[tode]

I managed to get a few water lilies to take root in the pond, about 20 years ago.
They took a while to get established, but for the last few years theyre going bonkers.
Got to the point now where they cover 3/4 of the pond.
Have tried pulling them out, but they refuse (the few I got out had roots as big as my forearm 
Anybody got an idea about how to seriously reduce them?
Please pplease please dont say I should have put them in pots 
Am getting desperate.

[poultrygeist]

Waders. Reach down. Pull like mad.

How big's your pond tode ?

I know you can divide them but as you say, baskets are the way forward 
Is it lined or natural ?
if natural, would you get away with a bit of digging and rocking ?

Rob

[tode]

Hi Rob,
its about 30 m x 40 m and was originally dug directly into clay soil. Has no liner.
They are so thick now that they form a mat of branching roots. My efforts so far have just resulted in breaking off chunks of root.
Im getting to the stage now of considering spot treatment with Roundup, but afraid that all the life in the pond will suffer.
Because its about 30 years old, and deep in the middle, its not easy using waders.
Would repeated cutting of the leaves work?

[8doubles]

I`ve seen a gel type herbicide used on mares tail/ broad leaved pondweed to good effect but lily has much bigger roots and these would be left rotting in the bottom of the pond and might cause de-oxygenation . A winch and grapnel backed up by a couple of members of the local sub-aqua club is a more eco friendly way.

[poultrygeist]

I would agree that herbicide in a pond isn't the best for the other flora and fauna. Could you introduce some fish that enjoy nibbling on water lilies ?

Or ducks ?
Lots of them 

Rob

[sunshineband]

You could try wading in as far as you can and then trying to slice off/out some of the thick roots with either a knife tied on a stick or one of those gadgets for pruning tree branches up high, from ground level. You can then just net the floating bits out.

I know what you mean about the size of the roots. Our pond is only waist deep and much smaller than yours so we can keep them under control more easily.

The other thought is a bit more radicle -- wait until the autumn and drag them out with a three pronged anchor on a rope. As you have no liner this might work.

[tode]

I've even tried "FREE WATER-LILIES  HELP YOURSELF" but without avail.
When I think of the trouble I had getting them rooted 
What I need is a vegetarian shark 

[8doubles]

Get Ray Mears round he`ll eat `em. Need to hide anything burnable tho`.

[sunshineband]

Grass carp eat vegetation and grow pretty big 

[tam]

I would think the only way would be to hack off chunks and pull them out. Maybe leaver them up. If it's deep/difficult you could try a specialist or drain it a bit but I don't know how much that would set you back.

[tode]

Just going to have to bite the bullet I suppose. 
Thanks for suggestions anyway.

[Sue33]

good luck tode, would love to see some photos 

[tode]

Having a bit of trouble getting the photo to pass. Trying again.
You can see that 2/3 of the pond is covered (this Spring), and in the middle theyre climbing out of the water (Day of the Triffids ?), presumably because theyre too tightly packed in now.
10/10 for the moorhens, but 0/10 for the flowers 

[poultrygeist]

Beautiful location. What are those trees at the back ? Is that colour for real ?

Rob

[tode]

Pic taken from kitchen door (back of house), when the sun was setting (in front of house). the colour is from the setting sun: no tricksy touching-up on this forum 
The trees are willows which grew from seed, so I dont know exactly which sort. They have silvery leaves.