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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 109
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OP
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 109 |
After several failed attempts to grow plants (arrowhead) in the pond i finally think i realized the problem. Something is eating them?? last weekend we put one in a pot and set it down just on the banks edge. The next morning the plant had been clean cut at the base of the stem.
Question, what do you think is eating them? Crawfish? Turtles?
2nd question, best way to prevent this?
For now, we have put another plant in the pond with a mesh cage around it (prevent anything from eating) to determine if it grows or not. Thoughts??
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,794 Likes: 68
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,794 Likes: 68 |
Can you post photos? Sounds like muskrats if targeting your arrowhead.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344 Likes: 101 |
I envision a pot 6 inches or so tall sitting by the bank. That should eliminate most turtles and crawdads. That leaves mammals like beaver, muskrats and such. Do you have a game camera? That will tell the tale and then you can plan how to relocate the varmint.
Fish on!, Noel
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,952 Likes: 184 |
Cav, Might be a combination of critters, from deer to beavers......
Don't think we get muskrats down here tho....
Last edited by Pat Williamson; 06/21/17 10:56 AM.
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,864 Likes: 298 |
After several failed attempts to grow plants (arrowhead) in the pond i finally think i realized the problem. Something is eating them?? last weekend we put one in a pot and set it down just on the banks edge. The next morning the plant had been clean cut at the base of the stem.
Question, what do you think is eating them? Crawfish? Turtles?
2nd question, best way to prevent this?
For now, we have put another plant in the pond with a mesh cage around it (prevent anything from eating) to determine if it grows or not. Thoughts?? I've had similar issues with Duck Potato. Looks like something cut their leaves with a razor, really bizarre. Only happens above water, perhaps deer (we've got tons of them). Could be crawfish in your case. One reason I decided not to add more of the mudbugs just before planting pond weeds.
7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596 Likes: 28
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596 Likes: 28 |
Cav, You can have some sprigs of my sawgrass!!!! You know... You've seen the pictures. Ha!!
Dear Alcohol, We had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter, and a better dancer... I saw the video... We need to talk.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 109
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OP
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 109 |
Thanks for the quick, detailed responses!
Additional facts, our pond is 2 acres clear cut surroundings with no signs of beavers, muskrats so Im hesitant to think its one of those. I do have lots and lots of deer so i assume it could be one of them while getting a drink. I do have a game camera and might need to set on up to see.
I grow the arrowhead (duck potatoes ) from bulbs to mature plants, in a small swimming pool next to our house. These have been in the pool untouched and grow just fine. Then, for whatever reason when we put them in the pond they disappear and get eaten. Unfortunately, i do not have any pictures to share at this time..
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282 |
I use branches from honey locust around newly planted emergent plants. The thorns keep everything away and they rot and disappear in a couple years. Once established, most plants can take some herbivore damage. Not sure if you have any honey locust in your area, but other branches with large thorns should work. Just be careful!
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
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Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99 |
Most likely turtles snipping them off under water. I like the honey locust idea. We've used chicken wire around the plants to keep critters away, too. That works, but you'll want to remove the chicken wire at some point.
Teach a man to grow fish... He can teach to catch fish...
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,058 Likes: 7 |
I am betting on snails. Muskrat would dig up the bulbs and eat them as well. Snails are well known for eating plants off just above the ground level.
Cheers Don.
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