Thanks for the advice Jan. My guys and gals swim around in packs of 5 or 6
(total koi
# of Koi is 14). I've never seen them attack the lilies - one at a time.
I'll think this over though ~ afraid I'm not good at disciplining the my
"kids"

Nedra

Lotus Garden:
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118
Backyard Pond:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836

"~ jan JJsPond.us" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 03:34:24 GMT, "Nedra"
wrote:

Hi there,
I haven't used clay in the planting pots... will give that a try. I know
the koi do love clay...

And that a good reason NOT to use clay. I use sand and large rock over the
top. Being that you haven't had lilies in the pond for awhile I'd pot up
two lilies and get them going in a safe place so a lot of pads with thick
stocks are growing vigorously. At this point put the plants in and stand
guard for the next couple hours. Every time the fish go over and check it
out, scare them off with a skimmer net.

Just as there is safety in a school for fish, there is danger for the
plants. A new plant and a school of fish that get frisky will take down a
plant in no time. If they discover the plant over time, one by one, and
get
use to it without be allowed to think "new toy". They will "usually" leave
it away. I use "usually" only as a disclaimer as this method has always
worked for me, YMMV. ~ jan

~Power to the Porg, Flow On!~