Short answer: cutting the catkins will have little to no effect. The rhizomes spreading as the very nice photo shows is by far the largest form of spread.
Even if you cut all the catkins off, where is the nearest stand you are not doing this? General guidelines state there should be around 5% of shoreline for catails in your body of water. I have seen 100%. That is not good. I like 3% or less.
And if you get hungry, you can eat those catkins and the green shoots.
As far as remedies to prevent rhizome spread, I wish you luck.
Last edited by The Pond Frog; 01/29/10 03:22 PM.
