yet started, is the ideal time for dividing the rhizomes. To do this, get the sea jug out of the pond in its basket. The root ball is loosened with the hand or digging fork. Then cut off several rhizome parts with a freshly sharpened, disinfected knife or scissors. A root strand suitable for propagation is 10-20 cm long and has at least two eyes. Proceed with these steps:

• Dust the cuts on the mother plant and the rhizome pieces with charcoal powder
• Place each segment in its own plant basket filled with a boggy, loamy substrate
• Fix the potting soil with a layer of pebbles or expanded clay

Place the young plants in a semi-shady location in the shallow water zone while they are rooting. Following this transition phase, the sea jugs change to their actual place in the water as soon as the stems have developed well. Alternatively, you can leave the choice of location to your pets, because Nymphoides peltata tend to find their favorite spot in the pond on their own.

sowing

The Seekanne is a self-confident water beauty that not only chooses its preferred spot and wanders there. It also has a sophisticated system for generative propagation. If you give the plant free rein, the ripe fruits release ciliated seeds in autumn. These are not only able to fly, but are also able to swim due to small air chambers. There are thus several distribution routes for the seed available. Irrespective of this, you are free to grow more sea candies by means of targeted sowing. The best chance of success is in the protected environment behind glass. Here’s how to do it:

• Fill a watertight bowl with bog soil or slightly acidic seed soil
• Scatter the seeds on top and cover 1-2 cm thick with substrate
• Fill up with lime-free water so that the soil is about 1 cm under water
• Place in a semi-shady window seat for 2-4 weeks at 18 to 22 degrees Celsius

If germination does not start within this time, the seeds require a cold stimulus. In winter, place the seed pot on the balcony for 4-6 weeks, protected with a transparent lid. Alternatively, the sowing spends this period in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator at 0 to 4 degrees Celsius. The young plants are transplanted into individual pots when they have at least 2 pairs of leaves. From April/May put the sea jugs in their place in the pond, ideally in the plant basket for effective growth and spread control.

pests

When a sea jug is similar to a water lily, it’s not just the human observer who falls for it when it’s not in bloom. The water lily aphids also do not distinguish between the two aquatic plants. Especially in warm, sunny weather, the pests attack the leaves and buds to suck out the plant sap. Do not wait until your Nymphoides peltata is covered with black lice, but act as follows at the first symptoms:

• Spray the infected sea urn daily with a hard jet of water
• Continue this treatment until no more lice are seen
• Use Neudorff horsetail extract as an environmentally friendly control agent

A high infestation pressure leads to the following, somewhat more complex control of aphids on an aquatic plant. Cover the leafy tendrils of a seapot with cardboard or newspaper. Then spray the pests with a neem-containing preparation from a specialist shop or the classic soft soap solution. Especially with a stock of fish, it should be ensured that the agents do not or only minimally get into the pond water.

Conclusion
Summer perpetual bloomer and hard worker for the best water quality. With these attributes, the sea jug has established itself as indispensable for the private water garden. No complex cultivation is required so that its distinctive yellow star-shaped flowers form a dense carpet and the leaves perfectly fulfill their function as a filter station. If the body of water is in a sunny to semi-shady location, offers nutrient-rich soil and low-lime water quality, the Nymphoides peltata is in top form. With its numerous hydropots, the decorative buckthorn plant filters excess nutrients and pollutants out of the water. Regularly thinned out, trimmed into shape in the spring and fertilized a little in the event of deficiency symptoms, pond owners have a good laugh, because there is not a trace of algae anywhere.