Recent Questions
     Pond Plants

Q. Dear Pond Doctor,

I have a natural pond fed by seven under ground streams.  I have
installed a simple fountain purchased at a local Home Depot store.  Now after three years, I have unwanted plants growing in the water.  What can I do to get rid of them?

A. Hey Steve!

If you've ever left a pile of topsoil undisturbed for several weeks, you
probably noticed how quickly the weeds germinate and move in. The same goes for aquatic plants. They, like all living things, like competition. We once pulled a two year old native species water lily out of a backyard pond that weighed over 900lbs!

Depending on the size of your pond, you may want to manually remove them or chemically remove them. To discuss the later, call me, as local regulations may prevent or restrict this control approach.

Once the 'weeds' are gone, replace them with cultivated, non-invasive varieties. If you are close to the Ottawa area we can help you with this one, otherwise we would have to refer you on to another aquatic plant nursery.

In any pond, death and waste accumulates and creates ammonia, this ammonia is converted into nitrite by bacteria known as Nitrosomona. Since nitrite is toxic to plants and fish, Mother Nature converts nitrite into nitrate through nitrobacter bacteria. The nitrate is then used by plants (and algae) to grow. No plants in your pond - algae goes bananas. This is called the nitrification cycle. It is a highly complex system that must be allowed to run effectively in your pond otherwise Mother Nature will kick your butt. Your pond will be swampy, green and problematic.

Adding ornamental plants not only adds beauty to the water garden, but also helps draw out the nitrates at the end of the cycle, keeping the water clear and clean. They are, in effect, Mother Nature's filters. You can help the whole process by oxygenating the water with a bottom dual-membrane disc aerator. This encourages the nitrification cycle in the same way blowing on a campfire makes it burn hotter. The result is a cleaner, healthier pond, not to mention very happy fish.

If you need anything further give us a call.

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