Another blanketweed question!

agrumpycow · #1 (**permalink**) 18-06-2009, 01:55 PM

We're managing the blanketweed problem in our newish pond but simply hoiking it out while we wait for the other plants to become established and, hopefully, help to keep it at bay or at least manageable.
The problem we have at the moment is that a lot of the oxygenating plants at the bottom are being lost as they are caked in the blanketweed and cannot be seperated from it.
This is a longshot, but, is there a way to protect them from the blanketweed from the time-being because at this rate it's going to get quite expensive to keep replacing it.

yorkieuk · #2 (**permalink**) 18-06-2009, 05:42 PM

You could use some sort of algicide and this wont affect the other plants in your pond, or barley straw if you want a more natural method.

You could try this product that doesn't harm other plants, wildlife or filtration bacteria http://www.bradshawsdirect.co.uk/Bra...&cookie_test=1

ilia123 · #3 (**permalink**) 18-06-2009, 05:56 PM

I wouldn't really suggest using algicides, the water must be as clean and pollutant free as possible to attract wildlife.

I think you should just leave the pond and see how it is within a few weeks; blanket weed isn't as bad as people make it out to be, you will notice that when you pull it out you will have lots of little insects on the weed which suggests that it is a good habitat for them, and a wildlife pond should be about purpose not artifice.

Initially I would address the causes: 1) too many nutrients in the water (fallen leaves, earth, tap water, etc) 2) too much sunshine (consider covering it) then I would add barley straw to decompose and remove the blanket weed (though this may take some time!)

agrumpycow · #4 (**permalink**) 18-06-2009, 06:08 PM

Cheers for the replies

I'm confident the cause is too much sunshine - it's a new pond and the floating plants are just too small to make an impact at the moment. No tap-water or excess debris has made it's way in.
It has been present for several weeks now. Any we remove we are putting on the edge of the pond so any creatures can make their way back

I don't mind a bit of blanketweed, as mentioned it provides a habitat in itself, it's just the amount is affecting the bottom oxygenating plants now.
I think I'll look into barley straw or the extract until the sunshine into the pond is naturally decreased by the growing floating plants. Ta

Kayleigh · #5 (**permalink**) 18-06-2009, 06:27 PM

Claire its a loosing battle I pull it out by the handful then it just comes back. I have duck weed now I cant get rid of if you pull the blanketweed out with the oxygenators just pull off as much as you can then throw the oxys back in thats all you can do.
My pond is doing my head in its jam packed full of plants that need raking out but the newts are breeding so everything is on hold even the removal of the blanketweed..

agrumpycow · #6 (**permalink**) 18-06-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Claire its a loosing battle I pull it out by the handful then it just comes back. I have duck weed now I cant get rid of if you pull the blanketweed out with the oxygenators just pull off as much as you can then throw the oxys back in thats all you can do.
My pond is doing my head in its jam packed full of plants that need raking out but the newts are breeding so everything is on hold even the removal of the blanketweed..

All great fun ain't it

Non native · #7 (**permalink**) 26-06-2009, 07:54 PM

Add some watercress, just buy a pack of fresh edible stuff from the supermarket and throw it in, it will grow and remove loads of nutrients from the pond and it is easy to remove it as your pond clears.

It worked for me, and its how sewage treatment works. I also added a straw bale as suggested above (this takes a few weeks to get going) and some pond bacteria (buy from fish shop).

Mark

agrumpycow · #8 (**permalink**) 26-06-2009, 08:20 PM

Last weekend we bought some barley extract; put in the recommended amount and the blanketweed, although still there, seems to be growing at a slower rate despite the warm sunshine we've had this week. The next 'dose' due tomorrow so we'll see what happens as the weeks go by.

galanthus · #9 (**permalink**) 28-06-2009, 10:48 AM

Before my lilypads etc cover the water surface I have a fair bit of weed, i just pull it out when necessary, takes me ages tho as have to remove every flippin creature sigh !!! Once the taddies start arriving next year claire they'll scoff the lot, they love to eat it. Want me to pop two frogs in the post ?