Aquatic Plants Flashcards
Deep water aquatic plants
Deep water plants which root into the bed of a pond, but with leaves on the surface e.g. waterlilies
Marginal plants
Grow at the edges of ponds and have their roots in moist soil throughout the year e.g. marsh marigold
Floating plants
Float on the surface e.g. duckweed and water soldier. Some species can become invasive
Bog garden plants
Thrive in waterlogged soil and can withstand occasional flooding e.g. gunnera, iris ensata
Planting and establishment in a garden pool
Plant in purpose built baskets or crates which make it easy to lift to divide or replace and alter the planting.
In wildlife ponds planting can be straight into soil on bottom of pool or shelves but not always suitable so vigorous species can dominate and makes thinning and removal of plants difficult.
Fill pond with water a few days prior to planting to allow temperature to settle and micro organisms to dispense impurities.
Aquatic containers
Have wide flat bases for stability.
Open lattice walls at allow water and gases to circulate through the soil.
Should be lined with polypropylene sheeting or Hessian to prevent soil seepif out.
Planting
Aquatics should be planted when in active growth, late spring to mid summer.
Grow well in good garden soil, preferably heavy loam.
Use soil that hasn’t been fertilised or manured recently.
Sieve out loose organic matter as this will rot or float when submerged.
Planting depth depends on type of plant.
Young plants may need to be planted deeper as they grow.
Oxygenating plants one of first priorities in a new pool and vital to oxygen content of the water.
Routine care
Leaks - accommodate plants is suitable container such as a paddling pool if necessary to drain to check for leaks.
Once a balance of plants is established the water should remain clear. Changes in water balance may result in surge of harmless but unsightly algal growth.
Algae
Depend on sunlight, co2 and dissolved minerals for survival.
To reduce growth reduce the amount of light by growing sufficient plants that floating leaves cover 50-70% of the water surface.
Introduction of oxygenating plants helps starve out the algae.
If water is persistently cloudy wih adequate plants then it may be necessary to use an algaecide.
Barley straw and algaecide can help.
Clear out dead material quickly as this reduces the waters oxygen content
Blanket weed
Form of algae sometimes found in pools with otherwise clear water.
Remove periodically by winding onto a stick or removing with a rake to prevent chocking of pond.
Barley straw and algaecide can help.
Clear out dead material quickly as this reduces the waters oxygen content.
Pond cleaning
Keep clear of fallen leaves
Trim plants regularly
Remove decaying organic matter every few years and allow water chemistry to balance again.
Plant care and control
Periodic division and reporting helps keep plants healthy and attractive.
Autumn maintenance
Keep water free from decaying vegetation.
When plants start to die down remove dead or dying foliage regularly and prune back excess growth of submerged plants.
Can cover pond with fine mesh plastic if deciduous plants nearby to catch fallen leaves.
In cold areas protect tender plants by removing them and placing them in a bucket of water in and frost free place to overwinter.
Cut off seed pods of invasive plants to prevent them setting seed.
Remove any pumps and clear before storing them until spring.
Winter care
Ensure a small area remains ice free to prevent methane build up which can kill fish, and ice damaging the pond and it expands. This can be done by floating a ball, using a floating pool heater or a hot pan to melt the ice.
Pests and disease
Pests less of a problem if fish in the pond. Any infestations can be cleared off by hand or washed off with a hosepipe.
Insecticides are unsuitable.
In late summer aphids can attack aerial parts of water lilies and other plants, causing discolouration and decay. Dislodge with a jet of water or submerge leaves for 24hrs.
