30 days makes a huge difference

[Kat]

Had a record cold spring but once we warmed up the lilies took off like crazy (that & they loved the Osmocote/Vigoro fertilizer).

June 14
July 16

[hopsingspond]

Wow, Kat just amazing.  I was surprised how quick I got blooms here.    Of course I shouldn't be,  most of my lilies came from you.  We had snow May 1st . I didn't even get pond back up till the end of May. Yet I have had blooms for over a month now.  Whatever you do girl it sure works.   I see some folks saying they are getting their first blooms the middle of July this year.  Must be your magic touch, that makes the difference.

[SueSTx]

Amazing what a difference 30 days can make isn't it.

I was looking at my tanks this afternoon and can't believe how the pads have changed since Friday.  I think the water has finally gotten warm enough for the fertilizer tabs to really kick in.

[hopsingspond]

Kat I switched halfway through potting lilies to using Osmocote,  I can really tell the difference in the size of those lilies.  Can find the other one here.  I will have to try and order it online.

[Kat]

Used the aquatic tabs for many years but then the price just got too high for the amount of lilies I have.  Read a posting by Craig saying he used Osmocote & haven't gone back to the tabs unless it is for a lily like Lily Pons that I don't disturb.  The Vigoro granular can be purchased at Home Depot (it used to be Colorburst).  Good to know you are having great results with Osmocote, too.  No problems with fish either & I grow out my tiny watonai fry in my ponds.

[CoolShades]

Actually Osmocote makes tabs that work great too.  I assume you are using the individual sieves.  I have not been able to find the tabs in retail stores so if anyone has any links I would appreciate it.  Before I would order from a wholesaler from my folks nursery.

Gary

[hopsingspond]

I used to make my own tabs with empty gel capsules.  Kat and Craig turned me on to just mixing the fertilizer right in the pot, before I put the lily in the pot.  Cheaper, easier and is obviously working better.

[SueSTx]

I have started using full season "finger size sticks".  They work for me.

It is amazing to see how much my little lotus has grown in less than 10 days after using 1/2 of a stick.  I will insert the other half next week.  Instructions say I stick per gallon of dirt.  I have been using 3 per dishpan for the entire season.

[magoo]

Osmocote is a 90 day release prill. It seems to me that it last for about 45 days in the pond in south Louisiana. Dynamite supposedly makes a 180 day release prill that I want to try. I have not been able to find it available.

[SueSTx]

The product I've been using says 6 to 9 months.  It is 14-24-8 slow release.

My water gets rather warm and I'm not sure  how long, but I have not been using again in the middle of the summer.

[Kat]

I don't really want an extended fertilizer as I want the lilies to feel starved into making tubers & also smaller so I can move them all into one pond for winter coldframing.  This year I'm going to take the time to prune off their largest pads as I move them.

[SueSTx]

I really don't think it lasts that long for me.  During the middle of last summer, I had tropical pads that were 12" across.  That lasted about 6 weeks and they went back to normal size.  They tubered just fine for me. 

[greenthumbnails]

Had a record cold spring but once we warmed up the lilies took off like crazy (that & they loved the Osmocote/Vigoro fertilizer).

June 14
July 16

Is there a pic here Kat?
I don't see it and I am logged in....

[redberry]

I know I saw pictures when the topic was first posted.  I also noticed that the pictures seemed to have disappeared and I guess I am not the only one who is missing them.  Did they somehow get deleted?

Thanks,
redberry