Thread: blanket weed
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Old 11-06-2006, 03:54 PM posted to alt.garden.pond.chat
Rebecca Ballard, Without a Mouse
 
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Default blanket weed

Hi Sue, I agree with Pete but have a suggestion of something to do
before step one, and that is to get in and phisically remove as much of
the blanket weed as possible first. I use a bit of a branch of a shrub
that has rough bark and then turn the branch around and pull it out. A
net helps too but the branch allows me to get in and get a hold on the
weed that's wrapped around the plants. I have read of someone using a
toilet brush too...

Rebecca

Pete wrote:
Hi Sue

I think you should do 4 things.

First, ensure there is no current in the pond. That's why I suggested
moving the pump to the base of the waterfall. A current encourages blanket
weed growth. By pumping water from the base of the waterfall, you minimise
currents.

Secondly, ensure there are enough water plants to use up the nutrients in
the water and starve the blanket weed.

Thirdly, if you don't have one, install a UV filter. Although they are
mainly to prevent algae, I find they also help against blanket weed.

Finally, having cleared as much blanket weed as you can, use a proprietary
chemical solution to kill the rest.

Hopefully, it won't return.

I did the above 4 things and I've had no problems since.

One other thing: try to minimise the use of tap water in the pond. I know
it's unavoidable sometimes though. My garage roof drains into 2 water
butts, and I use these to top up the pond

Pete


"sue ring" wrote in message
news:LxWhg.26909$S61.18163@edtnps90...
Thank you, I do have a small waterfall with one of my small pumps at the
base of where the water falls. My main pump is in the middle of the pond,
on the bottom. I have made a filter system that keeps the water crystal
clear except for the blanket weed. I went to a web site that suggested
using potassium permanganet to kill the weed but so far I have been to
fearful of what that might do. I have stripped the pond down to nothing a
few times and thought that I had got rid of the weed, only to find that I
must have missed some, somewhere.
Does that help you any? Should I move the big pump to the bottem of the
fall and the smallone to the middle of the pond?
Sue
"Pete" wrote in message
...

"sue ring" wrote in message
news:lpFfg.497$I61.210@clgrps13...
Hello, I have a smallish pond with blanket weed that was introduced by a
plant someone gave me as a present. I have been fighting this weed for
two years and am thinking that whatever I do is not working. Help
please.
I have tried more shade and bio-barley but it just seems to have no
effect.
I am going to be away and can't even think about what the pond will look
like by the time I get back.
Thanks
Sue



Hi Sue

Do you have a waterfall? If so, put the pump as near to the base of the
waterfall as you can

Pete