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Old 26-05-2004, 07:06 AM
Andrew G
 
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Default Getting rid of duckweed


"Aspley Nursery" wrote in message
...
Hi
Shading will work, but needs to be fairly solid cover.


Hi there,
The questions to ask are
Why do you want to get rid of it anyway?


We don't think it will clog the pumps if the level gets low enough, but it's
still a possibility.
Biggest problem is if the pumps do take it up and manages to squeeze it out
the sprinklers, then it will be sprayed over the fairways (not a big
problem), but worse, it will be sprayed onto the greens. That I imagine will
promote fungal diseases due to moist grass, but more so it will cover the
grass and it will have to be removed from them everytime the sprinklers come
on. To much hassle.

Does it cause a problem?

See above.
May reduce evaporation and warming of the dam,
thus inversion layer.


That may do that, though dam temps here on the mid north coast don't suffer
too much of variation. I should say due to the climate, and the capacity of
the dam from which the water is pumped.
Ducks will continue to bring it back, so even if killed off, it may return


Yeah, that's the problem. Well we got it reduced to a size to where it's
manageable, from scooping, and the water clear chemical.

Cheers
Andrew
ASAP.

Robert

"DD" wrote in message
...
Perhaps a long time solution would be to introduce some vegetarian
fish. I can't help with the name at this stage but they do exist. They
wouldn't be any good getting rid of large amounts of duckweed, just as a
control. I'll ask around for details of suitable fish and post back with
more information if I get any.
DD

Andrew G wrote:
Hi all.

Anyone here had any experience in getting rid of duckweed on a large

scale?
I think that is what it is, I know it's not water cabbage (or

lettuce?).
We have it in one of our dams at work, on a very large scale. Long

story
short, it has made it's way to all dams on a small scale, including

the
front dam where water is pumped from.
We have tried scooping it, and even barracading it off, to no avail. I

have
tried Roundup Biactive (or equivalent), but it doesn't seem to hurt it

as
it's too small for the roundup to stay on it in the water. If it does,

then
my guess is that any bits missed will easily spread quicker than the

rate
sprayed stuff dies.
Copper sulfate did have an effect, but it was only tested in a small

area,
as it seems to affect water pH.
Someone suggested black plastic over it as it doesn't grow in shade,

but
we
haven't tried that as it can be found under shade from some of the

rushes in
the dams.
The ducks have spread it already, and while we can filter it from the

front
dam (though it's probably too late) it won't stop ducks or birds

spreading
it.
I have noticed it on the banks of the dam where water level has

dropped
it
appeared to have died. We can drain all dams bar the front one, but

it's
something we want to avoid due to lack of rain.

Thanks for any advice.