Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

I think it is called duck weed?

little green bits floating on the surface and some stringy stuff..

I keep netting it out but a month of so later in needs doing again..

can take a picture and post tomorrow if needed.

I thought there was not enough sunlight on the pond so hacked back some bushes but no help

Any help appreciated.

Simon

RB5320

Duckweed is a major problem to eradicate. Barley straw can help, as can plenty of water snails (if introducing water snails make sure they are native ones so that natural predators keep a balance and you dont end up with another problem!) Most aquatic centres will stock numerous barley-based products which you drop into the pond. Most of them work by producing a herbicide as they rot down which helps control the algae.
One cause of duckweed growth is that the pond is too rich in nutrients. Avoid using fertilisers or composts around the pond as the rainwater will carry them into the pond, increasing nitrates/phosphates which encourage the algae.
Is this a new pond? So long as you give pond a good start they will normally find a balance. If you ever need to top it up, use rain water not tap water. Plenty of oxygenating plants. About a third of the water surface should be covered with plants (but not duckweed ) and, as you have already done, cut back any overhanging shrubs etc (although in the case of duckweed, it is quite happy to be in direct sunlight unfortunately). Also check the pH as a high pH value will encourage algae. If too high, there are various natural (normally peat-based) products you can use.
So in other words - no easy solution I'm afraid

Steve

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

okay thanks...

it is not a new pond.. we have owned the house 5years and it was there when we moved in..

I'll look into some barley stuff and buy some new plants as there was a couple but they have died recently..

Many thanks

Simon

Spoon

Yep, as already said, barley straw works.

I have thrown a bale of barley straw in one of my 2 ponds before now.

David Lock

I think there are two quite separate things here - duckweed, the lime green floating things, and algae which is the stringy stuff (blanket weed). Barley Straw is used for algae control but I am not sure if it does anything for duckweed which is a real sod to get rid of permanently. I used to net it out with a fine mesh net and one trick to to spray the pond suface with a hose and trap the stuff in a corner of the pond for easy removal. Ideally you need a flat overflow so you can push the stuff over the edge. You need to try and get rid of most of it as it prevents light getting to plants. Giving more light to the pond will encourage algae growth! Any fish involved? Happy netting DL

angrynorth

Just go to your local scally hangout and tell them you've a back garden full of weed. They'll soon sort it

Spoon

I wouldn't have typed the fúcker if it didn't.

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

lol.

I netted the pond at the weekend but that was as far as I got.

Although I do have some barley straw to try.

I have about four fish.. only gold fish but prefer not to kill them in the process.