Lily Basket - how to lower it!

[Maggiespond]

I have decided to plant my water lily in a really large planting basket - but once filled how do I lower it into the pond? Firstly the pond is very murky (see my earlier thread re muddy water, should I put a lily in at this time, will it get enough light?) and I can't see where the shelves end and the deeper centre of the pond starts, plus the basket will be very, very heavy once filled with aquatic compost, lily plant and topped pea gravel.
The pond, roughly ovoid in shape is 2ft 6ins deep at the deepest point, with wide shelves around 2/3rds of the edge and a slope leading to a deeper shelf on the other 3rd.

Also once I have got the lily in - will I need to take it out again in the future?
(The large basket idea was to avoid this)
Has anyone any suggestions?

[Deb London]

I had to divide one this winter. To put it back I got a plank across the pond to lean on and stripped down to my t-shirt and lowered it with my hands (the water was nearly up to my neck). The basket has its own handle. It needed repairing with a plastic tie. If necessary, I would have made a new handle with plastic ties. Handles are essential for these deep water pots I think.

I think I can see a leaf but there is so much activity in the pond (frogs etc) that I really can't say how well it's doing. But I reckon it will be OK.

PS - you can make two or three handles, in case one breaks. I don't know how heavy the pot is, but I reckon the thickest ties will do it - the pot obviously weighs a lot less in the water.

[tom00_uk]

at 2ft 6ins it should be just about arms length if on your chest on the ground.

another way would be to find a long bit of wood, place a string through the container over the wood and back to the container (keeping the knot where you can see it)

two people one on each side lowers it in coffin style and then undo or cut the string and pull it out once the containers on the bottom

[dampflippers]

I was going to suggest the string thing.

What might be useful for the future is to make a handle for the basket out of non perishable string.
In practice though, when it gets too big you should be able to haul it out by the leaves. It will be very very heavy and have rooted into its surroundings by then.

You could plant it just in gravel, and if necessary tie it into the basket.

Use a bamboo to invesitgae the pond contours. Have a look in at night with a torch, and you might be able to see better.