How to remove water lily leaves

Video: Dividing and repotting water lilies.

Content

Steps
Method 1 of 2: Physical removal
Method 2 of 2: Chemical Removal
Warnings
Things You’ll Need

Water lily leaves are often prized for decorative purposes, but sometimes, large numbers of lilies in a pond or lake can explode. If more than half of the water is covered with water lilies, then you may have problems. Water lilies can either be removed physically or chemically, but both methods can take you a long time. It is not recommended to remove all the leaves of water lilies floating in the pond, as they often serve as a source of water oxygen for fish and provide shade for all types of living creatures of underwater aquatic life.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Physical removal

1 Guide the boat through the leaves of the water lilies. If you have a body of water, lake or large pond, and you want to remove the leaves of the water lilies, then simply point the way for your boat by paddling through the leaves of the water lilies, opening your way and keeping it open. This is best done with a rowing boat rather than a motorized boat, as water lilies can get caught in the engine blades.
2 Rake up the water lilies. If the pond is relatively calm and the roots of the water lilies are not too tangled, then shallow raking is a viable solution for removing the leaves of the water lilies. Place the boat in the middle of the pond, or make your way to the center of the pond if the water is shallow enough. Use a standard rake to pull the water lilies off the surface of the water. Some hardy varieties may have firm roots that are difficult to rake in and you may not be able to remove the water lilies. This works well as a short-term solution, but water lilies often regrow.
3 Fill your fish pond. If the water lilies are growing in their own private pond, then add some white carp (note: carps are rare species and can be aggressive) or other fish that will dine on water lilies, naturally reducing the number of them that form on the surface. Generally, adding two fish per acre of water is an effective solution. The fish should be young, as young fish eat more than older fish.
4 Use a shovel. This method is best used in shallow bodies of water so you can get into the water. While standing in the water, hit the lily root with the metal edge of the shovel. Loosen the root and then lift the freed water lily from the surface of the water. This can be time consuming and difficult to do alone and in a large pond. This is effective as it removes the water lily leaves at the root of the problem.
5 Try a water mower. The water mower is a special tool that works like a weed cutter, in addition, it cuts off weeds and all vegetation that grows on the surface of the pond. Commonly used against algae and algae, but also works against water lilies. The mower can be used from a boat so that it can be used in deep ponds as well as shallow water bodies.

Method 2 of 2: Chemical Removal

1 Use chemicals after the primary flowering period. Chemical treatments are the most effective and least safe to permanently damage your pond ecosystem.
2 Figure out where to apply the treatment. Chemicals are usually applied from the center of the pond outward, treating small areas at a time.Spraying an entire pond at once can cause decomposition of too many plants, and can deprive aquatic life of valuable oxygen. To avoid this, apply the treatment in the most overgrown areas of the pond, before moving on to other small areas after a few weeks after the treatment.
3 Apply agricultural surfactants. When applying the herbicide directly to the lily, you will need to apply the surfactant, having previously dissolved the protective wax coating on the outer surface of the water lilies. Spray the top of the water lily.
4 Choose the right type of herbicide. Glyphosate-based herbicides are most commonly used to remove water lilies, but imazapyr-based herbicides also work. Both non-selective broad spectrum herbicides can substantially kill any plant they come into contact with, but also kill plants underwater.
5 Apply the herbicide to the top of the water lily. Follow the directions on the herbicide label to determine the appropriate dosage. Typically, aqueous herbicides are sprayed directly over the top of the lily until the surface is completely and evenly coated.
6 Scrape away the dead leaves of the water lilies. The herbicide kills the plants by leaving them floating on the surface. Collect them with a rake. Pull up the roots if possible. While the herbicide was supposed to kill the roots, many dead roots linger on the bottom and can decompose.
7 Repeat this process after a few weeks. Wait two to three weeks between treatments and spraying one small area to avoid disturbing the ecosystem of the reservoir. After the entire pond is covered, return to the already treated areas if there are lily pads left there.

Warnings

Wear protective clothing when removing water lily leaves from your pond or lake. At a minimum, you should wear waterproof boots and a raincoat when wading on the lake. When using chemical treatments, you must also wear protective gloves and goggles.
Know your state's laws regarding the disposal of aquatic plants.
Illegal deletion can result in fines. If removing water lily leaves from a pond that you own is usually fairly loose, the rules governing the process are fairly loose, but a permit may be required depending on how large the body of water is. For many states, removing water lily leaves and other aquatic plants from state waters is not allowed.