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I read on here that watercress (with roots) can be used in a pond to help to help keep the water clear and control blanket weed.
I now have said watercress (with roots) and was wondering how to put in the pond. Do I plant it in a pot with soil or just gravel or just let it float about!
Ready and waiting for any advice!
Rachel
It's not always easy to hug a hedgehog.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't.
Hi Rachel
I've had a little look on Google and I think you can just chuck it in the pond and it roots itself.
See here for some advice
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/vegging-out/watercress-cuttings_13985.html
Pipit x
Thanks Pipit
I think I shall put it in a pot with gravel just so it looks a bit tidier!
Does anyone know if it actually works?
I shall see myself soon enough I suppose!!
Off to do that now.
Yes, Alan has a point.
I read that it isn't a good idea to eat pond watercress (raw anyway) but it does clear blanket weed.
Cheers
Pipit
I don't have running water so will just wait and see!
Yes I put water cress in my pond last year. Bought a bag from Sainsburys, and just chucked a few stems in. Within days it had rooted itself around the edges..and its coming again this year. Couldn't be simpler.
Mine has been in about 2 weeks and seems to be doing well.
Watercress still doing well,had to cut it back!
I have planted it up in just gravel in a perforated pond pot.
I plant up all my other plants in aquatic soil in a hessian lined pot as I have always done.
Since blanket weed thrives on nutrients from soil etc I am now wondering if I could plant up everything in gravel with no soil?
Would there be enough nutrients in the water from the goldfish?
When I clean out the pond there is always a lot of sludge at the bottom and I think a lot of this is soil from the baskets.
Has anyone tried this?
I may have a go when I clean and see to the pond in the autumn just to see what happens!
Think it might have been me along with others that suggested this as a solution. Remember seeing it on an organicy based gardeny prog.
Delighted that its done so well that you are cutting it back already!! A bit early for blanket weed yet so here's hoping that you don't get any!!
My kids taddies are doing really well, this weather has seen them grew at a rate of knotes. Just wish that I had a pond to keep them all happily in, instead just a troughy bucket thing, it seems to be working fine!!
'In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks' John Muir.
Excuse wobbily dyslexic spelling!
I already have blanket weed,so it is never too early!!
I have noticed that it is not quite as bad as usual but will have to wait for the summer to kick in before I can tell if it is going to be a sucess or not.
I also have barley straw logs in the pond.
Yes, it does clear blanketweed very efficiently. Unfortunately it also clears all your oxygenators and absolutely takes over the pond. Be prepared to remove it when you notice everything else disappearing!