When crayfish are abundant and other foods are in short supply crayfish will eat new sprouts of water lilies. Crayfish at very high density can eliminate water lilies in a pond. Others browers such as turtles and grass carp can also eat water lilies, although they often trim off the stems and probably do not eat much of the plant. In bare new ponds with little vegetation water fowl can also damage lily stems and leaves. Rotting stems at the base could be due to improper planting technique by burying the root too deep; a common problem in direct pond planting.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 05/21/15 11:00 AM.
