Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Water Hyacinth and cabbage

I was givin a couple plants from relatives to throw in the pond, water hyacinth and cabbage, I was told that they wouldn't survive the winter and since it is late in the year I was wondering about throwing them in the pond, actually I was thinking of throwing them on my island, it stays fairly wet in the center and thought it might look cool out there, any warnings or thoughts before I throw about 6 plants out there?

Trialsguy,
I don't know about the cabbage but I have a friend that gives me several hundred extra water hyacinths every year. I put them in an area around trees to keep them floating(they MUST float). and we get far too cold in the winter for them to survive and if they do get too thick they are easily removed. They are beautiful when flowering and are a great filter and fish habitat.



I put these in on 7/7 and they are spreading slowly and look much nicer now. If you're interested I will post another pic from this weekends trip.

Thanks for the reply, I am just a little nervous about putting plants in the pond that might take over. I just noticed that I reported the other as water cabbage but I believe it is called water lettuce. I only have a few plants and it one of those things that if the releative comes over for a get together I want to make sure and have them somewhere so that they can see them. I happend to be very fond of these folks.

TG,

Read at least the first small paragraph:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/WQ/plants/weeds/hyacinth.html

After what I have seen, the very name gives me chills.

I have used the Hyacinth in my pond for the entire time I have had the pond. By placing one or two plants in during the spring time I have many (about 150) by fall. They all Die off and I just pull them out of the pond. When they are in there they are very very good for the pond. They take up neutirents that might cause FA to form. They provide shelter to smaller fish and shade for all. They are typically free floating and as such do not root down and cause problems.

In effect I would liken them to Talapia. They add benefits to the pond and both help control FA and other plant matter. They both die off in colder climates. They add bio diversity and fun to the pond.

I say as long as your climate has some ice forming or freezing conditions, you are good to go as long as you don't mind removing the dead plants each year (not hard to do at all - takes about 15 minutes in my pond) They are a great addition to the pond and to the eco system.


Pic of them around the edge of the pond:


Pic of the flowers:

I put about 50 water hyacinth in this spring as an annual. They have probably tripled or quadrupled in mass but are not a problem. The wind blows them to the edge and I have to toss them back in the water as it recedes. The blooms are pretty. I was thinking about putting in water lettuce but from what I read it needs shade.

These are really beautiful and tempting - but be careful. I believe that they are illegal in some states because of how they clog waterways and take over. Someone threw a couple into a small city lake in Dallas a few years ago and they covered about 40% of the lake by summers end.

They are not Illegal in NY and most other northern states due to the die off that happens when it gets even close to freezing temperatures. They readily sell them in most water garden stores for about $1.50 per plant.

They do not pose a risk to waterways up norh due to the frost and cold temperatures.