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| My brother put in a pond in the backyard and a filter was never added and basically it's just a mosquito motel. It was lime green this spring until I added some straw and it cleared up instantly. I think a filter is out of the question. I'm not interested in running a line or even an extension cord all the way on the other side of the yard. Solar powered in a cloudy region is too expensive and impractical. I think a pond in general is a bad idea but I digress...
So I got the idea of adding fast growing aquatic plants to the pond and harvesting them for compost. Is this a do able solution? I'd rather make compost, the more the merrier. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| You could use some mosquito dunks to keep the motel occupants under control. |
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- Posted by pashta_2006 Z4 ADK NY (pashta@aol.com) on Wed, Aug 1, 12 at 19:10
| Yes you can use them for compost or you could plant a bog garden AND use the mosquito dunks holly suggested |
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- Posted by gardeninhabitant none (My Page) on Wed, Aug 1, 12 at 19:25
| "I got the idea of adding fast growing aquatic plants to the pond and harvesting them for compost. Is this a do able solution?" Yeah, it worked in my ponds and the water is crystal clear. How about egeria densa (aka Large-flowered Waterweed)? |
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| Hi Is there such a thing as "slow growing" aquatic plant?? I remove at least two bushels a week from my large pool lol I use the floating types as a mulch they weigh very little and no chance of resprouting They are loaded with nutrients pulled from the water and make great "compost" Wish i could sell all my excess, by now I could buy that summer home on the french riviera lol But "composting seems the best second solution?? lol gary |
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- Posted by williammorgan (My Page) on Thu, Aug 2, 12 at 13:43
| I've got some prime swamp land on the riviera to sell you Gary and all the escargot you can muster. I'm not a sailor, i'm a gardener and see my brother's swamp as a waste. Re Mosquito population they are pretty low. i had one buzz my ear last night and it was the 1st one in quite a while. I've got dragon flies and they must be eating well. Thanks for the suggestions regarding the aquatic plants. I wonder though if some larger plants couldn't be utilized though? There are many so called weeds living in poor soil around here. They grow nice thick robust stalks. I have to imagine there is something larger that would grow in the water. I have no interest in making this pond look like some thing of beauty for a Home & Garden's cover. I want production. Liken it to a hydroponic solution. |
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- Posted by gardengimp 9B Seminole Cnty FL (My Page) on Thu, Aug 2, 12 at 21:40
| What part of the country are you in? Around these parts taro, cattails, pickerel and if I sat and thought a bit I'm sure could think of more that grow like crazy mad and big. Make fine compost. And some of them are quite pretty and edible. You could do a search on your states land grant university for aquatic plants and get some ideas also. Toss a handful of gambusia in and you'll have a built in fertilizer factory and no end to the plants. ~dianne |
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- Posted by buyorsell888 Zone 8 Portland OR (My Page) on Fri, Aug 3, 12 at 15:14
| There are many aquatic and bog plants that you can grow and most are aggressive growers that would add to compost. Water gardens can be gorgeous. I'm a gardener too but would not have a garden without water features. Many aquatic plants also flower. Waterlilies are wonderful. Mosquito Dunks are non toxic to wildlife and pets and control mosquitoes in water sources. |
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| hi I've grown Waterchestnuts ,rice, roselle,cranberries.tapioca,taro. Depending on your climate there are dozens more. You can also use the water to irrigate a regular vegetable garden . Get water,fertilizer thrown in. the reason i mentioned marketing is that water plants are generally rather expensive .The hyacinth for example sells for 5 bucks each at local nuseries and I compost at least 15 a week . Tropical water lilies in my last transplant had 15 offsets and the cheapest I've seen them is 25/30 each. Amazon sword plants used in the aquarium trade .One has produced 30 offsets since march and they sell locally for 2/6 bucks each. have never understood why water plants are so expensive ?? gary |
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- Posted by buyorsell888 Zone 8 Portland OR (My Page) on Tue, Aug 7, 12 at 12:05
| They've jacked up the prices since watergardening became so popular....supply and demand. Demand goes up and so does the price. |
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