pond plants

[marktench]

hi i got this pond plant which started off on the mirgins but it's got so big that i have to stand it on the bottom off the pond now but the problem is that it keeps falling over all the time the plant is a type of bullrush it's about 7 foot tall with these cirgar like things on the end off them.Any tips how to keep it steady in the pond?

[kaitkaitkait]

Hi Mark - your best bet is to shore it up with big stones or stake it if you can, I think, unless you can take it out and start again, planting it at the bottom of your pond in a large planting crate with aquatic compost, weighing it down with a few stones in the bottom and dressing the top with gravel. Rushes will grow significantly deeper than marginal depths.

They are rather vigorous for smaller ponds. One way to prevent them from spreading too much is to cut the "sausage" things off before they scatter seeds everywhere, and at root level, you can line the planting crate with hessian to prevent roots from shooting along the bottom of your pond and springing up everywhere.

...unless of course you want them everywhere.

Hope this helps!
Kait

[kaitkaitkait]

Sorry - I just re-read your post and you'd already said it was at the bottom of the pond.

Is it planted in a large enough crate, weighed down with stones to stop it from tipping over?

[Tursiops2]

How big is your pond? If you're talking about Common Bulrush Typha latifolia, it can quickly take over a small pond. You might regret introducing it.
T2

[tucuxi]

Sorry to be pedantic but its great reedmace,Typha is not the same plant as bulrush Schoenoplectus lacustris-
The plant described is Typha, it is invasive in ponds but very easy to deal with - you just pull up what you don't want - the rhysomes are edible if your brave, and its a pretty good for wildlife if you don't let it take over.

[marktench]

It as took over a fair bit of the pond but it's easy to control i just pull or cut of what i don't want any more so i got a few roots in water don't know why but i did'nt want to throw them away.I know it's a bit of work keeping it under control but it's such a lovely plant so that's why i keep it.

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by tucuxi

Sorry to be pedantic but its great reedmace,Typha is not the same plant as bulrush Schoenoplectus lacustris-
The plant described is Typha, it is invasive in ponds but very easy to deal with - you just pull up what you don't want - the rhysomes are edible if your brave, and its a pretty good for wildlife if you don't let it take over.

According to Wikipedia, S. lacustris is the Common Club Rush.
List of the vascular plants of Britain and Ireland 8 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by marktench

It as took over a fair bit of the pond but it's easy to control i just pull or cut of what i don't want any more so i got a few roots in water don't know why but i did'nt want to throw them away.I know it's a bit of work keeping it under control but it's such a lovely plant so that's why i keep it.

Fair enough If you're happy with the work, it is a good-looking plant.
T2

[tucuxi]

According to Wikipedia, S. lacustris is the Common Club Rush

Well thats Wiki for you - constantly edited by people who don't know their reedmace from thier bulrush
I think I'll stick with Francis Rose on this one

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by tucuxi

I think I'll stick with Francis Rose on this one

I should have done that myself, you are right. It just goes to show the importance of using taxonomic names, and of not relying on Wikipedia. A lesson learned there.
T2