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Ponds in the UK

Help - lily problem!

18 years ago

Dear All,

I suddenly notice that my lilies apear to have what can only be described as rust appearing on their leaves -I was so excited as I have three lilly buds half way out of the water then noticed the orange spots on them - and then the leaves(around the edge initially and then spreading all over the leaf). I've never had this before and none of my books (admittedly fairly limited)mention this at all.

In addition to this,I also still have very green water that isn't getting any better which I suspect is at least partly due to adding a lot of new plants this year to the pond - mainly marginals and a couple of deep water aquatics - so it could be the additional pots of plants adding to the nutrients in the pond. These new plants may also have imported the rust of course.......

Anyway - does anyone have any advice on

A) what is it?

B) Is it likely to spread to other plants

C) Is there anything I can do? (unlikely I know)

D) Any other comments?!!

I've also never had a probem with green water like this before, even when I cleaned out and refilled my pond a couple of years ago, it didn't stay green this long. I'm beginning to wonder if I should have a fish about for blanket weed, but it just looks very soupy generally. I do hope it's not blanket weed........ need some more barley straw maybe?

Many thanks,

Helen

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Comments (3)

AJC_1
18 years ago
Start with the green water, did you pot them in garden soil or compost? that is a sure way to send your water green, all the nutrients contained in the soil/compost, but your plants will clear it in time.

The rust could be a result of beetles, have you noticed any spinning about on the surface? look under the leaves for signs of egg packs, but it could also be burn, water drops on the leaves in bright sun can burn holes in the leaves and the dead part looks a bit like rust, another possible is feed, they might just need a feed.

If the rust gets worse, just cut off the affected leave and the plant will send up some new ones, see if they go the same way.
Aitch
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi,

Thanks for this - some good suggestions there! I potted up the plants in aquatic compost so the green water isn't due to that.
As to the lillies - I hadn't thought of feeding being an issue, and the possibility of burn as I've never had this problame before, but it makes sense as previously there were so many yellow flag iris in the pond not that much sun got to the leaves. I'll have a closer look to rule out the beetles - the only thing I've seen have been pond skaters, so I think it may be either burn of feeding that is the issue.
I have to confess I was worried the answer would be that it was some dreadful disease and the only solution to sorting it out would be to pull out all my lillies and burn them so this is a big relief!!
Thanks again
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AJC_1
18 years ago
Pond skaters are predatoirs, they eat other bugs not plants so it isnt them either, dont rule out feed, lillys in a small pot can take out the nutrients in the first month, aquatic compost has very little nutirents in it, and with all the other plants drawing on the nutrients left in the water lillys can go short! cant hurt to try those little lily feed sachets that you poke in the pot.

cut off a affected leaf, if the new one is a lot smaller and paler then it needs a feed.

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