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#1
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Is this blanket weed?
Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house and
knowing next to nothing about pond care, I am wondering about some weed that has appeared. I've read all the stuff about how to get rid of blanket weed but am not sure if this what I've got! This weed is growing all over the sides and bottom of the pond (the pond is fibreglass) and looks a bit like an extra-long green shag pile carpet (that sounds silly, but it does look EXACTLY like that!) Actually it's not unattractive! It is firmly attached to the sides although it comes away easily if pulled. It is not spreading across the pond surface or anything like that. Does this sound like blanket weed to people or is it something esle? If the latter then should I remove it? (not an easy job as the pond is 4'deep in the middle and has about 45 fish in it!) Thanks for your thoughts Heather |
#2
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Is this blanket weed?
"Heather" wrote in message om... Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house and knowing next to nothing about pond care, I am wondering about some weed that has appeared. I've read all the stuff about how to get rid of blanket weed but am not sure if this what I've got! This weed is growing all over the sides and bottom of the pond (the pond is fibreglass) and looks a bit like an extra-long green shag pile carpet (that sounds silly, but it does look EXACTLY like that!) Actually it's not unattractive! It is firmly attached to the sides although it comes away easily if pulled. It is not spreading across the pond surface or anything like that. Does this sound like blanket weed to people or is it something esle? If the latter then should I remove it? (not an easy job as the pond is 4'deep in the middle and has about 45 fish in it!) Thanks for your thoughts Heather If it is green, healthy, and not causing a problem (and 45 fish are probably not wrong) then I would leave it alone :-) Doesn't sound like blanket weed anyway. |
#3
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Is this blanket weed?
"Heather" wrote in message om... Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house and knowing next to nothing about pond care, I am wondering about some weed that has appeared. I've read all the stuff about how to get rid of blanket weed but am not sure if this what I've got! This weed is growing all over the sides and bottom of the pond (the pond is fibreglass) and looks a bit like an extra-long green shag pile carpet (that sounds silly, but it does look EXACTLY like that!) Actually it's not unattractive! It is firmly attached to the sides although it comes away easily if pulled. It is not spreading across the pond surface or anything like that. Does this sound like blanket weed to people or is it something esle? If the latter then should I remove it? (not an easy job as the pond is 4'deep in the middle and has about 45 fish in it!) Thanks for your thoughts Heather If it is green, healthy, and not causing a problem (and 45 fish are probably not wrong) then I would leave it alone :-) Doesn't sound like blanket weed anyway. |
#4
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Is this blanket weed?
"Heather" wrote in message Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house and knowing next to nothing about pond care, I am wondering about some weed that has appeared. I've read all the stuff about how to get rid of blanket weed but am not sure if this what I've got! This weed is growing all over the sides and bottom of the pond (the pond is fibreglass) and looks a bit like an extra-long green shag pile carpet (that sounds silly, but it does look EXACTLY like that!) Actually it's not unattractive! It is firmly attached to the sides although it comes away easily if pulled. It is not spreading across the pond surface or anything like that. Does this sound like blanket weed to people or is it something esle? If the latter then should I remove it? (not an easy job as the pond is 4'deep in the middle and has about 45 fish in it!) Blanket weed is exactly like thin green hair but I would not have expected it to be growing well yet, it prefers a bit of warmth and sun to really get under way. It may well be the start of it though. To grow it needs nutrients so if you have lots of proper plants in your pond especially water lilies for shade, and keep your pond bottom clean you should minimise your risk, however if you top up with Nitrate laced tap water watch out. -- Regards Bob Use a useful Screen Saver... http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/ and find intelligent life amongst the stars |
#5
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Is this blanket weed?
"Heather" wrote in message Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house and knowing next to nothing about pond care, I am wondering about some weed that has appeared. I've read all the stuff about how to get rid of blanket weed but am not sure if this what I've got! This weed is growing all over the sides and bottom of the pond (the pond is fibreglass) and looks a bit like an extra-long green shag pile carpet (that sounds silly, but it does look EXACTLY like that!) Actually it's not unattractive! It is firmly attached to the sides although it comes away easily if pulled. It is not spreading across the pond surface or anything like that. Does this sound like blanket weed to people or is it something esle? If the latter then should I remove it? (not an easy job as the pond is 4'deep in the middle and has about 45 fish in it!) Blanket weed is exactly like thin green hair but I would not have expected it to be growing well yet, it prefers a bit of warmth and sun to really get under way. It may well be the start of it though. To grow it needs nutrients so if you have lots of proper plants in your pond especially water lilies for shade, and keep your pond bottom clean you should minimise your risk, however if you top up with Nitrate laced tap water watch out. -- Regards Bob Use a useful Screen Saver... http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/ and find intelligent life amongst the stars |
#6
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Is this blanket weed?
"Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... "Heather" wrote in message Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house snip Does this sound like blanket weed to people or is it something esle? If the latter then should I remove it? (not an easy job as the pond is 4'deep in the middle and has about 45 fish in it!) Blanket weed is exactly like thin green hair but I would not have expected it to be growing well yet, it prefers a bit of warmth and sun to really get under way. It may well be the start of it though. To grow it needs nutrients so if you have lots of proper plants in your pond especially water lilies for shade, and keep your pond bottom clean you should minimise your risk, however if you top up with Nitrate laced tap water watch out. Yep, the blanket weed has started in my ornamental feature but not in my pond -- yet. My pond is completely covered with some native-species floating plant. I would rec investing in some as they provide early shade, before the lilly pads make an appearance. I would try googling up 'uk aquatic plant suppliers' (+ links), although it may take a couple of seasons to get a complete cover. Pete |
#7
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Is this blanket weed?
"Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... "Heather" wrote in message Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house snip Does this sound like blanket weed to people or is it something esle? If the latter then should I remove it? (not an easy job as the pond is 4'deep in the middle and has about 45 fish in it!) Blanket weed is exactly like thin green hair but I would not have expected it to be growing well yet, it prefers a bit of warmth and sun to really get under way. It may well be the start of it though. To grow it needs nutrients so if you have lots of proper plants in your pond especially water lilies for shade, and keep your pond bottom clean you should minimise your risk, however if you top up with Nitrate laced tap water watch out. Yep, the blanket weed has started in my ornamental feature but not in my pond -- yet. My pond is completely covered with some native-species floating plant. I would rec investing in some as they provide early shade, before the lilly pads make an appearance. I would try googling up 'uk aquatic plant suppliers' (+ links), although it may take a couple of seasons to get a complete cover. Pete |
#8
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Is this blanket weed?
Pete wrote in message Yep, the blanket weed has started in my ornamental feature but not in my pond -- yet. My pond is completely covered with some native-species floating plant. I would rec investing in some as they provide early shade, before the lilly pads make an appearance. I would try googling up 'uk aquatic plant suppliers' (+ links), although it may take a couple of seasons to get a complete cover. That's Ok unless you want to see your fish, which is the purpose of my pond, so I constantly skim off any floating stuff on my pond. A large bush to shade the pond from direct sunlight would also help although it would not be good for your waterlillies which must have sun to flower well. Interpet do a Pond Tonic salts which is supposed to help prevent the growth of this weed and it also helps the fish's health at the same time, seems to work as we didn't have a problem with blanketweed last year despite the sun/warmth. -- Regards Bob Use a useful Screen Saver... http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/ and find intelligent life amongst the stars |
#9
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Is this blanket weed?
Pete wrote in message Yep, the blanket weed has started in my ornamental feature but not in my pond -- yet. My pond is completely covered with some native-species floating plant. I would rec investing in some as they provide early shade, before the lilly pads make an appearance. I would try googling up 'uk aquatic plant suppliers' (+ links), although it may take a couple of seasons to get a complete cover. That's Ok unless you want to see your fish, which is the purpose of my pond, so I constantly skim off any floating stuff on my pond. A large bush to shade the pond from direct sunlight would also help although it would not be good for your waterlillies which must have sun to flower well. Interpet do a Pond Tonic salts which is supposed to help prevent the growth of this weed and it also helps the fish's health at the same time, seems to work as we didn't have a problem with blanketweed last year despite the sun/warmth. -- Regards Bob Use a useful Screen Saver... http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/ and find intelligent life amongst the stars |
#10
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Is this blanket weed?
In article , Heather
writes Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house and knowing next to nothing about pond care, I am wondering about some weed that has appeared. I've read all the stuff about how to get rid of blanket weed but am not sure if this what I've got! This weed is growing all over the sides and bottom of the pond (the pond is fibreglass) and looks a bit like an extra-long green shag pile carpet (that sounds silly, but it does look EXACTLY like that!) Actually it's not unattractive! It is firmly attached to the sides although it comes away easily if pulled. Yep - it's a type of blanket weed. Get hold of some tadpoles - they love the stuff and will chomp away on it until your surface cover plants are big enough to provide some protection from sunlight -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see |
#11
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Is this blanket weed?
In article , Heather
writes Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house and knowing next to nothing about pond care, I am wondering about some weed that has appeared. I've read all the stuff about how to get rid of blanket weed but am not sure if this what I've got! This weed is growing all over the sides and bottom of the pond (the pond is fibreglass) and looks a bit like an extra-long green shag pile carpet (that sounds silly, but it does look EXACTLY like that!) Actually it's not unattractive! It is firmly attached to the sides although it comes away easily if pulled. Yep - it's a type of blanket weed. Get hold of some tadpoles - they love the stuff and will chomp away on it until your surface cover plants are big enough to provide some protection from sunlight -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see |
#12
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Is this blanket weed?
