Karyl,

Your weather sounds like what ours is supposed to be - I too am in zone 5.

I plan on doing the same thing with my waterlilies this weekend. I did not divide them last year, so I really need to do it this year. That would also be the time to fertilize them - if your waterlilies look like mine, they are just starting to grow and you already have them out of the water to do your inspection, cleaning, etc., so it just makes sense to do it now. Last year I used a fertilizer that is supposed to last all year, which was wonderful - it was so much simpler than using one of those fertilizers that only lasts a month or two. I have found if I use the fertilizers where I have to do it every so often during the course of the summer, it probably won't get done - too many other things that need to be done and I don't like to disturb the fish when everything is going well (at least that is what I tell myself! LOL!)

As far as cleaning the pond, I have to believe that many people in our zone will be cleaning their ponds this weekend. I know the rule of thumb is to clean when the water temps are at about 55, so that the immunities of the fish have had a chance to establish themselves, however my husband cleaned out pond the week before Easter with that warm spell of weather we had. My company had sent me to Newark for training and he likes to keep busy while I am gone, so that part has already been done with our pond.

Best of luck to you.
Carolyn

Karyl, I would go along with what Carolyn said and spllit [if nesessary] and re-pot with new top soil.
I use tree spikes for fertilising. I break them into chunks and push three or four into the soil in the pot.
They work great and are less expensive than Pondtabs.

There are various strengths of tree spikes, use the ones wih the lowest three numbers. Tomatoe spikes I read are also good for water lilies.

Have fun cleaning out the pond.
I managed to get mine done in that last spell of spring like weather we had. And yesteday the frogs returned to the edge of the pond for the second time this year, none the worse for their added sleep.
Watch for dragnfly larvae or water beetles and throw them back in if you find any.
"Horton"

Thanks Carolyn and Horton, usually by this time, as you know, we have had somewhat nice weather for awhile, but this year has been SO different. Luckily for us, we only got about 6 inches of really wet snow with the nor'easterner Monday, and then it turned warm, and its all gone...
Guess I know what I am doing this weekend......

Karyl, use Waterlily Fertilizer Tabs only since these are specially forumlated for waterlilies. These tabs are designed for minimal leaf growth and maximum bloom. This fertilizer is safe to use with fish.

Tree stakes are forumlated for trees and should only be used for that purpose. Are they fish safe? Who knows since this is not a purpose for which it was manufactured? Will it cause lots of algae growth? Again the manufacturer would not know or care since they assume that people would use their product for its intended purpose, which is trees, not waterlilies.

Fertilizer is often misunderstood so people think one is as good as another. Regardless of the type of plant you are fertilizing, use a fertilizer that is forumlated for that plant.

So NEVER use tree tree spikes for fertilizing waterlilies!

Here is a link that might be useful: Fertilizer Numbers

When I was working the Extension Service Desk as a Master Gardener, people would frequently call in about fertilizer and wonder if they could use lawn fertilizer on their tomatoes? Or Weed and Feed on their corn?

I would send them a pamphlet on fertilizer and try to help them.

And occassionly someone would ask about using tree fertilizer spikes on their waterlilies since a neighbor had said it worked great.

Catfishsam, thanks for the info - good information.
I have had this pond for 6 years, and have always used the tree spikes as fertilizer for the lilies, they have worked great and have had no effects on my goldfish.
My problem with this year, is that I have never had such cold weather so late in the season to start cleaning out the pond. Usually, the pond freezes, and when it thaws, I can get all the stuff off the top that blows onto the snow during the winter. This year, we've had many freezes and thaws, and lots of stuff has gone to the bottom....and it just needs to be cleaned out now.

Karyl, tree spikes have a high Nitrogen content so it will cause algae to grow rapidly. That is one of the reasons that I don't use it.

You shouldn't have to clean your pond very often. If you have to do it every year, then there is something wrong? I go for years without cleaning any of my 3 ponds, except for pulling out any excess string algae during the summer.

I never fertilize my waterlilies until they start growing well. The waterlilies aren't able to use the fertilizer until they are growing and some of the fertilizer will leach out of the pots into the water. Then it will help cause an algae bloom.

It is true that tree spikes are cheaper than waterlilies tabs, but when you consider the problems they cause, it is better to spend a little more and get the correct fertilizer.

Another problem with tree spikes it is hard to judge how big a piece to put in since you have to break them up with a hammer. So it is easy to overfertilize and either burn the plant's roots or put in so much that leaches into the pond.

The tabs are the right size to use so there isn't a problem.

However, it is up to each pond owner to make a decision to save some money or do it right?

Maybe I mispoke when I said cleaning my pond. I agree with you catfishsam - that a total pond cleaning is not a good thing and that something is wrong.
Seeing my pond is approx 5000 gals, and I am on a well - it is not draining and cleaning the whole thing (husband would kill me), its draining about 600 gals, shop vac'ing the bottom of debris, cleaning out the filters and setting them back up, repotting the plants, and refilling and starting every thing back up again for the season.
I do shop vac every couple of weeks during the season, but mainly do it as a way of getting out any extra debris that blows into the pond, and its a great way to do a small water change.
Regarding the waterlily tabs or tree spikes - I used the tabs one year, didn't make them bloom any more than when using spikes. Its not a matter of money - I have had good luck using the tree spikes.
Saving money on pond items is not saying that its doing something wrong or right. I may not have alot of extra money to do a high tech pond, but my goldfish are important to me. I have more than enough DIY filters to do the job, I test my water, and have been luckily enough not to have any major problems. My fish are happy, and the larger ones will even eat from my hand.

Karyl, I am a firm believer in doing what works for you. So if it works, then keep doing it. All ponds are not the same and what works for someone may not work for others.

{{gwi:191529}}

Karyl, I still think for newbees it is best for them to stick with the waterlily tabs though instead of trying some other fertilizer.

For experienced ponders, such as yourself, there is nothing wrong with experimenting.