Transplanting water lillies?

I have a 140 gal. pond and friend gave us 3 water lilies that she had in her pond and no longer wants but they are HUGE they totally out grew there pots and the roots are al sticking out. How do I repot them? Can I just use dirt and cover with rocks or do I have to use special soil? another friend did the same and used just dirt and there fine but it doesnt sound right. Does anyone know what I can repot them in and what soil to use?????

Transplanting water lillies?
use a heavy clay loam (not potting soil). lilies should be divided every two or three years. The best container will be shallow and wide.





remove the soil from the water lily using a water hose to expose the roots. Select the best looking piece with good growth showing and cut to about three inches long. Trim away excess roots and any damaged leaves from the piece. Keep the remaining pieces damp with wet paper towels while they wait to be planted.





fill the container about three fourths full of aquatic planting soil (clay loam). Mound some soil against one side of the container and place the plant at a 45 degree angle with the cut edge against the pot and the top of the plant at the level the top of the loam will be. Add more soil to within a couple of inches of the top of the container. Push the soil down and add about one inch of small gravel to cover the soil keeping it from covering the top of the plant. add some water to the container and then slowly lower the plant into the pond. place the plant just a few inches under the water for the first few weeks. Then place the plant at the proper growing depth (12 to 18 inches of water over the top of the plant).
Reply:Maybe you could trim them back lots and keep them in the tank..