When to drag the hardy lilies up?

[SheilaJ]

I'm never sure at what point I should bring the hardies up from the bottom of the pond. I think I usually do around mid-April? I guess once danger of the pot freezing is over, I'm good to go? When does everyone else do it? Of course, I'm gonna wait for a warm day to go pot-diving - it's supposed to be nearly 80 today, would be good if I can get off the sofa and outside!

[perplexed ponder]

I drag 'em up asap. Our season is so short here that I figure every day counts! I'll be doing mine soon, I have to repot this year so I'm waiting for the hose water to warm a little!

[Bonnie]

Absolutely now!

If the pads get bit by a heavy frost.. you just might have to pinch them off alittle sooner than normal.

[Esther]

Brought mine up Saturday.

[Cindi]

Obviously you all are bringing them up from the bottom to help them to "wake up" quicker, but does it really help that much to bring them up?  This is my first spring and last summer I left my lilies at the bottom the whole time.  Last I checked my water temp at the bottom was 50 degrees already. 

[perplexed ponder]

Cindi-
I'm no expert but I think it has more to do with light. the faster they grow, the faster they help to cover the water surface and block light for algae.

[Desertponder]

I've already got mine pulled out of their overwintering places and I'm in zone 6. Many of my hardies start showing signs of new pads around the end of February so I try to get them situated as soon as I can.

[happyoutsidegirl]

Sheila, Craig told me I should wait tell the water temp is around 60* before doing the dividing, I will have lost of leaves buy then but so far the water has only hit 50 once or twice. But like everyone said you can bring them up to the shallows any time now.

[SheilaJ]

Thanks, everyone. I didn't get to work on the pond today - went shopping to try to find an Easter dress - when did all the dresses for sale get so DARN UGLY? I did buy a nice tee shirt with waterlilies and a frog and irises, though!

Guess I'll get them up soon. I see pads down there, a few are almost at the surface, and the string algae is gearing up big time.

In my pond, which is 26" deep, the deep part is MUCH colder than the top part.