Water Lilies Choking Pond

Question

I am getting married in September (the 21st of this year). On the farm where we are getting married, there is a lily pond and the pond is about 5 feet by 6 feet in diameter. There is a lily pad plant in the pond that has taken over the pond. We would like to cut the pads back but we think that bulb has gotten so big it needs to be removed or something. We don’t want to remove it because we have lost all the lily pads for the pond and that is what makes it look nice; however, we can’t leave it like it is. I don’t know much about lily pads, so I am not sure if we should remove it, buy a new plant and try to plant a new plant – but will that grow in time for the wedding? OR is there a way to cut the bulb in pieces and remove part of the plant and keep a part of the plant? Or will that simply kill it? Any suggestions you have on dealing with this would be helpful. We are in Cambridge, Md. I am supposed to work on this project starting tomorrow – so please email me at [e-mail] with any advice you have. Thanks! PS. I don’t know what kind of lily pad it is or really much about it only that it appears there is one bulb that is gargantuan.
Thank you,
Adriane

Answer 1

Water lily rhizomes can be divided. You can leave the pads on when you divide it and it should be fine. That way you have a smaller plant without losing the pads.

Here is more information on dividing it:
http://www.victoria-adventure.org/waterlilies_images/hardy_prop/page1.html