Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Balance of plants in the environment submerged plants for newish pond

Looking for suggestions on submerged plants for new pond. Eel grass has failed to persist in several other pond on my place after planting and initial establishment, so I am not going to try that again. The pond is 1/2 acre with fairly steep banks, and currently has FHM and LCS in it, with plans to add blue catfish last after adding another intermediate forage fish (likely black crappie). Currently, I have a lotus started and added a couple pickerel weed and duck potato plants with plans to add a couple spike rush. Also as background, we have curly leaf pondweed in another pond which, so far, has not become a problem after a few years (maybe due to papershell crayfish?). Would like to get more civilized submergent plants established if possible to help keep undesirables from being the only thing present (expect invasion of curly leaf pondweed at some point). Suggestions appreciated, especially if useful to wildlife.

MO Dept of Conservation suggests wild celery and water star grass for submerged plants in a pond: https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/downloads/page/aquaticplantsinpond.pdf

I have transplanted some spikerush, arrowhead, and burhead on my shoreline with minimal success. I suspect two issues - mostly poor clay bank, and deer yanking them out.

Where did you find the eel grass? I would like to try some.

Thank you. Wild celery and eel grass are the same thing (Vallisneria sp.). I need to investigate star grass. I have had good luck with various species of spikerush, arrowhead (broadleaf arrowhead is also called duck potato), and with giant bureed. I put thorny honey locust branches over and around plants that deer pick on until they establish. These branches rot away over time so require no cleanup.

Anybody have a quality source for water stargrass?

Anybody know a quality source for water stargrass? Heteranthera dubia

bumped up

Anybody know a quality source for water stargrass? Heteranthera dubia

double bump

I am in the same boat, I planted some native lily pads in rubber made totes with garden soil that seem to be doing pretty good, and im gonna try grow some spiral Vallisneria it doesnt grow as tall. I wass going to plant it at first in a rubber made tote and as it grows out add the grow out pieces into the pond

I think my environmental or water chemistry is not favorable to persistence of eel grass which is why I am now looking for water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) which is locally native, but I cannot find a source. Nice fat fish!

RAH - where did you get the eel grass?

I ordered some online from aquarium suppliers (two different ones but I cannot remember who), but a generous Pond Boss member sent me the plants that persisted the longest (almost 2 years). They too disappeared.

RAH, Did you get any submerged veggies going? I have started my quest for adding some to my pond. I will be looking in to the American Pondweed as well and the Water Star Grass, but I have not researched enough to make any decisions yet. My pond seems to have lower DO levels, or at least recent testing indicates so. I hope to add some plants to assist with DO production.

Are the plants that you mentioned submerged or emergent? I have lots of emergent plants but have only tried ell grass as a submerged plant.

The Water Star Grass is listed as a submerged plant per the Mo Conservation link that Redonthehead posted. I assume the American Pondweed is also.

If you find a supplier for water star grass, please let me know.

I'd be happy to share some APW with you.

Pm Sent Augie...Thanks!