Lily pads are large, floating disks resembling round trays on ponds and lakes. In a viral post, Denver Botanic Gardens issued a social media challenge. The goal was to determine how much weight a lily pad can hold. Garden centers worldwide took up the challenge and sent videos showing their success. The Huntington, a garden, museum, and research library, was one of the contestants.
Videos by InspireMore
The Denver Botanic Gardens began the contest with a hefty 65 pounds of weight on their lily pad. The International Waterlily Weigh-Off was underway (or is that under weigh?). Seventeen teams tossed their pads in the pond to compete. When all the weight was measured, Missouri Botanical Garden won with a whopping 142.1 pounds on a giant lily pad spanning five feet across! Join DBG with a celebration that includes all the pomp and circumstance they could muster.
A separate announcement includes final lily pad weight totals, team placement, and pad measurements for each competing team. While many of the teams were giving their best effort, a few’s lackluster performance might warrant a lecture from their coach. The three lowest teams posted some sad statistics.

A toothpick? Seriously, San Diego Botanic Garden? At least we hope you placed the weight horizontally on the lily pad. Seven fresh acorns for New England Botanical Garden is only slightly better. We’ve seen squirrels that could put more than seven acorns in their mouth at once. We’re curious about the deck of cards. What constitutes “big”? Perhaps a Tarot deck or maybe a double deck?
DBG says this competition is already scheduled for next year. The competition (or at least the lily pads) will be stiff. Please share if you found this contest incredible.
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