Forums36
Topics41,081
Posts559,334
Members18,576
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
11 members (Augie, Chadsnider, Bigtrh24, RossC, catscratch, Ron crismon, gehajake, RAH, Theo Gallus, rjackson, Dave Davidson1),
604
guests, and
473
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 8
Fingerling
|
OP
Fingerling
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 8 |
I've had a new plant pop up in my pond within the last two to three weeks. It is distributed in seemingly random locations around the edges of the pond. The first bloom that I noticed started in water approximately 2 feet deep and has now grown to the top of the water. I've searched the forum to try and identify it myself but I'm unsure about a match. I want to be sure that I have the correct ID before I do something that I regret later. Three questions: What is it and is it a problem plant?; and, Should I try to physically remove the plants? It's not all that widespread at the moment but I've noticed that it breaks apart easily and floats so I don't what to do anything that could spread it without more info, particularly if it is a problem plant. Thanks in advance for any help.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,902
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,902 |
I'm not good at submerged plant ID, but if it has moved in & grown as fast as you say, imo that's telling you something. It's invasive. It looks similar to what I have ie: Widgeon Grass.
Pond Boss Subscriber & Books Owner
If you can read this ... thank a teacher. Since it's in english ... thank our military! Ric
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
Can you remove it completely from the water and take a photo of it on a light colored background?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 8
Fingerling
|
OP
Fingerling
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 8 |
Doesn't photograph well out of water as it collapses upon itself. Hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 41
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 41 |
Looks very similar to what I had in my pond this summer. Either the widgeon grass mentioned or sago pondweed I believe. I had it around nearly 75% of my 1/2 acre pond and spread 40 lb of Hydrothol and within 1 week it was pretty well gone. It will spread fairly quickly. I tried pulling it out but it just seemed to make it spread faster. I know you can buy a weed cutter to trim it off, but I decided to kill it. We'll see if it comes back next year. Guess you could selectively spread the Hydrothol and try to keep some areas if you don't want to rid your whole pond. But it will spread on you so keep an eye on it!!
Last edited by Brian S.; 08/31/09 08:34 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
I am think it is a species of algae similar to Chara(it may just be Chara) and not a vascular plant but I could be wrong. I would PM PB forum member Bill Cody and get his advice on what it is. He is very knowledgeable in this area and can tell you whether it's sage, widgeon or an algae... I wish I could give you a confident answer but not being able to see it in person is stumping me!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
|
Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
VA,
Is it crunchy when you smash it and smell like some kind of bad garlic / old musty smell? It looks alot like what I have which is Chara or Muskgrass as they call it. Mine did the same thing all of a sudden BOOM! There is was all over the place. No for sure but I would agree with CJ that it could be Chara.
RC51
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
|
Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
VA,
I also read this on the plant ID site just below your post.
Muskgrass is named for its strong garlic-y odor. Once identified by smell, it will be remembered. This macro-alga has no true "leaves", only branches and branchlets. Muskgrass is relatively rough to the touch. During times of reproduction, dark, ball-like sporangia appear seed-like along the branchlets.
Notice the last couple of lines where it talks about dark ball like seeds. That sounds and looks just like your first picture.
RC51
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 66
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 66 |
The plant in the pictures is bladderwort. The little black specs you see in the pic are actually little ballders that trap and digest very tiny organisms
You can't judge a fish by looking at the pond--Bo Diddley
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,541 Likes: 282
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
|
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,541 Likes: 282 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6
Ambassador Lunker
|
Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318 Likes: 6 |
It may very well be that indeed. The more I look at the picture of it in his hand it looks to thin and hairy looking to be chara.
RC51
The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,505 Likes: 3
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,505 Likes: 3 |
It's funny, but the picture in VA Pond Owner's second post looks totally different from the two pics in his first post. The second post's pic does, indeed, look a lot like the chara I've been pulling from my small pond, while the first two pics are nothing I've seen before (still a total newbie here!). Interesting, as always, to learn from the experts here!
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|