Trimming pond lily leaves

[NancyMc]

Does everyone remove their pond lily leaves and flowers as they fade? If yes, do you feel you get better plant growth by doing that?

 

[BKHpondcritters]

I do climb in & trim back faded blooms & ratty looking pads about once a week or so. Not sure if it yields better growth. I do it for aesthetic reasons. I take a lot of pictures around the pond & I don't like the look of the old, decaying pads.

 

[addy1]

I used to, don't anymore. I still get a ton of leaves and flowers.

 

[rubyduby]

I was told by the woman that owns Wonderful Waterlilies to make sure to keep at least 6 pads ... I do trim off ratty ones regularly for aesthetics....I always have at least 12 - 14 pads on my only lily so I do not see any harm in a regular trimming...

 

[j.w]

When I had them in my big pond w/fish when the leaves started to rot I noticed the fish were eating them. Guess they liked them when fully cooked so I left them in there

 

[NancyMc]

Thank you all! Maybe I will….maybe I won’t then!

 

[BKHpondcritters]

Thank you all! Maybe I will….maybe I won’t then!

That is definitely the correct decision.

 

[GBBUDD]

it's what works best for you

 

[RMaynard]

I always do, but I have a very small pond and can just reach in and pull the ratty ones anytime. I imagine that it grows new ones faster after I remove some, but who knows?

 

[GBBUDD]

When flowers are done blooming or leaves start to turn color or tear cut those off so the plant sends the energy for new shoots. Not ones that are dieing.