The winter of 2009 was unusually cool in Florida. Consequently the Victorias got a slow start. Plants are started from seed in January and are ready to bloom around May. Finally by mid June the leaves began to grow. Due to this slow start, one of my plants was not sold. I decided it would be an excellent opportunity to increase my own experience with the Vic.
The community where I live has a large lake in the center so an owner was contacted to see if they would be interested in adopting a very large plant. They were and I moved the Vic to their lake.
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Notice in the picture above the leaves are flat and have not developed the characteristic pie crust edge.
On June 19, 2009 I lifted the 1 gallon pot from my pond and transplanted it into a 30 gallon pot with about a quart of Nutricote 360 fertilizer. I drove the garden tractor and trailer containing the Vic to our neighbors.
Their son graciously moved the pot into the water.
Just a little over 2 weeks and the leaves have grown to at least 3 feet across and the first flower bloomed today - June 30, 2009. Notice the pie crust edge has developed.
A pink second day flower. July 14.
Picture taken July 24. The leaves are now close to five feet across.
You will notice a lot of duck week in this lake. Not a pretty picture! The plant has drawn a lot of attention from members of our association and they are now talking about what could be done to beautify this area.
If you would like to have a "Vic" experience, contact us for details. I have access to one Vic at the present time. The catch is that you must help get it out of a pond and move it to your location.
