If you visit the countryside of Bengal, you will find fragrant water lilies (Nymphaea odorata) in abundance. In lake, pond, canals, everywhere, where they get a chance to survive. In fact they propagated so fast and easily, they are almost, impossible to

kill and come under the category of water weed. Water lilies flowered throughout the year, but in our place from February to April they flowered more profusely. A pond, full of water lilies with large pink blooms, standing erectly on their stock is a beautiful sight. They have nearly round large floating green leaves, with the stem attached in the center. Leaves also have a cut from center to edge. Two other flower colors, blue and white, can be seen here. But, it is the showy pink one, I was interested with.

I was visiting a village a few years back and there I saw a pond with full of Deep pink water lilies. And I thought; why not try this in a water tub? So I got a bagful of them. I planted each plant in a clay tub, with only 18 inches deep. After some days, I noticed old leaves are drying and new smaller leaves are emerging. I was very happy then, as I thought that, now my plant would be alive and I will see those pink flowers in my own garden. But to my horror, after some few weeks, I noticed the plants are dying. I did everything to save the plants, but to no avail. So I emptied the tub in my garden and got busy in my other jobs. Mind it that was the month of April. Here, in my place monsoon normally start at mid-June. But that year monsoon was late, it started end of the June. One fine day in end July, when I was taking rounds of the stock in my garden, I noticed some small plants in a water-logged place, which I remembered that I have emptied my tub. These small plants do look like water lilies but with very small leaves. So keeping my finger crossed, I again planted them in those same tubs. And after some weeks, EUREKA, the plants appeared with larger leaves and same features of water lily. By that time, my pond was also ready, so I shifted the whole tub inside my pond in three feet depth. After two months, those same showy pink blooms started appearing in my own garden. Now, I also have a white one and a blue one, which are less flowering types.

Now I know, Water lilies are very easy to grow and you have to be crafty to kill them. They are prone to disease and pests. Water lilies can be propagated by two procedures, by seeds and by rhizomes. The flower bloom for three to four days, and after that the stalk coiled and pulled it under water. The flower is a daytime bloomer. Petals started opening in dawn and in the afternoon, it closes. It has got a slight fragrance, hence the name Nymphaea Odorata. It is an ideal pond plant if cultivated in a controlled way, giving shade to the water body and fish. But if unchecked, it will form a mat over the top and will de-oxygenate the water. Every four to five year, take out the old plant and wash in water thoroughly. With a sharp knife, divide the rhizomes. Plant them in normal garden soil and your new plant is ready.