Comments on: Water lilies and Mollies

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:05:46 +0000

I will give the Miracle Grow spikes a try and let you know how it goes. These are easy to get here and not expensive. My lilies seem to be growing fine and are blooming nicely. I just noticed a new type at lunch today that has a small pink bloom. The leaf is round and fucia on the underside.

I have thousands of mollies too. So, I think I will pass on the offer. I will get some angels this week and see how it goes.

By: Jonna

Jonna — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:47:29 +0000

Really, probably any balanced fert would work, look for it to have the same 3 numbers – either 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. There is a preferred ranking for lilies but I’ve never remembered it and had good luck just using a balanced one. Time release is very good as it keeps the pond from getting a spike of fert that could boost algae growth. Try the Miracle Grow spikes, one first and see if the pad size increases or you start getting blooms. I think the reason the pond forums recommend using tomato spikes is that it ensures there is nothing in them that would harm the fish.

The lilies should be planted in pots without holes in the bottom or at the least with newspaper over the holes. Push the fert as far down as you can so that when it dissolves it moves up towards the roots but hopefully not out of the pot to feed the algae.

Hey, you want some Mollies? I have thousands. If yours are breeding then you should get some Angels to help with fry control. They are territorial – they are cichlids – so get them all the same size and get at least 3 preferably 5 or so depending on the size of your pond.

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:18:19 +0000

Thanks for the tips on fertilizing. I have a few lilies in the pond now, but haven’t fed them yet. I will look for Osmocote next time at Walmart. Do you think Miracle Gro spikes would work? I have a box of the small ones for indoor plants. I could poke them into the pot, easy. I worry about green water from too much fertilizer. So far, the water in the pond has stayed clear. Pete

By: Jonna

Jonna — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:06:26 +0000

Thanks Cristina and Jan, I’d love to see either of you down here, with your respective partners of course. Everytime we go to a really interesting restaurant, I tell Mimi we have to remember this one to take Cristina. From street stands to haciendas, I have a mental list for you.

Pete, I use Osmocote regular for the lilies. They are heavy feeders and I try and feed them every month or so. You can see the difference, when the pads start getting smaller they need food. If you can’t find Osmocote (it can be expensive here) you can use tomato stakes or any time release, balanced food without pesticide. You can either pull up the lily and poke a hole to put the pellets in – near the edge of the pot not near the crown – or you can put some in a piece of nylon stocking, tie it off and poke it into the soil at the edge of the pot. I use a couple spoonfuls per lily.

Mimi filled one of those neck pillows for travelers with Osmocote the last time she was in Denver. Worked a charm! I got a huge supply and she took a nap on it on the plane.

I don’t fertilize anything but the lilies once they are in the pond. I do put Osmocote in the bottom of the pot if I put something in a pot. I’m trying to get most things bare root, they will pick up nutrients from the fish waste. It’s a great cycle when it’s working right. There isn’t enough fish waste in the hall pond because they are so small, so I do poke Osmocote into the boxes a little every few weeks. Too much fertilizer will just feed the algae and you’ll get green water.

By: Jan Baines

Jan Baines — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:08:40 +0000

Incredible pics. Hopefully we will get down your way this winter and see them (and you and Mimi) in person. Having seen the house in it’s “less than finished” version, it is really fun to follow the progress….great job!

By: Mexico Cooks!

Mexico Cooks! — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:49:52 +0000

Wow. Just wow.

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:21:19 +0000

Where do you find fertilizer for your aquatic plants?

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:48:44 +0000

I enjoy the photos of your garden and hearing your gardening stories. I am working on ours too. Have may mollies and sword tails. Never thought about getting an angel fish or two to help keep the ever-increasing population of fish down. One thing I have learned since becoming a “water gardener” is to watch the plants that are brought in. I recently added a lily that had a nasty weed in the soil – so now I spend a lot of time trying to get rid of the weed. Keep posting the photos, I love them! Pete

By: Jonna

Jonna — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:35:16 +0000

Billie, I am at your disposal. Anything I can do to help, you have only to ask. I wish I could come up and work on it for you but right now that isn’t happening. One of these days we will have to drive north again and will stop to see you and Ned – by then I’m sure you will be happily back in SMA.

By: Jonna

Jonna — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:32:55 +0000

Even bigger kudos to you for spending your own money to fix strays. You are an angel! It does have an effect, the difference we have seen in Akumal in the last 10 years is astounding but it takes a constant effort. I think your bungalow will be beautiful in that color, I love it.