| I'm not sure about the yellowing, but sun scalding is possible. It is more likely that you burned them with the chlorination, but they will grow out of it. I clean them by dipping in a soap solution. Nutrient deficiency can cause yellowing as well, but that is seldom the case.
Also, watch for spider mites - water hyacinth's worst pest. If they have spider mites, the leaves will develop what looks like a golden-brown surface crust, even though the leaf is still rigid and upright. This is from the mites piercing the leaf to feed on the liquids within. In extreme cases, you will see what looks like spider webs covering parts of the leaves. The mites can be washed off with a water spray or by dipping in a soap solution and then rinsing in clean water. You can also pull away the discolored leaves before dipping.
I don't think you have to worry about killing them. If you do, you may be able to make a fortune selling the technique.
steve hopkins
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