Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment Help Germinating Pickerel Weed Seed

What is the preferred method to germinate Pontederia Cordata seeds?

esshup, here's a link to propagating the seeds, but wouldn't it be easier to just collect plants, I did that 2 years ago and every plant took.
http://inscribe.iupress.org/doi/abs/10.2979/NPJ.2009.10.1.4

AP:

I saw that in my search, but can't accrss the PDF. I found an article from Florida that germinated them in coarse building sand and Hyponex Potting Soil with the soil level 1" above the water level. One gallon pots had 25 seeds per pot. They fertilized with 18-6-12 osmocote and germination took from 3-12 weeks. What I couldn't find is what temp they were germinated at.

I haven't been able to find any Pickerel Week plants from waters that aren't also contaminated with Eurasian Water Milfoil. So, I ordered an ounce of seed from Spencer Nursery along with the Emergent Seed Mix. If I could find some from an area that wasn't contaminated with Eurasian Water Milfoil I'd jump on them in a heartbeat.

esshup the Lowes garden section have water plants and they did have pickerel weed, maybe they have them in your area, about $6.00 each.

AP:

Good idea. There is a Lowes about 12 miles away. I looked there earlier this Spring for pond liner/pond building supplies, but didn't see any plants, but then again it was early. I'll be in that area later today and I'll make a point to swing by the garden section. Thanks!

I through fresh seeds from a plant in my pond into one of my wetlands and have pants all over the place in the wetland.

I'd like to get some pickerel plant or seed, any suggestion where I could get some. Btw how deep is too deep? My bog is 30" or so... Sorry for all the dumb questions, does pickerel need a substrate, or can it float and grow? I have a membrane lined pond. I just ripped all the cattails out of my upper pond and think pickerel weed might be a good substitute. Thanks in advance..

Hi Kreg:
I got my pickerel weed at Lowe's and a garden shop that had some water plants. Try JF New Co. for a catalog. I planted mine (in a lake, sand) by cutting the bottom of the pot out,digging a hole in an area where the water is 5" to 14" deep, depending on the rain and putting 3" x 3" rocks on top of the pot. I get wave action there too, the plant took off. So I would say, plant near the edge and let it grow to the depth it likes, it is an emergent plant. Exciting news is that my water lily took off, and I got my first flower opening today: it is Pink! My favorite, I thought it would be red or yellow. I have zebra rush growing next to it, looks really cool. I have varigated sweet flag next to the pickerel weed, looks sweet.

Thanks 2catmom, sounds like the pickerel will like the edge of my lower pond better than my upper pond. I still want some....

I second the buying of plants idea. I bought seeds from Spencers here: Spencers .

Pickerel weed seeds have a poor germination %. I bought 4 oz of seeds and only had 5 plants germinate. Unfortunately, my Lowes doesn't carry water garden plants. JF New has plants.