June Hughes writes
In message , K
writes
June Hughes writes
In message .com,
writes
Does anyone have any easy control for blanet weed / string weed in a
pond.

It is that time of year when it seems to be taking hold.

Any suggestions would be greatfully appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation.

Barley straw. It is also very satisfying to poke the end of your
pond-net into it and twist it, so that it forms a lump on the stick.
All you have to do then is slide it off - it provides very good
nutrients for your plants.

But be careful you havn't caught any tadpoles, or even frogs, in it.

It would have to be very dense for that to happen. If there were so
much of it, you would have a huge problem.

It can very easily build up to that level early in the season before the
water lilies and other surface plants have developed full leaf cover.
It's not that the animals are caught to begin with, but the process of
pulling sheets of weed across the pond and wrapping around the stick can
catch them.

Blanket weed likes light and a high nutrient level - you need to
reduce both. You can reduce light by growing plants with floating
leaves over about half the surface of the pond. You can reduce
nutrient by planting something fast growing and harvesting it -
watercress is one possibility (don't eat it). Barley straw is another
way of reducing nutrient level.

Yes I agree about the barley straw. We use it. See my post.

Yes, that's why I quoted it ;-)

--
Kay