"Heather" wrote in message om... Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house and knowing next to nothing about pond care, I am wondering about some weed that has appeared. I've read all the stuff about how to get rid of blanket weed but am not sure if this what I've got! This weed is growing all over the sides and bottom of the pond (the pond is fibreglass) and looks a bit like an extra-long green shag pile carpet (that sounds silly, but it does look EXACTLY like that!) Actually it's not unattractive! It is firmly attached to the sides although it comes away easily if pulled. It is not spreading across the pond surface or anything like that. Does this sound like blanket weed to people or is it something esle? If the latter then should I remove it? (not an easy job as the pond is 4'deep in the middle and has about 45 fish in it!) Yes, I think that is blanket weed. If not kept under control it can take the whole pond over in time. They say that submerging a few handfuls of barley straw, obtainable at fish shops, in the water spells the end of the algae. However, I would be inclined to suggest that you should take out as much as you can by hand, before trying the straw treatment. Franz |
#13
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Is this blanket weed?
"Heather" wrote in message om... Having inherited a 20'x 8' pond plus fish with my new house and knowing next to nothing about pond care, I am wondering about some weed that has appeared. I've read all the stuff about how to get rid of blanket weed but am not sure if this what I've got! This weed is growing all over the sides and bottom of the pond (the pond is fibreglass) and looks a bit like an extra-long green shag pile carpet (that sounds silly, but it does look EXACTLY like that!) Actually it's not unattractive! It is firmly attached to the sides although it comes away easily if pulled. It is not spreading across the pond surface or anything like that. Does this sound like blanket weed to people or is it something esle? If the latter then should I remove it? (not an easy job as the pond is 4'deep in the middle and has about 45 fish in it!) Yes, I think that is blanket weed. If not kept under control it can take the whole pond over in time. They say that submerging a few handfuls of barley straw, obtainable at fish shops, in the water spells the end of the algae. However, I would be inclined to suggest that you should take out as much as you can by hand, before trying the straw treatment. Franz |
#14
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Is this blanket weed?
Thanks to you all for your replies.
Unfortunately the taddies in this pond get eaten because of the fish I have a second (fishless) pond with loads of frogspawn and no weed... The first pond does get quite a bit of sunlight before the leaves get on the trees and the water lilies. Unfortunately the previous people were koi keepers and had virtually no other plants - I will be improving this situation this Spring/Summer. (anyone recommend a good online source for ordering water plants?) I have scraped some weed out - quite difficult to get much out without either falling in or going for a wade/swim in the pond! I have topped up a few times with nasty tap water - had to because of leaks before I disconnected the leaky water feature that was dribbling water all over the flower bed next to the pond without me realising. Had also unplugged the magnetic "aqua-mate" device attached to the filter inlet before I read about this possibly helping to reduce weed in the pond. Have now reconnected this and we'll see if it helps. 45 fish - some of whom are quite large do produce lots of "nutrients" (what a polite word for fish poo!) so I have also cleaned out the filter (totally disgusting job and I think the only job in the garden for which I have ever worn rubber gloves!) which may help. If anyone in striking distance of Devizes, Wilts would like some koi (not valuable I am told but quite attractive in their own way) or some large goldfish and what I think might be orfe (or they might just be thin goldfish!) and can collect - then they are free to a good home! Heather |
#15
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Is this blanket weed?
Thanks to you all for your replies.
Unfortunately the taddies in this pond get eaten because of the fish I have a second (fishless) pond with loads of frogspawn and no weed... The first pond does get quite a bit of sunlight before the leaves get on the trees and the water lilies. Unfortunately the previous people were koi keepers and had virtually no other plants - I will be improving this situation this Spring/Summer. (anyone recommend a good online source for ordering water plants?) I have scraped some weed out - quite difficult to get much out without either falling in or going for a wade/swim in the pond! I have topped up a few times with nasty tap water - had to because of leaks before I disconnected the leaky water feature that was dribbling water all over the flower bed next to the pond without me realising. Had also unplugged the magnetic "aqua-mate" device attached to the filter inlet before I read about this possibly helping to reduce weed in the pond. Have now reconnected this and we'll see if it helps. 45 fish - some of whom are quite large do produce lots of "nutrients" (what a polite word for fish poo!) so I have also cleaned out the filter (totally disgusting job and I think the only job in the garden for which I have ever worn rubber gloves!) which may help. If anyone in striking distance of Devizes, Wilts would like some koi (not valuable I am told but quite attractive in their own way) or some large goldfish and what I think might be orfe (or they might just be thin goldfish!) and can collect - then they are free to a good home! Heather |
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