13 replies to this topic

[27goldfish]

what kind of dirt do you guy/gals use in your pond to plant these?

[DrCase]

i just put river rock and larger to hold the roots down

[butterflycld]

I use pea gravel and plant baskets.

[aquariumfishshop]

Using some laterite or other iron rich red clay always gets my pond plants growing well. I put some of this in the center of the pot with some organic soil. On the top and bottom i use pea gravel. The laterite helps the roots to take in nutrients and also provides some.

[PHYLAL]

I use garden soil. We are organic gardeners, no commercial fertilizers, bug sprays, or weed killers. I plant the lilies following recommended procedures (can be found all over the internet) and cover the soil with granite chips. These can be bought at most farm supply stores (used for chicken scratch). They are sharp and perhaps for this reason my fish have always let the potted plants alone.

[DrDave]

I just use the gravel from my driveway. It works great! I generally have to remove plants and trim the excess roots plus divide the pants due to their size.

[Norm]

Goto petco or other big box pet store and buy untreated cat litter. For pots I use the oil change pans at a auto parts store ($3.95). They are 14" in diameter and 3" deep with no hole in the bottom.

Just remember you need to fertilize with tabs since not much nutrients in clay soil (cat litter). Use lily feed tabs so that you are feeding the lily roots and not algae.

[c2c7390]

do baskets hold in the clay very well for the lilies or would i have to line it with filter pads

[c2c7390]

can you get the laterite clay and regular clay at homedepot or lowes

[Baraccus]

http://www.petsmart....oductId=2753891

I'm starting the planting portion of my pond and was wondering the same thing. I found this flourite stuff (it's a clay) at pets mart and was thinking of mixing it with gravel....any thoughts???

[SamMag]

Sorry to invade here but for water lilies how deep/high/wide should the planting pot be?

[koiguy1969]

wider than deep...oil change pans work real well $1.77 at Meijers

[SamMag]

So would a 9inch wide 9inch long 6inch deep basket prove aqequate for one plant?

[DrDave]

That depends on the plant. I have water lilies that are too large for that basket and I have some that are too small. This is the best size to have though.