I have a two level water garden containing about 3000 gal total that was built about 6 years ago. In the first three years, we had water hyacinths floating in the biofalls filter box as well as in the main parts of the pond. In those years, the hyacinths grew like weeds! They had leaves 8-12" high and 3-4" across. They bloomed beautifully. More than once in a summer, I would remove an armload of them to the compost pile simply because the were over-crowded. For the last three years, I can't get them to grow at all! I purchase a few plants after the frost is gone in the Spring, put them in various spots around the pond, and they simply sit there and slowly die - or perhaps vegitate with hardly any change in size and definitely no blooms. Obviously something has changed. Has anyone any idea what could have had such a dramatic effect on my ability to get these lovely plants to thrive? Other species, e.g. lotus, hardy lilies, pickerel weed, cattails, iris, etc. are doing just fine.
Water hyacinth not thriving
Have you changed out the water in the pond?
I haven't changed the water. The water comes from a deep well. I recently checked the pH of the pond water and was surprised to find it up around 8 to 8.5! Don't know what that's all about. Could such a high pH affect the hyacinths without harming the other plants?
I doubt it's the Ph....are there fish? Do you add hydrogen peroxide?
reno, I have the same problem. what is HP for and when and how much do you add?
Mine is the 2x4x6 horse trough with 360 gal. Also, have to top off everyday because of evaporation. Add one chlor tablet every other day.....need more experienced advice.
Thank you.
LouC
Some people use hp for their algae, I find those same people generally also have a hard time with hyacinths. I find new ponds/ water gardens have a hard time with water hyacinths as well. That's just what I've seen (and experienced :)
Christy, I know yours is new so you may find you have better luck with hyacinths next year, whatever you do, don't change out your water.
thank you, reno. Am I using too much dechlorinator? I'm so paranoid about the three little koi. They are now about 3", 1" when I got them. Lost 2 out of 5. How absurd but if it would not be detrimental to them, I would pet them. How silly......
You may want to talk to your friend with the big pond. That sounds like an awful lot of tabs to me. I actually use the aquasafe liquid you can get at wal-mart. It comes in a bright yellow bottle and will also take care of stuff other than chlorine that might be in your water. If you are only adding a few inches of water you may not need to the tabs. I have topped off my eight foot pond straight from the hose (if it was only down a few inches) and never had any of my fish show any distress at all. And please do remember not to change out the water if you can help it. Leave the water in over the winter and start with the same water next spring and hopefully it will have "cycled" enough not to give you such grief next yr. BTW, just so you know you are doing fine with your pond. Remember that life is a learning process and you are bound to hit a few bumps along the way. Try not to stress about it too much and ENJOY that lovely pond of yours. :^)
You guys are the greatest. My neighbor with the big pond just sort of throws up his hands and says" I dona know".
As an aside, they are on vacation this week and have a house sitter and other "safe guards"..last night when we were on our deck I heard a sound that is not the usual. We have a gate between (which I need to journal) and so I went to see what it was. Well, the pond didn't seem low on water but the waterfall and the catch below were dry and the very expensive pump was getting only air. I quickly turned on the water hose and let it run until everything was overflowing again. What a tragedy for their beautiful area had we not just happened to be there last night. I will be more careful to watch in the future. Not tooting my own horn.....just thankful that I happened to be at the right place at the right time.
I don't treat for algae. I don't use hydrogen peroxide. And, contrary to one of the comments about new ponds, my hyacinths did very well when the pond was new. I'm totally mystified as to what is inhibiting/killing these plants but none other.
I've never used the tabs but I think I would appreciate using something with a more measurable dose, I had always used a liquid. Lucky for your friends you caught that!
Dave, I can't imagine what is causing your problems with hyacinths, hopefully someone else will pop up with some suggestions :(
LouC... you did add some de-chlor to his pond when you were re-filling with hose, right? I'm sure you did, just wanted to remind you just in case. You're a good neighbor!
Actually, I called them on the cell and he gave me directions. His pond is about 2200 gallons and the 25 or so that it took to engage the waterfall was minimal in ratio. Thank you for reminding me because everything does not come automatically. I still have to think through the steps.
Could be the Koi? Are they in the same area with the WH?
Koi will devastate water hyacinth, but 3 inchers? Kinda small to do a whole lot of damage.
LouC said they were 1" when they got them. You would need a magnifying glass to see the barbels when they are that small to make sure they are koi! In these parts 4" is about the minimum size sold. They easily double in size , plus some, in the first year. I'm six years into my big (to me) koi pond and I now have some close to 24" . Most are 15" to 18" . Water hyacinth dont stand a chance. I still have the first koi that went into the pond. He's a bruiser.
Snap, my neighbors have had koi for about 12 years. This year they built "The San Antonio Riverwalk in their yard". They had koi and bought more...large ones and got a bonus. Some of the new ones were pregnant and they have hundreds of fry. They didn't have the babies when I got anxious and bought at Wallyworld.....a place I scrupulously avoid. I'm not good a estimating size so maybe they were 2". Two are gold and one is like a calico cat. They were labeled koi but don't trust Wally. One of them is really "fat". Maybe they are goldfish and can't think of the other name.....
Went MIL yesterday (75 miles away) stumbled onto some people that raise koi in their stock pond. Sell them $5 each. I'm going to wait a while longer until I get this pond thing down a little better. Besides it is too small to support very much of a fish.
LouC - The fish load you can support depends on the gallons and the filter capacity and how well oxygenated the water is. If one level is at least 1000 gals with good flow and the koi have vertical swimming room (depth) then you should be OK for a couple. If the fish you have, have barbels (whiskers) then you definitely have koi. I don't do Wallyworld so I can't speak one way or the other as to the veracity of what they stock. Did you save your receipt? LOL
I got into koi by accident. I built a 330 gal goldfish pond with an upper pool and two waterfalls. Sweet little thing. Love it more every year. The first year, for Mother's day, daughter bought me a small, inexpensive koi. She didn't know a goldfish from a koi from a trout. Well, I didn't want to disappoint her by taking it back. So into the small pond he went. And he grew and he grew and he grew. The whole family became enthralled with this fish. By September it was obvious this fish would soon not be able turn aorund in the water if it kept growing at that rate. So we did what any responsible fish lover would do. We dug an enormous (to us but not by many ponders on the forum) hole in the ground, lined it with rubber, added a bunch of skimmer, filter and pump equipment and plants and rocks and, well you get the picture. In late September "Festus" went into his new home and I became a koi keeper. Festus and friends are now in their sixth year. If we should lose that fish there will be a wake, a casket, a service and proper burial. Your 3 inchers have a huge capacity to grow, to tug at your wallet and in return give you endless hours of enjoyment.
ohohohoho....Festus.....I love it. I have Cat...for the calico.....goldie hawn and betty grable.
Still haven't gotten the hang of hyperlink.....go to Texas, 2x4x6 horse trough if you are even remotely interested in the whole sheebang. I think that is where my neighbor, Gregg 1101 posted pictures of his setup. Are pictures of your pond somewhere?
Lou
would it be some kinda of bug maybe slugs/snails? but koi do eat WH but them being that small i wouldnt think would hurt them but im no expert either lol