Pond Advice Needed!

[JohanJ]

Oooooooh, good spot, my personal fave (after watercress of course). Equisetum hyemale (Scouring Rush) - keep it in a pot to stop it spreading too much, but great in the winter with its evergreen stem, a genuine throwback to the age of the dinosaurs and always a conversation starter.

[N0z]

Originally Posted by JohanJ

Oooooooh, good spot, my personal fave (after watercress of course). Equisetum hyemale (Scouring Rush) - keep it in a pot to stop it spreading too much, but great in the winter with its evergreen stem, a genuine throwback to the age of the dinosaurs and always a conversation starter.

Beautifull and thanks!

[Shell1]

Can anyone out there advise me about Hydrocotyle. I bought it in a pot as an oxygenator and put in my pond. It has almost died and so I took it out and just stood it at the edge. It seems to be starting to grow but really slowly. Should it be under the surface---how deep? And does it need a pot and soil or can it just float? Thanks.

[King Edward]

Which species of Hydrocotyle do you have? If it's the native H. vulgaris (Marsh Pennywort) then I think it would be happier in waterlogged soil at the pond edge, as you have it now, rather than actually underwater. If it's the alien H. ranunculoides (Floating Pennywort), often mis-sold as the native species, then destroy it before it takes over (it's extremely vigorous and will swamp everything else).

[jaelen]

Hello, Shell- I think it will depend on the variety... I was planning on getting some of that as well, (it's commonly known as Marsh Pennywort, isn't it?) but when I Googled 'Hydrocotyle', Wikipedia says that there are between 75 to 100 species of it.
Most seem to grow in the water, but some prefer to grow on the soil around ponds and lakes, or even in coastal regions. I think you'll need to find out exactly which one you have first- is there any way you can post a photo of it?

PS. Sorry- seemed to have posted at the same time as King Edward!

[Shell1]

Thanks to all for answers. The label on the plant says 'Hydrocotyle Nova Zealand' Oxygenator -and in the corner 'Buy British'. Is this an imported plant and not to be used? The leaves are small-a bit like mustard and cress.

[King Edward]

Yours might be Hydrocotyle novae-zeelandiae (New Zealand Pennywort), which I think I remember seeing in the water plants section at a local garden centre. There is some information about New Zealand
Hydrocotyle species here, which may not be very relevant. For one thing, there's no guarantee that plants sold commercially under a certain name are actually that species.

Either way, I wouldn't personally put this in a pond, and despite the claim on the label I doubt it will oxygenate your pond to any extent.

[Tringa]

Jaelen, I'd be tempted to clean the pond in the next month or so. I have seen some tadpoles in our pond very late into autumn - I suspect some never develop into frogs. The late summer/early autumn may help new plants to establish.

You could run the water through a fine net to catch any taddies, but I think there are going to be some casualties.

If you know any one who will lend you a pump it makes getting at least some of the water out a lot easier.

We found that getting up close and personal was the only way to deal with the gunge (flip-flops and wade in) and to get the frogs out. Though most decided to jump back in as soon as they could. Our pond is similar in size to yours and we stopped counting the frogs at about 40.

Good luck and yes, take some photos.

Dave

[Shell1]

Thankyou King Edward---I had a look at the link and I think I will take your advice and abandon this specimen!!!!!!!!!