Fertilizer for plants

[hawk2110]

I was wondering when you are suppose to add fertilizer to your pond plants. I live in iowa so the weather is still on the cool side. It gets down to about freezing at night but in the 60s and 70s during the days. Both of my lillies are on the bottom of my pond (3 feet deep) have started to grow. They both have about 3 or 4 leaves that have grown about an inch or two. I also have one plant basket with Iris in it and those have grown to about half of their full height they were last summer. Does it matter when you put the fertilizer tablets in?

 

[adavisus]

If fertilising goes in before plants really grow strong, algae (the opportunist) is likely to take advantage of it before the plants, that has a faster growth rate at cool temps.

It's always easier to fix a shortage of fertiliser, than the problems associated with an excess.

I'd be incined to consider fertilising when there is a lapse in blooms for example, if the hardy waterlilies seem to be blooming less than in prior years...

Temps warm enough to paddle are kindasorta convenient, too...

Regards, andy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21940871@N06/
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[hawk2110]

two summers ago my lillies grew very well and had about 10 flowers in their first summer in my pond. Last summer I did not put fertilizer tabs in and I only got 1 flower all summer. That is the reason I really wanted to buy fertilizer this year.

 

[HARO]

I have to agree with andy, do not fertilize until you have leaves on the surface and the water is around 65 F. at night.
JOHN

 

[hawk2110]

ok sounds good. thank you for the quick answers

 

[j.w]

If using Jobes Tomato Spikes for hardy water lilies how many does one put in a 12" x 10" x 6"deep container? and how often during the growing season?

 

[addy1]

A couple sites say 3 sticks per plant. Say their lilies went crazy

 

[j.w]

Ok thanks addy I want mine to go crazy too!

 

[addy1]

Ok thanks addy I want mine to go crazy too!

Just stick your fingers in the pond, your crazy will transfer to them!................... (j/k)

 

[j.w]

But you and me addy

 

[HARO]

You're starting already!!!!! :nananananana:
John

 

[j.w]

John

I thought this thread was on fertilizer............oh wait, John is giving me a lot of crap isn't he

 

[addy1]

But you and me addy

roflmao................no kidding!

 

[Ermasdaughter]

I live in Barcelona and I applied fertilizer for the first time 2 weeks ago. I use slow release fertilizer that you press into the soil. It worked really well last year on both my lillies and lotus plants.

 

[sissy]

HMMMM CRAZY PLACE .Who ever said crazy was not fun ,did not know crazy