Water lilies are survivors who can diligently spread in the pond without much care. Only now and then is a questioning look necessary to see if everything is going according to plan. If necessary, customized support may follow.

If the growth of the water lilies is not curbed, it will quickly take over

Pay attention to location and water depth

Before you promote the healthy growth and flowering of your water lilies with optimal care, you should make sure that they are placed correctly in the pond. Water lilies love the sun and must not be shaded. The different types also require different water depths. You should observe these when planting, otherwise the best care is useless.

Only fertilize the water lily

Water lilies need nutrients from April so that they can start the new vegetation period well supplied. A liquid fertilizer would quickly mix with water and spread throughout the pond. However, nutrient-rich water favors algae growth. The water lily leaves can also absorb nutrients from the water and grow excessively.

Rather fertilize with special fertilizer balls from the trade or freeze horn shavings (32.93€) with water to form ice cubes so that they are easier to handle.

  • Put fertilizer in the substrate
  • so it stays close to the root
  • Nutrients are released evenly over months
  • one fertilization per year is usually sufficient
  • if necessary connect with the repotting

Top up with water if necessary

Water lilies are constantly in the water with their roots, so they do not need to be watered. But in a hot summer, when there has been no rain for a long time, the water level in smaller ponds in particular can drop sharply. This means that the ideal water depth is no longer given. In such a case, refill the pond with the hose.

Cutting as a growth brake

Water lilies can spread and cover the entire pond. They become lazy and affect other plants and animals in the pond. Since water lilies that have grown firmly on the bottom of the pond can only be removed with difficulty or with great effort, it is better to reduce the carpet of water lilies in good time.

It is ideal when water lilies grow in plant baskets that can be easily removed from the water for pruning. Otherwise you can cut off parts of the water lilies with pond scissors and remove them from the pond from spring until August at the latest.

tips

Cut and remove rotting and yellowing lily pads as soon as possible so they do not affect water quality. You can also use a rake to easily remove individual green leaves that overlap each other from the pond.

Check for pests

Controlling pests with chemicals is problematic in a pond because it eventually reaches all living things and affects the ecological balance. Therefore, check your water lilies regularly for signs of feeding and visible egg deposits, larvae and the grey-brown water lily leaf beetle. Then you can react early and collect the pests or rinse them off the rose with water.

Overwintering frost-sensitive varieties

Native species of water lilies can spend the winter in the pond as long as it doesn't freeze over permanently. Tropical species must move to a winter quarters from autumn. This should be light and between 23 and 25 °C warm. A plant lamp (€21.99) is usually required.

Category:

Vegetable garden