When do I stop fertilizing water lilies?

by NannaGrandma
(Rockwood, Ontario, Canada)

The days are getting shorter (almost September), the air temperature is cool at night....do I give the water lilies one last feed or stop now? Some of the outer leaves are turning yellow....due to shortened daylight? or lack of fertilizer? I fed them the start of August. Also the Lotus is shutting down the aerial leaves...same question. Lack of light or lack of fertilizer? Thanks so much, Doug


Doug says that I'd stop feeding now. Those yellowing leaves are normal at this time of year (lowering sun levels, cooler water etc) I generally stop feeding in August (last feed is July) and let everything harden off for winter.

Tropicals that never really go dormant can be fed from here on - if you're going to overwinter them indoors but hardy lilies and lotus should be fine now.