advise on lily's please

[Gary John]

Hi group.

I purchased a nice lily (nymphaea) before the summer here in the UK.
I gradually lowered it down so that the pot was on the bottom of the pond
and leaves rested on the top of the pond.
Was really pleased and excited when the first pink flower came out - but
within a couple weeks, it has now closed up! There were another two about to
open - but nothing.

The leaves have gone a bit black and the flower buds seem to be going the
same way. Also there is a greenish weed appearing over the stems.

What am doing wrong, do they have to be cleaned or cut or anything.
Thanks, in advance - please help.
Gary.

[Derek Broughton]

Gary John wrote:

> I purchased a nice lily (nymphaea) before the summer here in the UK.
> I gradually lowered it down so that the pot was on the bottom of the pond
> and leaves rested on the top of the pond.
> Was really pleased and excited when the first pink flower came out - but
> within a couple weeks, it has now closed up! There were another two about
> to open - but nothing.
>
> The leaves have gone a bit black and the flower buds seem to be going the
> same way. Also there is a greenish weed appearing over the stems.
>
> What am doing wrong, do they have to be cleaned or cut or anything.

So far, only one thing. Each flower only lasts a few days - two weeks would
be amazing. Once they close up again, you need to cut the stalk that bloom
is on, as close to the base as possible.

Algae ("greenish weed") will grow on any surface in a pond. If it's
hairlike, dip a stick in the water and twirl it around to pull out as much
as you can, and compost it. Algae isn't hazardous, it's just unsightly.
It's pulling excess nutrients out of your water.
--
derek

[sean mckinney]

Derek Broughton Wrote:
> Gary John wrote:
> -
> I purchased a nice lily (nymphaea) before the summer here in the UK.
> I gradually lowered it down so that the pot was on the bottom of the
> pond
> and leaves rested on the top of the pond.
> Was really pleased and excited when the first pink flower came out -
> but
> within a couple weeks, it has now closed up! There were another two
> about
> to open - but nothing.
>
> The leaves have gone a bit black and the flower buds seem to be going
> the
> same way. Also there is a greenish weed appearing over the stems.
>
> What am doing wrong, do they have to be cleaned or cut or anything.-
>
> If there are no new pads replaing the old dieing pads I would lift the
> pot and, AWAY FROM THE POND, gently wash the 'soil' off the top of the
> rhyzome, the woody stem. With a finger trace the rhyzome and prod it,
> it should be firm, if soft and squidgy smell it, if it stinks it may
> have crown rot, if it does burn it on a fire. Crown rot is a nasty
> infectious fungus. I think I have had it in one or maybe two lilies and
> the smell I got reminded me of an aldehyde or keytone from organic
> chemistry. I burnt both lilies and now quarantine all new lilies, BTW
> which lily is it some are more susceptable than others. B&Q sell dry
> packed lilies in the spring and for standard lilies they are cheap,
> £4.95?attraction, albidia, chromatella and firecrest. It may also be
> worth trawling your local garden centre at the end of the season for
> barterable bargins. My best was £120's 'worth' plus for £3, you risk
> them not being viable and out of another purchase, 3 for £20, I lost 2.
> From the £3 lot I think I saved all 5 or 6 pygmaes but dont remember
> what happened to the 'big' white.
> If you want non 'standard' lilies I am so far pleased with those I got
> from
> http://www.pondplants.co.uk/ and
> http://www.bromfieldaquatics.co.uk/
> I think former has stopped shipping for the year and I am not sure
> about Bromfield's.
>
> If you are way south your might like to try tropicals from
> http://tinyurl.com/c2opr I got leopardess and pamela from there and
> they were stunning plants, unfortunately it was too cold up here in
> N.Ireland for them and rather than sentence them to certain death I
> sent them to someone in Plymouth, one of them may be pulling through.
> If you are S. E. of london there is Beaver something that also sell or
> sold tropicals but they are trade only but there is a 'fish shop'
> apparently literally next door that may be able to order them for you.


--
sean mckinney

[Derek Broughton]

sean mckinney wrote:

>
> Derek Broughton Wrote:

I'm not sure what you did, but please fix it :-) I didn't write a single
word in that post. I suspect everything attributed to me was yours.
--
derek

[sean mckinney]

Ah sorry I see I didnt delete all that I should have, ie I was quoting
Gary but left "Derek Broughton Wrote:
> " in situ, sorry


--
sean mckinney