Im in the process of setting up a pond...

[kathateria]

Hello,experts!
Well I bought some marginal plants last week.
I put one in,that was soaked in a pot,straight in the water,with the hope the water wont wash the soil it is in away,and leave a floating marsh marigold!
The rest are potted,and the oxygenaters are weighed down on the base of the pond,
one is in a pot,as a marginal oxygenator, hippuris vulgaris.
The others are geum rivale
Water iris.

I won 12 plants on ebay nymphoids peltata, for £1.04...daft price, and too many for my 180 litre pond. I didnt expect to get them! (so if anyone wants any...)

They are around 4 inches.What is the correct way to plant at this size? Height wise? as much information as I can get please.I want to do it right first time.

[dampflippers]

Nymphoides peltata 15 to 60cm deep. Tied to a stone would be ok.
Fringed water-lily - Nymphoides peltata - Natural England

[King Edward]

I wouldn't plant the Nymphoides too deep at first if it's only a small plant. Perhaps 6" below the surface. The Iris should be quite near the surface, with perhaps 1" of water over it. Geum rivale would be better in damp soil, rather than actually in the water.

If these are growing already planted in soil, you'd probably be best removing the soil which is likely to be quite high in nutrients (unless you know it's low nutrient aquatic soil) and repotting the plants in either aquatic compost or clean sand/gravel. This should also slow the growth of the plants a bit and stop them overwhelming the pond if it's quite small (especially if it's Iris pseudacorus, which is very vigorous).

[kathateria]

well.
Lots going on around the pond.Garden birds are loving it,especially Blackbirds
The added bird feeding stations are attracting alot more feathered friends too.
Ive planted patio plants around the edges,to disguise it a little.They cover the soil,so it will drown out weeds too.
Ive put new grass seed around too,as it was patchy.
The watercress I recently added,is on the edge,by the little ramp exit,so they can clamber on it.The rock is for the birds to perch on,for a drink.
Im waiting for more rain,to dilute the algae that bloomed in there
What do you think?
Praying for rain now,to water in the plants.
Here is the progress,over the past few weeks.

[kathateria]

A few changes,and a little plant and grass growth,here it is today.
Ive replaced alot of water,as the rain has poured.I want rid of the green.I guess it will settle.
The last picture is how it is now.Ive topped it up a little,with rain water from the water butt.

[tom00_uk]

the greens not a problem and with an increase in grazing zoo plankton it will fade.

Your body of water is quite small so likely to undergo fluctuations more quickly than a larger body of water. It might be an idea to top it up to the top of the sides with rain water, this will make it easier for things to get out if they fall in, birds will be able to drink from it and you need as much water as possible to try and limit the temperature, dissolved oxygen contraction etc swings

[kathateria]

Im waiting for mother nature to send me some more wet stuff
She has been doing a good job, the past few days
The rocks at the one side,are quite sturdy,so should be ideal for birds drinking post! I doubt I have frogs yet,but Im certain they will be able to get out,as there is a ramp moulded in the liner,and stepping stones. The water cress should act as a step in its own right,once its taken root in the sand bed Ive put in the margin