water lilly care

[island_pondscum]

My first pond has been running for just over a year and I'm pretty new to aquatic plants so I apologize for the newbie question.

I have a couple water lilly plants that seem to be doing well. I'm getting blossoms and growth, anyway. But a couple of the leaves are turning yellow, which I assume is normal over time. Should I cut those off and remove them as they degrade, or is it best to leave them in the pond?

Thanks for your help!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I always remove them. Best not to have any decaying leaves in the pond. My personal rule is to remove them once more than 50% of the leaf is yellow. Up until then, the leaf is still helpful to the plant.

 

[island_pondscum]

Thank you, much appreciated!

 

[Mmathis]

Welcome! I cut my old leaves off.

 

[fishin4cars]

It is best to cut the leaves off not pinch them although I'm quite guilty of pinching. I cut my lily leaves back once the are good and yellow or are starting to decay along the edges.

 

[Priscilla]

Good thread! Question - do you get in the pond each time you see a leaf yellowing? Seems like a lot of in and out of the pond.

I've been leaving them until they decay and then I just net them out. Probably a bad habit, but I don't have many water lilies.

 

[j.w]

I procrastinate and wait till they are detached and just net them out. Also notice my goldfish eating the brown decayed parts.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Good thread! Question - do you get in the pond each time you see a leaf yellowing? Seems like a lot of in and out of the pond.

I've been leaving them until they decay and then I just net them out. Probably a bad habit, but I don't have many water lilies.

I'm lazy and not a big fan of getting in the pond, so I just grab onto the stem and pull once they're fully yellow. If they're dead enough the whole in thing will pull off, stem and all. Been having quite a few lately. Still getting buds though. I've never really had a full season with successful waterlilies so this year has been interesting to see the habits of the plants.