Assessing the potential adaptability of water lilies (Nymphaea sp.) under arid climatic conditions

The arid climatic conditions of Kuwait limits the range of plant species exploited in landscaping and in such environments, water gardening, which is suitable for a variety of climates including the desert climate, becomes significant. Hence, the relative growth rate and adaptability of 15 imported cultivars of water lilies (Nymphaea sp.) were assessed at the Urban Demonstration Garden Site (UDG) of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). The cultivars were imported from Shanghai Xinhai Cultivation of Flowers Co., Ltd, China, and the experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. The cultivars were planted in one-gallon containers filled with sand:sphagnum peat moss (2:1 v/ v) and placed in pond compartments filled with fresh water. The periodic data on the number of leaves, petiole length, leaf width, leaf area index, and number of flowers of water lily cultivars were analyzed using the statistical procedure, R method. The results of the study were very promising, indicating that using water lilies for greenery enhancement and in landscape beautification projects in Kuwait is a viable option. All the introduced water lily varieties from China were found suitable for growing under the climatic conditions of Kuwait as evidenced by the data on growth rate and survival percentage. All of the varieties exhibited a positive growth rate during the summer season and their growth was drastically reduced during the winter season. Further studies on the performance of water lilies are required to ascertain the long-term impact of prevailing environmental conditions on their growth and contribution to visual appeal.