Is it time to feed my water plants?

[Jerry]

New spring growth is well underway, some pads at the surface.  All danger of frost is past.
I am ready, is it too soon?

[tinkster]

cant wait to see the replies on this one... most reference I can find is to lilies and they say after the first flush of blooms.  I normally just do it whenever I want

tinkster

[mascot]

I know I don't have a problem with overgrowth, but for two years I haven't fed any of my plants, just left them alone.  Right now I have one tuber that needs to be split (I don't know how) and it's already shot up about a dozen leaves, three of which are at or near the surface.  Two other plants are reaching for the sky too.  My pennywort is spreading, and the taro died back but there's a bunch of kid-roots looking for a place to take hold and the leaves are pushing out of the stems. 

It ain't broken, so I'm not gonna try to fix it! 

[tranquility]

Tink same here...I just do when I feel like they need it...
Lawanna

[Sean]

When you see new growth is when you should start fertilizing, not before, you will kill the plant.

Cheers,
Sean

[mascot]

When you see new growth is when you should start fertilizing, not before, you will kill the plant.

Cheers,
Sean

Curious...when you see new growth, how do you know it even needs fertilizing?   One of mine shot up like crazy...without fertilizing.  I actually had it near the top of the pond during the cold months to get more sun, and when the leaves reached the surface I dropped it to the bottom (about 26").  Forgive...I'm botanically challenged.

[tinkster]

when talkin about lillies if I dont fertilize mine monthly they dont bloom much.  with montly fertilizers they are like always throwing out tons of blooms.  I tried the ignore them part and they do grow good they just dont bloom much for me without lots of fertilizer. 

[Sean]

It may be thriving on old rot which in itself becomes fertilizer. I only grow tropicals and divide them frequently if warranted. New starts need food as does new growth.  What many will consider to be good or even great growth can become amazing growth with a little fertilizer in the correct proportions.

Cheers,
Sean

[Jerry]

I tend to go with Tink.  Yes Sean lots of new growth.  I think the lotus is sending up a few shoots too.

[justme]

I feed mine when I put them back in the ponds in the spring. They always have new growth on them when I do this. Some times I divide them but if I dont have any room for more lilies I just leave them crowded in the pots they are in. I know thats not the best way. I then try to fertilize once a month. I used to use water lily tabs but they got to expensive for my huge collection and I started using Jobes Tomato spikes.  Did not notice any difference between the two. I have never used time release. This poor little lily was in a four inch pot and never got fertilized at all but it was growing in a kiddie pool that had never been cleaned and was full of fish poop.

[landey1230]

Wooohoo!!  We're ready here in AZ.  I just received my lotus tuber from Lawanna and it's about that time.  By this weekend, our temp will reach 80 and maintain that.  So that means it will reach 110 in 3 weeks.  :'(

[tranquility]

Justme...gorgeous lily  ...
Landey-make sure since you are in a very hot area to place the lotus where it will get morning/early afternoon sun and afternoon shade....
Lawanna

[Argos5]

I fed mine today...they looked ready.