|
Q: What is the recommended amount of plants to put in the pond?
The recommended amount of plants is to have 30-50% of the surface covered. We feel that you should have a good variety of plants. Put in a mix of marginals, oxygenators, and a small amount of lilies.
Back to Top
Q: Do you plant the plants in pots or directly into the gravel?
We plant all the plants except the Lotus directly into the gravel. The plants grow much better in the gravel because their roots will never get bound. The plants will also be able to get more nutrients by letting the root system travel through the gravel and rocks.
Back to Top
Q: What happens to the plants in the winter time?
In the winter, most hardy plants will die back and go dormant. The tropical plants will need to be brought inside or treated as annuals.
Back to Top
Q: Is it true that plants breathe in carbon dioxide during the day and reverse in the night?
No, the truth of the matter is that green plants breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide all the time, both day and night. In addition they use up carbon dioxide and generate oxygen during the day completely separate process know as photosynthesis.
Back to Top
Q: Why do I need plants in my pond?
Aquatic plants are a major part of your ecosystem. Look at them as a biological filter. Plants use nutrients from your water and keep it clean. Without them your pond would be murky and smell.
Back to Top
Q: Will plants reduce the amount of algae I have?
Yes, the more plants you have in your pond, the more nutrients are being used up, and the more surface area is covered, which means less algae.
Back to Top
Q: How do floating plants help my eco-system?
Floating plants like hyacinth and water lettuce are quite vigorous growers, and shade quite a bit of your pond. And their large room mass acts like a screen to absorb nutrients from the water as they pass. Floating plants do great in stream beds.
Back to Top
Q: Do underwater plants help my eco-system?
Underwater plants are great at producing oxygen in the deeper parts of your pond. They also use up a lot of nutrients because they absorb through their leaves along with their roots.
Back to Top
Q: What is the difference between a hardy lily and a tropical lily?
Tropical lilies bloom 10 times more than hardy lilies, but go dormant in the winter time. But hardy lilies keep their foliage all year round.
Back to Top
Q: In the winter time my plants' leaves turn brown, what should I do?
Some plants are not hardy in your area. You must trim back all the decaying foliage, and sometimes remove the whole plant. Decaying plant mass just adds more nutrients in the pond.
Back to Top
Q: Can some aquatic plants live out of the pond?
There are many types of plants that are both aquatic and terrestrial. Some take a little time to get acclimated to the other setting. There are some vine plants that do great outside the pond, as long as the original root is still in the pond.
Back to Top
Q: What are these little bugs eating my plants?
They are aphids, the best way to get rid of them is to get a herbal aphid control spray (make sure it is safe for fish and aquatic gardens). Or you could always get a bunch of lady bugs, which eat them.
Back to Top
Q: Can I plant my aquatic plant in the gravel?
Most aquatic bog plants are be planted directly in the gravel, but you might want to build a planting pocket with extra gravel for the taller plants like cattail. Planting in the gravel helps a lot with the eco-system, but you might have a problem trying to contain the plants, without a pot constricting them, they sure grow fast.
Back to Top
Q: Should I just leave the aquatic plants in their cans?
No, most aquatic nurseries plug the holes in the bottom of the cans, this prevents the planting media from leaking out. This also creates an enclosed environment so that your plant is not really aiding to the eco-system at all.
Back to Top
Q: So what is the best way to plant aquatics?
Use an aquatic planter basket, usually they are plastic with holes through them, sort of like a laundry basket. Then rinse out the plants root mass and fill the planter basket with small gravel. Then bury the plant in the basket.
Back to Top
Q: How can I minimize the risk of introducing pests and diseases to my plants?
Potassium permanganate crystals dissolved at the rate of about 1 tablespoon per 2 gallons of water is an effective disinfectant. Soak plants in this solution for a couple of hours this will help prevent diseases. Also remove all pests before putting the plant in your pond. Also soak the leaves (not roots) in a vinegar Solution of about 10 mil per 10 liters of water.
Q: How many underwater plants should I have in my pond?
For small ponds you should have about 20 plants per square foot. For medium ponds use about 10 plants per square foot. And for large ponds use 5-6 per square foot.
Back to Top
|