Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment What should I plant?

I know very little about alot of things. One being plants in ponds. My pond will be about 3/4 ac total. Around 11 foot at the deepest but most being between 2 and 6 foot deep. Some of the bank is pretty steep some is very gradual. I am just finishing up on a redig so its bare ground. Pond has always been very murky. It hasnt filled all the way yet. What plants and where can I get them from should I be using. I live in south east kansas. I dont want to have to replant every year. Any help I can get is great appreciated. I like the looks of lilly pads but also dont want them taking over. I'm not afraid of getting in there and ripping them out if anything gets carried away.

I can't say exactly what kinds of plants to buy for your area, but I can lend some advice...

Visit some ponds nearby and ID and research what is growing in them. Plants growing in BOW's near you will tell you what REALLY likes your area. You might even find some to transplant and save some money. Be careful with transplanting so you don't bring unwanted hitchhikers into the pond. This goes for purchased plants too. Some that I bought had duckweed in them.

I have stayed away from most submerged plants as it seems that almost all of them grow in waters that are 6 foot deep. My pond is pretty small and an evasive submerged plant would greatly reduce my available water surface.

I have focused on the emergents and marginals with good success.

Pickerel Weed
Thalia Dealbata
Arrowehead
Common Rush

...are a few that like my pond and should do well in your zone, but double check.

I am currently experimenting with American Pond Weed (a submerged plant), but my crawdads make it difficult (impossible really) to get established on the pond floor. I have them in hanging baskets off the dock...we'll see what next year brings, but my hopes are low until the craws are greatly reduced. APW seems to be favorite for pond/lake owners and it is likely to be the easiest to manually remove if it gets out of hand compared to other submerged types.

I will be trying some lilies next year in the hanging baskets, maybe. I really don't want those getting loose in the pond however. Nothing like rolling the dice? lol

My plants are almost all species that I got started. My pond is primarily a wildlife pond, but we have a floating dock for swimming. We have pretty nice fish but without a boat, the banks only allow fishing in select places. On the other hand, the results can be pretty good. A beaver has trimmed back the water lilies pretty good this year and we need to get it out of the pond! It even took out a couple bald cypress.

Thank you both for the replys. I know some in the area have hydrilla. But from what I have read on here is to stay away from that. RAH that looks like an awesome place to put in a little john boat and a cooler.

QA listed 3 that are common in your area, RS.. Arrowhead, Rush and Pickerel weed. I see a lot of Pickerel in your area and I also see loads of hardy lilies. The ole' Duck tator (arrowhead) is really hard to beat but Pickerel is right there with it. Sago pondweed or widgeon grass are 2 mighty fine macrophytes that really help with Fry survival.
RAH has some pickerel in the forefront of last pic. Nice looking aquatics btw, RAH!

That is what a pond should look like. Great job getting it established with beneficial vegetation. The good vegetation competes against nuisance algae.

FWIW IME all those mentioned are good choices. Hardstem bullrush and redtip eel grass are also good choices.

What is FWIW?

Sorry, FWIW is "For What its Worth"

A complete list of the forum acronyms can be found here..

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=92442#Post92442

"For what its worth" probably.
RAH, Thats one beautiful waterhole and fish you have there, Im with RStringer about spending some time on that with a little jonboat or even a small detachable floating dock with a little trolling motor,,, and perhaps a cold beverage. I can see myself spending a lot of time in that manner actually.

Found Wife In Water...IMHO.

I would hope she was skinny dipping if I found my wife in the water.