So last year I tried starting water lilies by putting them in tubs and wrapping the outside of the tub in chicken wire to create a fence with an open top. It kind of worked, but as the lillies grew and I pushed the tubs deeper in the water to not see the fence above the surface, not only did the fish manage to get in and push & bend my fence, they also ate anything that grew on the outside.
This year instead of a fence "tube" around the tub, I've created a large box of chicken wire all the way around the tub and placed them so the wire is just under the surface of the water creating 360 protection. My thought is that the pads at the surface will sit right on top of the box protecting them more.
I'm hoping that if I give them a year or two + to establish and grow a good size root system, they will be large enough to handle getting eaten some with less protection.
BTW I've got about 5 White Amur in 1/2 acre pond (.4).
thanks for advice. I got 3 put in tubs and in the water. 4 more on order. I built a fence to keep carp out. fingers crossed. Its not the most esthetic way but hopefully get good start for lilies. I'm planning to put some fathead minnows in area to see if they can live under lilies.
