We have already covered the "how" and "when" of caring for aquatic plants in previous articles; here we'll continue with aspects of ongoing up-keep. There are at least two main ways of approaching this material; by topic (e.g. fertilization, pest control) and chronological application. Let's do the former here and offer a time-line checklist under the heading: Maintenance; General Care For Your Pond. Physical Maintenance: Starting in early to later Spring, depending on how cold a climate you live in, some routine (weekly) removal of unwanted "trash" and "rotting" plant material is instigated. You want to balance such "house-keeping" efforts with the aesthetic advantages to be gained against the wear and tear that you'll be causing your plant stocks; especially if they're all just been re-planted or installed for the first time (due to it being a new system or freshly "defrosted").

As with roses, fruit trees et alia, there is no general consensus as to how to go about this. A few of my own perspectives and techniques: For lilies, lotus and their family (Nymphaeaceae) relatives, whose petioles and pads age/die as they are turning from yellow to brown, are best pinched off by crushing near their base. Large, emergent, spade like leaves of plants as irises may be handily cut at an angle near the waters surface. Take care not to pull on rooted plants as this will likely stir up the soil at their bas ...

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