Was wondering if anyone has used "wild" water lilies from lakes in their backyard pond? I was planning on getting some water lilies from a local lake and planting them in containers and putting them in my pond. Will this cause any major problems with the eco system already established? I've had the pond for 1 yr, it's 12' x 14' and has some goldfish and koi - also has a waterfall.

Thanks in advance.

Ralph

Hello Ralph, and welcome aboard.

I wouldn't chance it. In most instances it's probably okay, but for me the chance of bringing in a parasite, disease, sickness, or anything else unwanted like duck weed isn't worth chancing to save a couple bucks.

Just my $.02 cents.

There is enough duckweed, parasites, algae, snails, etc. coming in with the commercial-bought plants that I get that I wouldn't be bothered to add pond plants from a wild pond. I used to treat my new plants with potassium permanganate but the algae and snails found a way in to the pond anyway. I don't see why you couldn't use the wild water lilies with the land owner's permission. Look them over for hitch hiking animals and plants. I added cattails and a few other plants from the local drainage pond when my pond was new.

A note of caution. Be sure you know what species of plant you are getting from the "wild." It's easy to add plants but hard to remove ones if they grow like mad. Many "invasive" species grow in wild ponds, and you may not want them.

Algae will bring itself in, just from the sun eehhh?

Also be careful the Lilies aren't planted and/or protected by Fish and game, Corp. of Engineers, etc. for specific reasons (engineering, wildlife, whatever). The reason I say that is because I often thought of taking lotus from the mississippi; then found out later I could face crininal charges if caught, as they were planted/protected by the Corp. of Engineers.

Algae spores are often present in tap and well water. It would be a neat experiment though. Fill up a gallon glass jar that was sterile (soak in dilute bleach and then in fresh water with dechlorinator) with distilled water. Put it in a sunny window. Try it with and without a lid. Try it outside and inside. I would bet that algae will grow eventually even in the indoor jar with a lid. It would grow fastest outside without a lid. Some people say algae spores are in the air.

I did mention to ask the landowner's permission mostly because people don't like trespassers or people taking their plants. If it's government land, you probably won't get permission, specially planted or protected plants or not.