Wild Lilies - good or bad idea?

[jkayden]

I live near a lake which has an abundance of lilies. What is the general consensus -- good idea or bad idea to put a few in my pond? 4k gal with a bunch of koi/shubunkin.

 

[addy1]

Not bad i.e. the plants, but make sure you clean the plants well you never know what is hanging onto them.

 

[GBBUDD]

I live near a lake which has an abundance of lilies. What is the general consensus -- good idea or bad idea to put a few in my pond? 4k gal with a bunch of koi/shubunkin.
[/QUO
Coming from a lake where people swim id be more comfortable with the say a pond you never know whats up in our ponds but like a day said lean them well

 

[Lisak1]

I concur - the plants themselves should be fine, but be sure to check them out really well before you add them to your pond. I found some arrow plant growing on the shore of a natural pond in our neighborhood and thought "SCORE"! And it has been great - however, it brought along a friend... a cute, tiny, small, teensy, adorable little grassy looking thing. Oh it was soooo sweet that first year... year two it was actually quite pretty! Year Three - it was the Grass That Ate My Margin! I have spent the last three years ridding myself of that thing. Every time I think "there! it's GONE" it pops right back up again!

Show us what you've got!

 

[Tula]

My uncle used to have a home in Indiana near lakes and wetlands and it was illegal to take a water lily.

 

[jkayden]

Show us what you've got!

Still needs some work. Added fish last fall and rocked it up this spring/fall...yes, I did it wrong

 

[addy1]

That looks very nice!

 

[HARO]

Before you plant it in your pond, take a piece of the large root and slice it up. If you see any worm tunnels in it, toss it! VOE!!
John

 

[JamieB]

If you can contact whoever owns the land the lake is on, I suggest you ask them for permission to gather a few plants.