Water lilies need nutrients that stimulate them to sprout and let their flowers shine in the most beautiful colors. However, it must be fertilized in such a way that the fertilizer only benefits the water lilies. We will tell you below how this can work in the pond.

Water lilies also need nutrients

Stay away from a liquid fertilizer

A liquid fertilizer that makes sense for potted plants is less suitable for the water lily. Its nutrients would immediately dissolve in water and eventually spread throughout the pond. This has several disadvantages:

  • Water lilies can then also absorb the nutrients through the leaves
  • this leads to increased leaf growth
  • especially if the fertilizer contains a lot of nitrogen
  • the flower buds are covered and cannot unfold
  • nutrient-rich water also promotes algae growth

Fertilizer cones are more suitable

On the other hand, special fertilizer cones for water lilies or for aquatic plants in general are placed in the root area of the water lily, where they gradually release their nutrients and are promptly absorbed by the roots of the plant.

tips

Horn shavings can also be used as an organic long-term fertilizer. Mix them with water and let the mixture set into ice cubes. This makes it easier to put this fertilizer in the substrate of a water lily.

Optimal time for fertilizer application

With the beginning of the vegetation period in April or at the latest in May, optimal care of the water lily also includes a good supply of nutrients. If repotting is necessary, both can be combined.

The fertilizer balls available on the market can distribute their nutrients evenly over 9 months. One fertilizing appointment per year is therefore sufficient.

Be careful with the dosage

A long-term fertilizer can also be overdosed, which will not only have a negative effect on the water lily, but on the entire water world. How many fertilizer balls are pressed into the substrate of the water lily depends on its size. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation in this regard.

There are also water lily varieties that consume a lot and those that require fewer nutrients. Also, the lower a plant is, the less additional nutrients it needs. Finally, the nutrient saturation of the water also plays a role.

Recognize and compensate for nutrient deficiencies

If you observe your water lilies, you can easily tell from visible changes whether they are well supplied with nutrients. If necessary, it must be fertilized in a targeted manner.

  • yellow leaves show up in low sunlight or iron deficiency
  • net-like discoloration from the middle of the leaf indicates a magnesium deficiency
  • frayed leaves appear with potassium deficiency

Category:

Vegetable garden