Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,900
Posts557,095
Members18,452
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,415
ewest 21,475
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
11 members (Sunil, jpsdad, azteca, esshup, BillyE, H20fwler, FishinRod, Augie, PRCS, LeighAnn, bstone261), 726 guests, and 281 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
OP Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
I have ordered a few Water Hyacinths for this season to try out and noticed another floating type of plant that is said to be the next best alternative should the Hyacinths (and water lettuce) be illegal in your region. I hope to take up some nutrients with these floating plants contained in floating hoops of some sort.

I ordered a couple of them, but wanted to ask the group if their was any experiences with this plant to be shared before I "set them free" in the pond? There's not much out there on the web other than they do not survive the winters this far north and appear to resemble the Hyacinths with respect to general mannerisms.

Aeschynomene fluitans (Botswana Wonder or Large Leaf Sensitive Plant)...


Attached Images
Aeschynomene-fluitans.jpg

Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
QA,

I've had it growing in a big patch on the South side of my pond the last 3 years. It really has never gone into the water that far. It may be because, this far north, it dies out each year and comes back from seed again in the spring. I suspect the plants would get larger and more aggressive if they did not die every year. It is different than small leaf sensitive plant in that the leaves don't instantly close up when you touch it.

Hope that helps,

Bill D.

Last edited by Bill D.; 05/07/19 10:08 AM. Reason: clarification

[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
OP Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
So Bill, It actually comes back from the soils that far north in Illinois???

I may have misunderstood my web research. Hmmm?


Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
As far as I can tell, it re-seeds itself. It behaves like an annual here. Maybe in warmer climates it's a perennial? I like it around the pond. Has tons of yellow flowers and crowds out most everything else.


[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
OP Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Bill, You stated that it grows from the un-submerged banks (if I may paraphrase) and I believe that the Aeschynomene fluitans actually is a floating plant, not one that grows from the soil.

There are several plants in the Aeschynomene genus that look very similar. I even have some that look like it growing in some of my meadows far from water. I am thinking that we are talking about different plants that look and act very much the same (with the exception of where the roots tend to reside).

According to some of my web reading, the Aeschynomene fluitans comes from places like Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia (all south Africa).

Don't get me wrong, I don't know diddly about this plant just what little I have found on the web and truly appreciate any and all conversation on the subject. I am going to do some more digging for web info on these guys and see if I can gain that comfort level of putting them in the pond.


Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
QA,

I'm not a plant expert either! smile I suspect you're right that it is probably a different plant that just looks similar. If mine comes back again this year, I'll try to remember to post a pic.


[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Offline
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
QA...have you found out anything more on this plant? I'm still looking for something to build a floating island out of.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
OP Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
This plant might be a decent floating island plant if they had some substrate to live in, but, I'm afraid, my efforts in trying this plant have failed. I bought the Botswana Wonder (Aeschynomene Fluitans) from a web vendor who's description merely consisted of this...

"Our Favorite Floating Pond Plant Easy to grow, Easy to Maintain!".

Well, I bought 4 of them and they had a stem and a root system as opposed to the floating bulbs of the hyacinth with hanging hair-like roots. I planted them in the shallows in some good soils and they did not make it. They seemed to be flourishing, but between the fluctuating water levels this spring and, maybe, something with a taste for them...they are no-more.

Everything I read called them a "floating plant", but I'm not convinced that they do not need some sort of anchor. Maybe they would float after they get some size to them, but the little pieces I received would not have been contained in a floating corral.

I may try again next year, but I think I should try to grow them out in temporary containers until they mature more. If something did not eat them, they may have merely floated out of their soil during one of the many heavy rain events and wondered off.


Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Offline
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
It sure would be nice to find something that wouldn't grow too aggressively or be illegal to use. Everything I've found is one or both. I've already resolved myself to 24/7 aeration next fall/winter
/spring to try to knock down my nutrient load.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
OP Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Hey Mike, Good news, the Botswana has reappeared in one spot. It must have died back when the water came up and then regrew a few inches away from it's original planted location. At any rate, it's growing, but not too fast. We'll see how it does.




