In a milestone event marking its 59-year history, the Biology Greenhouse Complex at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is now home to a stunning bloom of the Victoria amazonica water lily.
Originating from the tropical regions of South America, particularly Guyana and the Amazon basin, this water lily is renowned as the second largest of its kind globally. Despite its native habitat, cultivating the Victoria amazonica in Southern California presents significant challenges.
Over the past three months, Edward Read, the greenhouse manager at CSUF, undertook meticulous efforts to encourage the lily to blossom. This dedication culminated in success just last week, marking a breakthrough after three unsuccessful attempts dating back to 2012.
The endeavor was supported by seeds sourced from Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania and benefited from the collaborative expertise of colleagues such as Chris Barnhill, former curator of the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at CSUF, and Dylan Hannon from Huntington Botanic Gardens. Together, they meticulously calibrated the environment to foster optimal conditions for the lily’s growth.
“The temperature of the water, the clay soil, and the compost all synergized to create a nurturing environment for this remarkable plant,” remarked Read.
Growing within a custom-made pond framed by cement cinder blocks outside the greenhouse, the Victoria amazonica flourished with large, round, and spiny leaves, the largest measuring an impressive 37 inches in diameter.
Edward Read is celebrated for his expertise in cultivating rare and exotic flora at CSUF. Notably, he has previously showcased the rare corpse flower, Amorphophallus titanum, known for its massive inflorescence, on the university campus.
“I relish new challenges,” Read shared. “After successfully nurturing the corpse flower through about two dozen blooms, I sought another ambitious project. Cultivating this water lily appealed to me not only for its technical difficulty but also because I wanted to offer students the chance to marvel at something rare and beautiful.”
The successful bloom of the Victoria amazonica at CSUF’s Biology Greenhouse Complex stands as a testament to the dedication and expertise of its caretakers, enriching the university’s botanical legacy and educational mission.
