Plant life in goldfish/koi pond?

[Tony]

I have also seen covers made from plastic hanging baskets upside down on the planter. I use plastic boxes with netlon over the top. As OD says you need vigorous growing lillies to stand any chance with koi or carp of any description

[Old Dragon]

The lilies are not looking their best right now so here's an older pic...

[Rich5ltr]

That's really impressive. So, have you got the bins up to the top of the water level to stop the koi getting in? Or how is it arranged?

[Old Dragon]

To start with we had the bins on the shelf so the top was just a few centimetres under the surface, not enough room for the fish to get in, but now the plants are well established they are on the bottom of the pond. There's no soil in them now, the rhizomes are tied into the bins on top of a few large stones/boulders to weigh them down. They still lift a little and float around the pond when there's enough leaves though.

[Feline]

Blimey, that's one vigorous looking lilly

[Old Dragon]

Nope, it's two vigorous looking lilies, one red/pink one white.

[Rich5ltr]

After several months I've finally got round to making my water lily koi deterrent! I've had the lily in a trug to grow on and get some decent size leaves. Now I've zip tied it t a plastic pot and put a plastic basket over the top. I am sure the fish can still get through but it may just deter them from eating off every new bud as they emerge ! Time will tell...

Well double good news, not only have I seen the sarasa comet that I thought was missing in action following a visit from Hissing Sid but I now have two lily leaves on the surface that the hooligan koi haven't eaten. Maybe there's hope for my contraption after all!

[Rich5ltr]

I guess everyone's ponds are now going into autumn but amazingly my water lily guard worked a treat. I've had about 8 or more leaves come through, no flower buds but at least the plant has been able to get to the surface without being eaten! maybe next year it will flower. Pond is still a bit green but I'll work on that next - on the success of my lily guard I may press on with my elodea salad bar contraption for next year!