Victoria Cruziana (giant waterlily)

Wasn’t sure what I was going to get. Lily was in a shocking small box but well wrapped with two 8-10” pads. Roots were packaged in wet paper. I immediately planted the lily in a 70/30 mix of Clay cat litter and sand. Within 24hrs you could see a new pad developing. A few days later the pad emerged in good condition. Another pad is developing now and it just breaking the water surface. The lily appears to be thriving and must have been in excellent condition when harvested. Assuming I can’t keep this one through the winter I will most certainly purchase another next spring from aquarium plants. Thank you for the beautiful lily.