New pond water lily question

I have a new pond, the deepest bit has water in it, exposed are 2 shelves going all the way round and I’m just thinking about the planting beds.
I have bought 2 water lilies, both good doers according to the GC, one is Sioux.
I’m dithering about where to put them.
AI says in the shallowest bit, then move them, but I’d prefer not to have to move them, so can I put them in the deeper bit now? Does too deep for the leaves kill them?
Being vigorous types would you plant them in a bed, or keep them in the baskets to contain them?
I was going to fill it up after and not plant anything else until spring.

 

It's often quite a task to move the pots once the soil gets sodden. So if it makes it easier and safer, put them in the lowest area straight away, and maybe let the rain gently fill and achieve the same result?

 

Ah had not thought of that, I was going to fill it right up (with rainwater) after planting.

 

Maybe a daft question but how deep is the pond at its deepest point - when full - and how deep do the instructions say to plant it and how long are its current leaf stems. The leaves need to be able to float in order to use the sunshine to photosynthesise and feed the plants.

If it is currently still in leaf, plant it in the deepest part and add enough water for them to float. Next spring, the new foliage will make it to the surface, assuming it's the right variety for that depth.

 

Deepest point about 2m, I wasn’t thinking of putting them there.
The instructions say to lower them gradually to about 90cm.
Stems are currently 20cm.

 

Then put it in at that depth and be prepared to move it deeper as the leaf stems grow or move it to a shallower shelf as the pond fills, whichever applies.

I've seen people thread long strings thru the basket sides so it can be easily picked up and lowered later as needs be without having to dive into the pond.

 

Yes - they should be placed at a level where the leaves will sit on the water surface. As they mature, and stems are longer, you lower the level the plant's at.
That can mean a bit of faffing for a few years, but it helps the plant thrive.

 

Ok I was hoping to site them permanently now, but that isn’t going to work.

 

My experience of pond lilies is limited to one pond, and fishing canals !
However, remembering that they will be dying back now for winter and that the existing stems relate to the depth of the water they were previously in, I would wait until Spring to set them in place .They will grow new foliage/stems to the water level prevaling. Just keep them in soak now and position them later.
Each plant needs 1metre square space, at least.