Lillies aren't getting very big

[JH]

I have several lillies in my pond. A couple are several years old. I had to divide them this spring, so I don't know if that could be my problem. I don't see why.

Well anyway, like I said I divided them this spring and have been fertilizing them as well. They have been sending up new pads but they don't get any larger. They are maybe between the size of a half dollar and maybe a small lid to a mayo jar. I had this problem last year as well.

I bought 2 new hardy lillies this year and they are growing very well. It is just the ones that I already had. Any suggestions?



Also does anyone know of any good pond books and/or koi and goldfish books?

I have been looking for some good books but am not sure as to which ones to buy.

Thank you

[aquariaddictus]

I have the very same problem. I wonder if they just 'wear out' after a while. If you find out anything, let me know. Or, they could take a year to recover from the division. I repotted mine last year and they haven't been the same.

What's your location? At first I attributed my pond's slow start to our weather. Normally, be the end of May, I would be pulling water hyacinths out and composting them - this year, the surface isn't covered yet. We've had too much rain, and we're just now to the point where it doesn't cool off radically at night.

I'll try to do some research for ya.
judy

[JH]

I am in Central IL. I'm not sure if it would be our weather or not. That is the only cause I can think of. I forgot to mention that the lillies are the type you can by in the boxes at walmart or lowes. Nothing special. I think I paid around $5.00 each for them.

This spring has been cold and wet, so that could have something to do with it. Except last year I had the same trouble. I wonder if it could just be the lillies. Maybe someone else would know.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by aquariaddictus
I have the very same problem. ... ... ...judy Me too!

I wonder if it's the fertilizer?? Not using the 'right type', etc...? Hard water vs. Soft water?

:confused:

[aquariaddictus]

I would say central Illionois and St. Louis might blame the weather, but not sunnny Florida!

JH: which lilies are from Lowe's/ Wal-Mart - the new or the old?
Curious, because I bought some on clearance at Lowe's (they're minatures tho, and are as big as my regular lillies).

[JH]

Actually, the old and new lillies are all the type you buy in the boxes at lowes/walmart. I don't have any other types, just these "cheap" ones. Perhaps that is why they don't grow as well the second year or longer. I am not an expert, so who knows.

So I'm not the only one with this trouble. Seems kind of strange to me. Could blame on the weather, but we are not all in the same locations. Could also be the water temps, ph, etc.. Or I guess it could be that they wear out. But I don't see how. Some have lillies that are many years old and still doing the same as the first season.

I so far haven't had any luck finding any information on the internet. I'll keep looking.

[JH]

Ok I looked at the type of fertilizer that I have been using and it is from Little Giant. It is a 10-14-8 formulation.

I just purchased a product by Pond Care called Aquatic Plant Food Tablets and these are a 20-10-5 Formulation. I have not started using these yet, since I have a couple left from the little giant.

The pond care product says it helps keep water lillies blooming all season long, so I guess I will find out.

I'm not sure which type of fertilizer is the best. Anybody know which formulation is the best to use with lillies and other water plants? There are so many to choose from.:confused:

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by aquariaddictus
I would say central Illionois and St. Louis might blame the weather, but not sunnny Florida!..... We do get some sun, but we have a big oak tree that shades our 'water garden', limiting some of the plants we'd like to have.. :(