[Minsc]

I purchased a Nymphaea micranthra plant from an established, respected vendor a week ago. The bulb seems a decent size, but all the leaves and roots died in transit. Now I'm not sure which side should be planted downwards, and it keeps floating out of the substrate every night. It has been a week, and there are no signs of regrowth.

I have never dealt with bulb plants before, so I don't know what to expect. How deep do I plant it? How long until it starts growing again? Should a bulb plant be floating, I would expect it to sink...

Thanks for any help.

 

[Cavan Allen]

When in doubt, sideways.

Does it feel mushy at all? If not, you should be OK, even though I'd think it would sink too. At least in my experience they do.

 

[Tex Gal]

If it won't sink just let it float. If it's alive it will eventually sprout. It doesn't have to be planted to sprout.

 

[Minsc]

Thanks for the replies! I'll check for mushiness tomorrow, I think it is still quite firm.
I guess I'll just let it do it's thing, and hopefully there will be some sprouting soon.

In case this one doesn't make it, are yours still reproducing TG?

 

[Tex Gal]

Yes, I have a little one that came out of the middle of the leaf. I stuck it in the soild as the leaf began to deteriorate (so strange as the leaves don't usually do this.) It's doing fine.

 

[Minsc]

In case anyone was wondering, I took TexGal's advice and let the bulb float. Within a couple days, it sprouted a root, and then a leaf a few days after that. Now I have an adorable ultra-mini lily!