Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants weedshear-weed cutter - razor-sharp

Has anyone used this tool on Lilly pads? Does it work and Is it worth the money? Will this keep the Lilly pads under control? I don't really want to use chemicals to control. What about the advertised Lilly pad rake that allegedly cuts thru the root? I see advertisements but cannot find a video of someone actually using it.

I don't know about the lily pads down there, but the ones up here, when mature, have roots that are 3"-4" thick.

A Weed Razor used on them before any pads reach the surface and unfurl will slowly starve them out. But you have to be diligent about cutting them before they open up.

Then rake out the cut pieces to help reduce the nutrients in the pond, and having them not decompose in the pond will also help the water quality.

My experiences have been the same as esshup described. I understand the desire not to use chemicals, but selective aquatic plant control can be a bear if done manually. Chemicals like Rodeo and Navigate have been thoroughly tested, and work well if applied correctly. It does take a little longer to see results than with a contact herbicide, but the results seem to me to be more permanent.

I don't know what kind of lilly pads you have, but if they get seed heads like American Lotus does, I'd make sure the flowers are treated/removed before they have a chance to drop more seeds.

I would also remove all the cuttings whether you chemically treat or not. Decaying plant matter is not something you want in your pond.

Good luck, whatever method you use.

Before renovating my pond, I would manually pull up the root system. Now this was pre-pond boss and I thought all vegetation was the same . I now know they are spatterdock, which most call lily pads around here, but really are not the same. The roots were not that hard to pull up, and kept it held back pretty good. Of course, this all depends whether you want to get into the water, every pond is different . I can't imagine it being easy to "cut" the roots.

My weed razor works pretty good,
but is a lot of work if you have
a large area that needs attention.
My shoulder made me stop after
about 15 feet of shoreline.

I returned my weed razor. It would load up and not cut the weeds or Lilly pads. It would just yank them out and I thought the aluminum rake from Home Depot did a better job at yanking.

i wish i could send mine back!

There's a Weed Razor Pro that you can set the angle of the razors, which might make it easier to get dense stands of weeds cut.

DANG Zep, you lookin fine tossin that rake thing. I could watch ya for all 15 ft and then suggest using the other arm.

LOL now that's funny!!

RC

I know RC...
can't believe he is talking about my young wife like that!

Zep, what you mean "talkin about my young wife like that"? I was simply referring to what nice form she has, appears she has great follow through. Besides, I'm a b&w type guy. If a gals nice lookin I'll tell her so. Don't matter if they're 18 or 80, toothed or toothless.

LOL@ Bob-O.

Actually right now I am wifeless & fairly content.

I think I want a Border Collie more than a wife.

If it's sharp would you consider selling it?

I'll just give it to you Cecil, but I'm not that crazy
about trying to pack and ship such an oddity.

Are you coming to the Pond Boss Conference?

If you are driving down I can hand it to you then.

It would be funny trying to walk thru the
TSA check-point at the airport with it!

Mark, if he isn't coming down, I'm driving down for the conference and will be spending 3-4 weeks in Texas. Cecil is only an hour from me and I can bring it back for him.

He SHOULD come down for the conference!!!

sounds good esshup

I wish i could come down. Other priorities with every penny going to a building with five or six large tanks and a few smaller ones run by airlifts. I'm doing it DIY but it's amazing how things still can add up.

Yeah!

Scott, remind me to take a picture of your car when you head back to Indiana next February. A 6' razor sharp weapon, and a huge bucket of toxic Hydrothol duck taped to your roof will be a picture to remember.

Al, I'm bringing so much stuff that I'll be driving a truck and will be pulling a trailer with a box on it to keep everything out of the weather. Heck, the last time I was down there there was 1/2" of ice coating everything even before I left Arkansas! It finally got better the closer I got to Dallas, but only because they had time to get the roads prepped.

No way would everything fit in the car, and there's a bit of wind drag with the box on the trailer. Also, I don't know exactly what some of the roads will be like (I'm pretty sure I'll be on some non-paved surfaces) so the 4wd might come in handy. (there's still room for the chipper on the trailer......)