Altum wrote:

Again, we were talking about unpotted lilies growing on concrete. You
can add ammonium to your pond and see what happens. I'm sticking to
nitrate.

Wait a minute. I just pointed out that ammonium compounds are used in
plant spikes which is a product that is used in potted plants. I never
advocated adding any nitrogen to the water. In fact I make a great
effort to put in enough plants to remove most nitrogen from the water.
As you mention, in plant spikes, ammonium, urea, and nitrate fertilizers
are all used, but not in the water.

The only major nutrient that should be added to the water is potash, not
phosphates or nitrates or ammonium compounds. That is why it is not
practical to expect to have a nice pond and also have unpotted lilies to
bloom prolifically. As I mentioned, my unfertilized, unpotted lilies
bloomed, but not as much as a few potted lilies.

With unpotted lilies healthy water lilies probably is a sign that the
water not ideal for fish. What make the lilies look good would not be
good for the fish. That is a good reason to pot the lilies which is
what I did in my pond.
--
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18,000 gallon (17'x 47'x 2-4') lily pond garden in Zone 6
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA USA