Fertilizing your pond plants has never been this easy, and with a fantastic fertilizer formula. 

Aquascape Once-A-Year Pond Plant Fertilizer 11-3-14 (NPK ratio) is a specially designed time release formula that was created to optimizes the growth and blooming of aquatic plants. Once-A-Year Pond Plant Fertilizer is formulated to feed for 180 days at an average water temperature of 77 degrees F, with no excess nitrogen to stress the plant and low phosphorus to reduce the risk of algae growth.

This is the only fertilizer we know of currently on the market that was actually designed for aquatic plants, and the formula is the result of recent studies done for NASA that showed optimum nutrient ratios for best growth and blooming. Surprisingly, the formula is very different than what has been taught for decades--we tested it, and there is indeed a big improvement in flowering. The high potassium in the formulation encourages incredible flowering for aquatic plants. Both the capsule and granular are perfect for fertilizing waterlilies, lotus and other pond plants. This once-a-year fertilizer will maximize plant growth and increase flower production for the entire year.

The release is temperature dependent--in Spring and Fall temperatures the release rate is lower, and in Northern Winter temperatures when the plants don't need fertilizer it basically stops releasing completely. This means the release rate almost perfectly meets the needs of the plants, and also means that almost all climates the 180 day release actually extends to an entire year. Land-based slow release fertilizers don't work the same as they release much more quickly when completely underwater, and may also release too quickly in warm temperatures. 

Use capsules for fertilizing existing pond plants--easy to push into soil, won’t break apart

The bag contains 6 very large thick capsules made of gelatin (there is also a bag of 12 available). These are sturdy and may be inserted into a hole made in the soil. The gelatin will dissolve fairly quickly, leaving the slow release fertilizer under the soil where the roots can utilize it. See instructions below: