skip to main content

Florida Gardening

Dividing/fertilize pond plants ..here?

16 years ago

we have some Louisiana Iris..supposed to be multicolor, but all purple..:>P and also some ..uh.. umbrella? look like small papyrus? can/should we just divide and make more plants? Any tips? Iris are blooming. Also one of the hardy water lilies has only bloomed once, and another tropical one..I believe..not at all? The soil in that pot looks pretty meager so.. thanks all! Debbie W Melb..

oh,and how do I post pictures here? Yard is really coming along..thanks again

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

hopeful_in_Brevard
16 years ago
Debby, I have a hardy yellow water lilie. You could take it out of the pot, wash all the soil off. Devide if multiple plants. put a few inches of top soil in pot and a small handfull of 10 10 10 add more soil place lilie in pot and add soil over the roots. Leave rizome exposed. If it's not croweded then mayby you don't need to repot it. Just fertilize. Some people use Jobe spikes. I had a friend that would take a little 666 put it into a piece of nylon stocking and push it into the side of the pot. I was told it's better to use chemical fert instead of organic fert to prevent algie. I need help with my Lousiana Iris. They are really suffering. Only one bloom and they look like they are dying. Good luck with you lilies. I live in Melbourne. Pat
goldenpond
16 years ago
I buy the pellets to fertilize my water lilies from the nearby botanical garden when they have their sale.My water lilies have escaped and there's no hope to ever reign them in!I wouldnt divide the iris until they finish blooming.If thats what you are talking about dividing.{{gwi:894305}}
Related Discussions
how to divide pond lilies? my obsession with ..
Q
Comments (5)
There's green water (pea soup or suspended algae), then there's string algae...2 different forms of algae. UVs won't work on string algae. String algae, to an extent, keeps my water clear until my plants get growing in spring. The more healthy, actively growing plants, the more competition for nutrients with the string algae. The brush works great when the string algae gets out of hand in my pond; actually, I use a rake, but I wouldn't try this at home, kids. :D I've never had suspended algae, but there's a great article in the FAQ section (see link below). Brenda Here is a link that might be useful: What do I do about algae or green water or string algae?
...See More
Does anyone here have callas in their pond?
Q
Comments (8)
I grow a large Flame Calla and find that they don't like to be kept wet. They like a well drained fertile soil and like to be kept moist- never dry. You live in a warm zone so they will be hardy in the ground. I have to dig mine up every fall to over-winter so plant them in pots to make that job easier. They also like sun, but since you're in quite a warm zone keep them out of really hot mid-day sun or they might not perform as well as you'd like.
...See More
Fertilizing and dividing
Q
Comments (2)
Fertilize lilies 2-3 times during the active growing season. I recommend feeding them when they first stick their heads above ground in early spring. Then repeat just as flower buds form (or the first flower opens). You can give another feeding some 4-6 weeks later, but don't wait to too late in fall as too much nitrogen late in the season can rot the bulbs in winter. I would personally recommend waiting until next spring to feed them. However, as regular maintenance you could: - deadhead spent flowers before seed heads are created - leave the flower stems with leaves to grow on (do not cut) - mulch the area in winter to avoid heaving and dehydration. A mulched area gives better results in spring, too. If you wish to divide the lilies, then fall is a great time just as the stems die back. Dig the bulbs and seperate the big from the small. Replant big bulbs (1.5" diameter or wider) about 1 per sq foot, and smaller bulbs can be planted 2-3 per sq foot. Cover with 6-8" of soil. Always plant in well draining soil. Good luck.
...See More
dividing a terrarium for a pond
Q
Comments (3)
I would recomand either glass or a polycarbonate material, I find acrylic to be way to crispy and faster degradeing then polycarbonate. If you want somthing that never breaks use laminated polycarbonate, thats the same used for bullet proff windows ect. Just get a thin sheet, like 4 - 6 mm. or something. Personaly I would use a 6 mm hardened glass, as it's alot harder and don't get scratched as easy as any of the two other materials. Here polycarbonate would be alot more ekspencive too, but it's a super material! Greetings
...See More
garyfla_gw
16 years ago
Hi
I use either straight fracted clay(cat litter) or put peat in the bottom They can be grown in straight gravel also
Use fruit tree spikes as fert to keep it out of the water column. The reason for the clay is that it will hold up to being constantly wet They grow like weeds but seldom flower.particularly the yellow type. Tropicals do great.
IMO all of them do better in standing water.
gary
deborahmc52
Original Author
16 years ago
Goldenpond, beautiful! Ours are coming along but not that nicely!
olyagrove
16 years ago
For water lilies/lotus, I like using calcified clay (cheap, non-clumping fragrance free cat litter). I mix it in with some sand for lilies. Works well.

Olya
gardenbrat72
16 years ago
Hey Pat,
I'm in Palm Bay. Where in Melbourne are you? That's cool someone so close.
Kitiera

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Get on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)

By Matt Kilburn

Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load

GARDENING GUIDES Keep Your Cool in the Garden — Here’s What to Do in August

By Annie Thornton

Don’t let summer’s heat go to your head. These U.S. gardening guides will help you make sensible choices for all of your plantings

MOST POPULAR Spring Gardens Are Blooming — Here’s What to Do in April

By Annie Thornton

Get the guide you need for gardening in your U.S. region, with tasks, climate-appropriate plantings and more

SPRING GARDENING Enjoy the Peak of Spring Gardening — Here’s What to Do in May

By Annie Thornton

Bid the frost farewell and treasure the blooms. No matter what U.S. region you’re in, one of these guides will help your garden flourish

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Prairie Wildflowers That Can Heal Your Soil

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Get free, organic soil fertilizer with nitrogen-pumping plants that draw pollinators too

GARDENING GUIDES Common Myths That May Be Hurting Your Garden

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Discover the truth about fertilizer, soil, staking and more to keep your plants healthy and happy

NATIVE PLANTS Great Design Plant: Caltha Palustris Is a Welcome Sign of Spring

By Pollination Press LLC

Brighten your rain garden or pond edge in spring with marsh marigold

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES 3 Ways Native Plants Make Gardening So Much Better

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

You probably know about the lower maintenance. But native plants' other benefits go far beyond a little less watering and weeding

HOUSEPLANTS 10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors

Brighten a room and clean the air with a houseplant that cascades artfully, stretches toward the ceiling or looks great on a wall

Sponsored

More Discussions

Diagnosing problems with firespike in Sarasota

5

Rats in the garden ID?

6

Garden plans for 2024?

6

Greening Satsuma

2

New Blooms Feb./Mar.

26