When To Trim Back Lilly Pads?

[Eltee]

I have fairly healthy lily pads growing in pots in my pond. The pads (leaves) sometimes turn yellow, then brown and wither but are quickly replaced by new growth. At what point of a pad turning yellow / brown should I cut it back? Also, should I cut the stem closer to the base (pot) or ???

THANKS for any information.

 

[BKHpondcritters]

The pads fading is normal. You don't have to cut them back, but doing so will reduce the amount of debris/litter in your pond, as well as make the whole lily look nicer. I usually trim pads & faded flowers once every week or two, cutting off anything that is well over 50% 'dead'. I trim the stems as low & close to the pot as I can, but don't get obsessive about it. As long as the icky flowers & pads are gone, I'm happy.

 

[Lisak1]

Ditto what @BKHpondcritters said. I get in the pond to clean mine up, so when I'm there I get rid of anything that's past it's prime in any way. You'll learn to recognize leaves that are on their way out. And you can't hurt anything but pulling them too soon - it'll just keep sending up more pads - so no worries there. And I just grab and yank - sometimes the stem is so mushy I don't get much at all, sometimes I get the whole thing. I don't worry either way. I do the same with the faded blossoms - otherwise they just sink and turn to mush.

 

[addy1]

I don't trim anything, just let them do their thing, bad pond mom!

 

[Lisak1]

I don't trim anything, just let them do their thing, bad pond mom!

Yeah, but you probably bathe indoors like a normal person, too.

 

[addy1]

Yeah, but you probably bathe indoors like a normal person, too.

lol for sure! The fish do like to nibble on you when in the pond!