I am new to ponds and this is my first spring. Last summer when I completed the pond I put in some water lillies, they grew to the point that they all but covered the pond surface. They died back during the winter which I presumed was normal and when the water started warming up this spring they started putting out new shoots. The leaves are a fraction of the size that they were last summer and there are only about 1/3 of the number of leaves. Is this normal? should I do something? should I have done something last winter? If it makes a difference I am in southern california and the summer weather is generally in the high 80's up to the occasional triple didgets, but the pond temp seems to stay in the 70's. Also I do have many Koi in the pond ranging from 3 to 22 inches. I do not do well with plants and it would not supprise me that they died just knowing my reputation. A google search turned up so much conflicting advice that I do not know what to do. Anyone that actually knows and can tell me what to do would be greatly appreciated at this point.
sick lillies
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Mmathis
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Not a lily expert, but many on here are. I'm in a similar situation: new pond, first spring, except goldfish instead of koi. I think that in the fall you're supposed to cut back the dead growth, then let the pot go to depth (though I let mine go down w/out trimming them...). Then in spring, when you bring the pots up, divide & repot when necessary, and add fertilizer. When you start them out, go shallow, then increase to max depth (no idea when you know it's time to put them deeper -- anyone?).
If I'm remembering correctly from when I initially potted them last year, all of them started out with smaller & fewer leaves (as they are now doing), but as time went on, the leaves grew larger and numbers increased. Maybe that's just normal or them to start out slow?? Right now, the sunlight isn't hitting in the right places, so I'm assuming lack of enough sunlight is a factor, but that changes by summer.
If I'm remembering correctly from when I initially potted them last year, all of them started out with smaller & fewer leaves (as they are now doing), but as time went on, the leaves grew larger and numbers increased. Maybe that's just normal or them to start out slow?? Right now, the sunlight isn't hitting in the right places, so I'm assuming lack of enough sunlight is a factor, but that changes by summer.
Mmathis
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Not a lily expert, but many on here are. I'm in a similar situation: new pond, first spring, except goldfish instead of koi. I think that in the fall you're supposed to cut back the dead growth, then let the pot go to depth (though I let mine go down w/out trimming them...). Then in spring, when you bring the pots up, divide & repot when necessary, and add fertilizer. When you start them out, go shallow, then increase to max depth (no idea when you know it's time to put them deeper -- anyone?).
If I'm remembering correctly from when I initially potted them last year, all of them started out with smaller & fewer leaves (as they are now doing), but as time went on, the leaves grew larger and numbers increased. Maybe that's just normal or them to start out slow?? Right now, the sunlight isn't hitting in the right places, so I'm assuming lack of enough sunlight is a factor, but that changes by summer.
If I'm remembering correctly from when I initially potted them last year, all of them started out with smaller & fewer leaves (as they are now doing), but as time went on, the leaves grew larger and numbers increased. Maybe that's just normal or them to start out slow?? Right now, the sunlight isn't hitting in the right places, so I'm assuming lack of enough sunlight is a factor, but that changes by summer.
sissy
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take them out and fertilize them ,if you do it in the pond you may fertilize the algae also .I have a tank to put them in to fertilize them.I just use miracle grow .
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I usually put osmocote in the bottom of the pot the lily is in, or add some tabs to the lily. When I groom them heavy they do take time to get going again the next year.
Ours are all starting out with tiny leaves, and as time passes, the pads are getting bigger
I have a similar problem. My lily was trimmed back and placed at the bottom for the winter. When it was brought up it had no growth. There are a few bulbs in a pot with soil. I put them up on the shelf but there has been no change in these several weeks. The bulbs are hard, not mushy - but no growth at all. What can I do to get them going? Or is it a lost cause? Maybe they need a bigger pot, or fertilizer? I was waiting to see some signs of life before I did anything, but so far nothing. I hate to throw them away since they aren't cheap.. but maybe they aren't going to grow. I have a new big lily that is doing great, but I worry about next winter. I don't want this one to go the way of the small one.