Attached Images
Botswana Wonder.jpg

Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Offline
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
I'm glad it came back for you Noel. I just ordered 5 hybrid lilies. Hope to have them by the weekend. Everything else is illegal here, but I may have to go commando if these dont help.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
C
Offline
C
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
Mike good luck with the lilies, I have a couple and like them and want to add more as I can. They can be a bit pricey.
Dave


Thanks
Dave
1 acre pond.
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
OP Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Well, the Botswana is still living in my pond, but with minimal growth. Maybe I'm doing it wrong...here's it's current state (2-3 weeks after the previous posted photo...


Attached Images
Botswana.jpg

Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
OP Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
A month later and the Botswana has grown a little. It is about 20 inches long. A pretty plant, but not was I was hoping for as far as seasonal growth and nutrient consumption. No flowers as of yet...



Augie, If you look to the right of the base of the Botswana, you'll see one of your mystery plants that you gave me. It's not doing much. I hope yours are growing.

Attached Images
Botswana.jpg

Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 55
F
Offline
F
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 55
How are your hyacinth plants doing? How much are you having to cull them these days?


I SUBSCRIBE!
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
OP Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
FLX, I just updated WH thread here...

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=509760&#Post509760

I am removing, on average, about one 5 gallon bucket a day.


Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 273
A
Online Content
A
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 273
The mystery plants are growing and multiplying in my pond.

Still no sign of flowers on any of them.

The money wort you gifted me is starting to look happy. It looked pretty sad for the first week but they are starting to put out some new growth now.

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 5
R
Fingerling
Offline
Fingerling
R
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 5
Originally Posted By: Bill D.
QA,

I've had it growing in a big patch on the South side of my pond the last 3 years. It really has never gone into the water that far. It may be because, this far north, it dies out each year and comes back from seed again in the spring. I suspect the plants would get larger and more aggressive if they did not die every year. It is different than small leaf sensitive plant in that the leaves don't instantly close up when you touch it.

Hope that helps,

Bill D.


I bet what you are seeing on the bank is Partridge Pea, a common native plant, at least in MO.


[Linked Image]
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Originally Posted By: Bill D.
QA,

I'm not a plant expert either! smile I suspect you're right that it is probably a different plant that just looks similar. If mine comes back again this year, I'll try to remember to post a pic.


Here's a pic of the marginal I have. Usually, a lot more flowers than this but it is starting the process of going to seed. You can see the immature seed pods (resemble small pea pods) hanging everywhere.




Attached Images
Plant090219.jpg
Last edited by Bill D.; 09/03/19 12:40 PM.

[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 5
R
Fingerling
Offline
Fingerling
R
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 5
yeah that's Partridge Pea, Bill.


[Linked Image]
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 281
R
RAH Offline
Lunker
Offline
Lunker
R
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 281
More of a prairie plant than a marginal...

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Thanks for the ID guys. I like having it. We mow every where except for a couple of feet from the pond. That's probably why I only see it on the shore.


[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
OP Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Just updating the progress (if you want to call it that) of the one Botswana the lived in my pond this season. It did not go crazy by any means and I don't expect it to live through the winter, but here are a couple photos. All in all, I have enjoyed having it...it just didn't make much of a show. I doubt I do them again.





At least the crawdads did not eat it!

Attached Images
Botswana far.jpg Botswana close.jpg
Last edited by Quarter Acre; 09/28/19 02:13 PM.

Fish on!,
Noel

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by jpsdad - 03/28/24 04:51 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/28/24 04:48 PM
Fungus infection on fish
by BillyE - 03/28/24 04:35 PM
Yellow Perch Spawn 2024
by H20fwler - 03/28/24 04:29 PM
Alum vs Bentonite/Lathanum for Phosphorus Removal?
by FishinRod - 03/28/24 04:23 PM
Working on a .5acre disaster, I mean pond.
by PRCS - 03/28/24 04:13 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by LANGSTER - 03/28/24 03:49 PM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by ewest - 03/28/24 03:37 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by esshup - 03/28/24 10:39 AM
Brooder Shiners and Fry, What to do??
by Freg - 03/28/24 09:42 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by Justin W - 03/28/24 08:19 AM
Reducing fish biomass
by FishinRod - 03/28/24 08:18 AM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5