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Too many water lilies!

Janet500Janet500 Posts: 18
in Problem solving
I have a circular 8ft diameter pond which is now almost completely covered with water lilies.  As I don't trust the pond liner enough to stand in the pond I usually lay full stretch and try to cut them down but this year the growth is ridiculous! Please, how can I get rid of most of them - hopefully without using a harmful herbicide?  In fact, I've now been told that by my cutting them down I've encouraged them!   All suggestions welcome before my poor frogs suffocate!
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    @Hostafan1 grows a lot of water lilies. Hopefully he’ll see this …

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Growth should stop soon then they'll go to sleep for the winter. 
    I'd deal with them then. Cold, I know, but actually easier when dormant than now.

    Devon.
  • Janet500Janet500 Posts: 18
    Thank you - how should I deal with them then ?   Cut or kill somehow?
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    if it's 8ft diameter, could you lay a ladder of it and work from that?
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Can't you just pull some of them out, starting at one edge, then dispose of them or offer them to someone, or re they too hefty?
    Are they in pots, or are they in the soil at the bottom of the pond? 

    If you were able to get a few out, it might help. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Janet500Janet500 Posts: 18
    The ladder idea is worth thinking about - thanks!   I will start pulling them out as no one has yet suggested a way of safely killing them!  I inherited the pond so don't know if they are in baskets or soil.  Probably soil if I know anything about the previous owners! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Do you mean you want rid of them completely? 

    In a pond, they make an excellent addition to the aesthetics- especially as they help shade the surface, and that also benefits wildlife. They can get congested - just like any other plant though, and need dividing to rejuvenate them, especially the larger ones. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Janet500Janet500 Posts: 18
    I didn't really want to get rid of all of them but they are so overwhelming.  Wouldn't have a clue as to how to divide plants which are under water!   - so 'll just keep on doing what I've done other years - cut them down as low as I can under the water and hope it doesn't encourage them too much!

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    edited August 2021
    Janet500 said:
    I didn't really want to get rid of all of them but they are so overwhelming.  Wouldn't have a clue as to how to divide plants which are under water!   - so 'll just keep on doing what I've done other years - cut them down as low as I can under the water and hope it doesn't encourage them too much!

    they'll have " trunks " . All knobbly. about 2 or 3 inches thick. You can snap a chunk off, about 6 - 9 inches long,  and lay it lengthwise , half buried in new compost and it'll sent out roots down the way and but on top. Dead easy ( but messy, cold , and probably smelly )
    Devon.
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    edited August 2021
    Offer them to your friends with ponds.  Waterlilies are expensive to buy so they will be grateful and probably jump at the chance.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
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