Water Lillies problem

wallbash

Lots of leaves , large and dark green:D
But only a couple of flowers.
Plants are a few years old, well established. Had a few blooms last year,
any idea where I am going wrong?

Davesnave

Err..... not really much idea on this, but when ordinary plants don't flower enough and are otherwise healthy, it is often because they're just too happy and don't feel the need to make seed.

Could it be that your plants have escaped their pot and are rooting merrily into the soil at the bottom of the pond? If so, a pull up, division and re-pot would be a good idea when they start to go dormant in the autumn rather than now.

I am assuming here that you started with proven stock rather than 'wild' lillies. Being a typical tight-*rsed money saver, I began my water gardening with plants from the local canal, some of which were definitely inferior!

Gebo26

It might be the weather. Most water lilies like plenty of sunshine and if they don't get it they can be reluctant to flower. If you've had a poor summer then this could be the reason, particularly if they are shaded for part of the day as well.
I don't have a solution for this, unfortunately.

annie123

they could be pot bound, look later in the year.
can happen if planted to deeply in water or if they are to vigorous. I would divide later.


taken from the RHS site:

Equally others can prove too vigorous and are best avoided; visitors to RHS Garden Wisley may remember the Round Pond on Seven Acres choked by N. alba. Plants produced more leaves than flowers and other waterlilies could not establish.
Indeed, in most modern garden situations, vigour is a characteristic to avoid when choosing lilies. Smaller gardens mean smaller ponds, so compact selections with good flowers and, if possible, interesting leaves are increasingly the most popular. Some will even thrive in just a few inches of water.

hth

wallbash

Not easy question was it :rolleyes:

Lillies could be pot bound or escaped from their pots

Plants could be too 'happy' or sad about the weather :rotfl:

At least with this rain, wont bother going outside to view the pond.

Many thanks for replying, will put it down the weather.