"Summer is here, don't we need to bulk order some aquatic flowers to plant?" "The few pots of lotus flowers I bought last year grew really well, and I want to get some more water lilies this year." "It's not just lotus and water lilies; there are actually many more types of aquatic flowers! I want to plant some new varieties." This is a post I recently saw on a gardening forum of a major portal site. The post suggesting a collective purchase of aquatic flowers received over a hundred replies in just one day, with some asking about types, others about prices, and some discussing the difficulty of cultivation, making the forum bustling with activity. I also saw similar situations on other gardening forums. It's evident that the current trend of aquatic ornamental flowers is on the rise, becoming a new force among ornamental plants.
Aquatic plant landscapes can evoke a sense of freshness and comfort, making them a key component of garden and courtyard water features. In traditional Chinese gardens, lotus flowers and water lilies are commonly used. However, as mentioned by the above netizen, the variety of aquatic flowers extends beyond these traditional choices. With technological advancements and increased demand for ornamental plants, more beautiful aquatic species have been domesticated and are gradually joining the ranks of ornamentals. The uses of aquatic flowers are no longer confined to garden landscape construction; many hotels, restaurants, and office buildings have also established small water features, and some flower enthusiasts even cultivate a few at home. In the sweltering summer, these "water flowers" bring a refreshing breeze.
Aquatic ornamental flowers are gaining popularity, prompting some companies to see the business opportunity in this sector and collaborate with research institutions for new variety development. Chongqing Dafu Yameijia Aquatic Flower Co., Ltd. partnered with Southwest Agricultural University in 2003 to establish the China Western Lotus Germplasm Resource Garden, which has become the university's aquatic flower research and teaching base. Currently, the company's base spans 560 acres, cultivating over 500 varieties of precious lotus, water lilies, and other aquatic flowers. Nanjing Yilian Garden, in collaboration with Nanjing Agricultural University, Zhongshan Botanical Garden, and the China Lotus Research Center, among other domestic research departments, is engaged in a series of aquatic flower research projects. They have also established a 1-hectare lotus variety resource garden and a 1-hectare cold-resistant and tropical water lily variety resource garden.
Currently, the market offers a variety of aquatic ornamental flowers beyond lotus and water lilies, including pickerel weed, water poppy, giant knotweed, reed canary grass, water caltrop, lotus root, sedge, papyrus, and water celery. When selecting species of aquatic flowers, it's important to choose appropriate types based on the local environment. Most aquatic flowers require ample sunlight, good ventilation, and clean water, with varying depth requirements depending on the species. For large garden landscapes, the majority of aquatic flowers are suitable, primarily found in waters ranging from 1 to 2 meters deep. For indoor shallow planting troughs, consider small emergent and floating plants, ideally in waters 30 to 80 centimeters deep. For indoor home appreciation, you can also opt for species with wetland habits, which only need shallow waters of 5 to 30 centimeters, such as papyrus and aquatic irises.
Choosing the right vessel for cultivating aquatic ornamental flowers at home is also quite important. A beautiful flower paired with a lovely vase enhances its观赏 value. However, the majority of containers used for cultivating aquatic flowers domestically are traditional lotus pots, which can be somewhat outdated in design. Young consumers, on the other hand, are looking for innovative vase designs on the market. This calls for domestic enterprises to keep pace with consumer preferences.