Why aren't my waterlilies blooming? Long Valley, NJ

The waterlily is one of the most popular additions to any fish pond or water garden.  They are beautiful, have wonderful flowers, and of course the the most favored area for our favorite pond inhabitant, the frog, to hang out.  
While these "jewels" of the water garden are beautiful they do have have a few requirements for them to grow big and beautiful.  Have you ever noticed from one year to the next they just aren't doing as well or maybe you noticed it's not blooming?  

Does this sound familiar? 

In years past you're water lilies have done fantastic!  Beautiful and plentiful lily flower blooms with vibrant and abundant green leaves, but this year is different!  You haven't seen as many flowers and the leaves are turning yellow or getting holes in them and just don't appear to be great like years past.  What could be the problem?  

What's happening to my water lilies? 

There are a few  factors that can contribute to your water lilies not doing as well one year to the next, let's go over them:

1. Sunlight: All Waterlilies require a minimum amount of sunlight every day to look their best.  To look ok and just keep them looking nice 4-6 hours is the bare minimum, however most will do their best in 6-8 hours of sunlight per day!  If you're pond is a bit shady and on the border of sunlight requirements, try the Colorado Waterlily.  They tend to do ok with lesser amounts of sunlight per day.   
2. Something is eating them:  There are a few known pests of that like to snack on waterlilies.  Aphids and snails can be culprits.  If you're lilies have holes in them or it looks like something is taking bites out of them it's probably snails.  Our fish, especially large fish, will also "play" in them and rip new growth as well as the lily pads off the plant, well because they can and they are bored.  Another culprit, could be deer.  They do like water lilies and have been known to get in there and have a snack.  
3. Feed them!: Yep, give those puppies some fertilizer once a month.  While a pond will provide nutrients for our water lilies, some supplemental fertilizer will definitely help.   We recommend using aquatic fertilizer tabs once a month or use a once a year fertilizer for your waterlilies.  
4. Too much water movement:   Waterlilies typically love calm water and will do their best without water crashing on them or a strong current.   If your water lilies are near a strong aerator or even close to your waterfall this could be affecting it's growth.  Just move the plant to a different area of the pond.  

Let's circle back to number two above, something is eating them.  Let's tackle the fish or koi pulling our lilies apart.  Many times when our koi and pond fish get larger it's very difficult to keep waterlilies in a pond.  At this point, you'll more than likely have to make a decision: fish or waterlilies.  To combat  aphids and the snails is a bit more tricky.   The best way to combat snails is to find them and pull them off the water lily.  For aphids, blasting them off with a hose and/or using a garlic spray will take care of these pests.   Deer, well we know how this goes keeping deer away from our plants.  The use of a scarecrow or even a pond net may be the ticket.  

Waterlilies are such a magnificent addition to any water garden or koi pond, but sometimes they to need a little help and care to look their best.  Check these few items, make some changes if you need to and enjoy the beauty of your waterlilies again.  

Related Links:

• What maintenance should be done to your fish/koi pond or water feature during the summer?
• How do I prepare my fish pond's filtration system for the winter months?
• ​​Aerator vs. Pond Deicer- Which one do I use to keep a hole in my fish pond for the winter in New Jersey?

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