Aquatic pond plants need to be fertilized monthly to flourish and bloom profusely. At Dragonfly Aquatics we recommend Highland Rim Aquatic Plant Fertilizer tablets. Specially formulated for blooming aquatic plants, with a 10-26-10 nutrient ratio.Highland Rim Fertilizer tablets give your waterlilies, lotuses and blooming marginals plenty of phosphorus to produce the most spectacular blossoms possible. The large 10-gram tablets are safe and non-toxic. They will not promote algae blooms in ponds and they will not harm fish or other aquatic life. Highland Rim Aquatic Plant Fertilizer is available in packs of 12, 36, 80 or 300 tablets. Be sure to order fertilizer tablets with your next plant order.

As the weather warms up and we begin to assess what plants we want to add to our ponds this spring, make sure you check out your hardy water lilies to see if they are in need of re-potting. Adding Highland Rim Fertilizer tablets at this time is also a must do. Water lilies need to be fertilized every 4-6 weeks to ensure plenty of flowers this summer.

Dividing the water lilies and re-potting them in early spring will ensure a better performing water lily this summer. Several lilies in the same pot compete for available nutrients resulting in fewer flowers this summer.

Water lilies need to be planted in at least a 1 gallon planting container for best performance. The medium to large varieties should be potted in a 2 to 5 gallon planting container to reach maximum flowering and growing potential. Don't be fooled by purchasing a potted lily in a 4 inch pot and expect it to flourish in your pond. You will end up paying more for the lily, and will still need to purchase a larger container to re-pot the lily in.

A must have to get the maximum blooms of all your water garden plants.  Highland Rim Fertilizer tablets are especially formulated for all your blooming aquatic plants in your pond.  They container a 10-26-10 nutrient ratio.   They can be used on all waterlilies, lotus and any blooming marginal plant in your water garden.  They give your water plants plenty of phosphorus to produce the most spectacular blossoms possible and will keep your lilies and lotus blooming constantly throughout the summer.  You need to fertilize your water garden plants at lease once a month.  These are timed release tablets that are safe and non-toxic.  They will not promote algae blooms in the pond and will not harm fish or other aquatic life.

Purchase Highland Rim Fertilizer tablets here.

To grow stronger, healthier and better plants in your pond garden it is essential to use fertilizer that has nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in it. 

Use a fertilizer that has a lower ratio, such as 6-6-6, which is more often better than using a higher ratio.  A higher ratio, such as 20-20-20 can often burn a plant's roots, causing it more harm than good.  You should stay away from using organic fertilizers in ponds, such as bone meal or fertilizer that release their compounds gradually.  These react differently in pond water than they do in soil.  Often a pond owner will use fertilizers that are basically used for perennials, shrubs or trees.  These are not made for pond water and you need to pay attention to the amount of ingredients if using these.  It is best to use only those fertilizers specially formulated for use in aquatic ponds. 

Microbe Lift developed a liquid fertilizer, Bloom & Grown, that is especially formulated for use in ponds.  Highland Rim Fertilizer Tablets or similar aquatic pond fertilizer tablets work great.  When planting your plants just push them down into the soil in the container and it will feed the plant continuously.  It gives the water gardener more control over the amount of fertilizer they use.  You would want to feed more often in the summer during the growing season than in the spring and fall.  

Customers have told me that their water hyacinths often do not bloom.  An idea to give them that extra boost to bloom is take them out of the pond and put them in a separate container and soak them in liquid fertilizer, such as Miracle Grow, for a day or two.  Then rinse them and return them to the pond.  They soak up the nutrients in the fertilized water and this will help them flower without affecting your pond water.  You can do this with other floating plants as well.

If you want more blooms and healthy plants in your water garden add fertilizer.   You can receive more enjoyment from the work you put into your pond by caring for your plants.