The Idea

Instead of relying entirely on commercial aquatic fertilizers, I experimented with a natural approach using:

Kitchen vegetable waste
Dried leaves and spent flowers offered for god
Garden soil
Sunlight and time

The goal was to create a slow-release nutrient reservoir that would support long-term lily growth.

Step 1: Building the Base

I started with a large tub and added:

Vegetable kitchen scraps
Dried plant material
Old flowers and garden debris

I collected majorly the flowers offered to god and collected until it filled 1/4 th of the tub

These materials formed the organic base layer.

Step 2: Covering With Soil

After collecting and adding the organic material, I covered everything with some heavy garden soil.

The soil layer serves several purposes:

Reduces nutrient leaching
Prevents floating organic matter
Creates a stable rooting environment
Encourages slow decomposition underneath

Note: Dont just add the soil, First mix it well with the soil and then top-up with the soil. Top-up until the half or little more than half volume of the tub is reached.

At this stage, the tub was left undisturbed. Daily sprinkle little water on the top of the soil.

Step 3: Three Weeks of Composting

The setup was allowed to sit for approximately three weeks.

During this period:

Organic matter began decomposing
Beneficial microbial activity increased
Nutrients started becoming available
The mix became more stable

I occasionally checked the soil.

The signs that the mixture was ready were:

Earthy smell
Uniform appearance
Heavy, sticky texture
No foul odor

Step 4: Adding Water

Once the soil stabilized, I filled the tubs with water.

Rather than planting immediately, I left the tubs under direct sunlight for another two weeks.

This allowed:

Water conditions to stabilize
Remaining decomposition to settle
Soil particles to compact naturally

Note: When adding water place a plastic bag on the surface of the mix and gently fill it with slow pressure water until it reaches full volume of the tub.

Patience during this stage proved very important.

Step 5: Planting the Lilies

After the tubs matured, I planted the water lilies. The plant should be planted at the center of the tub.

Initially, the plants focused on:

Root establishment
Leaf production
Adaptation to the new environment

The first blooms were not perfect, but the plants quickly recovered and began producing healthy flowers.

Results

The results exceeded my expectations.

Today the lilies:

Produce regular blooms
3-5 flower blooms a day
Develop healthy floating leaves
Show strong root growth
Thrive without intensive maintenance

Several varieties are now growing successfully, including:

White tropical lilies
Hybridised Pink tropical lilies (Jaadu)
Double-flowered hybridised variety (Royal Sunset)
Deep-colored tropical cultivar (Redella)

What I Learned

1. Time Matters

The most important ingredient was patience.

Allowing the soil and organic material to stabilize before planting made a huge difference.

2. Healthy Soil Creates Healthy Blooms

The rich organic base continues to provide nutrients long after planting.

3. Sunlight Is Essential

The tubs receive full sunlight for most of the day (6-8 hrs), which encourages strong growth and flowering.

4. Avoid Disturbing Established Plants

Once the lilies settle, it is best to leave the soil undisturbed and allow the plants to develop naturally.

Final Thoughts

This project began as an experiment using household waste and garden debris. It eventually turned into a thriving rooftop water lily collection and a self-sustaining mini-ecosystem.

With a little preparation, patience and sunlight, it is possible to create productive water lily tubs using simple materials that would otherwise be discarded.

Sometimes the best growing medium is already available in your own backyard.