Floating Plants for Florida

[Lynne22]

I was wondering if anyone can recommend something to float in my pond, but I am aware that I cannot have WH or water lettuce. I am thinking about fairy moss, but I have yet to see a good photo of it, or one in which I can see the scale of it. Does anyone have it, and if so, what do you think of it? I'm not even considering duckweed, because I think it will spread way more than I want, and have time to keep thinned out. Any other suggestions for floaters in Florida?

Thanks.

[miguynmkoi]

Azolla, duckweed, azolla all are great floaters in my ponds.  My koi eat all of it, so clean that I have to grow them in small barrels so they get a treat everyday.

Duckweed is more difficult to grow in my barrels as the other floaters takeover.  But it is the first to start growing after winter.  Another koi fav.

[greenthumbnails]

I've tried both anacharis (potted) and hornwort (free floating) in my pond in florida.  I prefer the hornwort as it does not put out roots and try to grow into lily pots the way anacharis does.  I was unloading a bunch of it earlier in the year, so do not have any extra left or I'd send you some...maybe next year if I get a good "crop" like after last winter.  I've had it for a couple years now and for some reason it really grew last year. 

[Lynne22]

Thanks to both of you. I am going to look into the Azolla for sure. Hornwort I can get here. I love parrots feather as well, but I have never had much luck with it lasting long....

[matherfish]

If you do not have enough fish in your pond to keep the azolla from spreading, it will take over and cover the pond. Here is a pic of a tub with azolla. This mass is made up of thousands of tiny little plants that are no bigger than 1/2 inch across.

[PondmaninAL]

Frank (matherfish) is right about Azolla. It will cover the entire surface, hence it's other name, Mosquito Fern.Another floater that you may want to consider is Frogsbit. It will cover the surface but much slower than Azolla. It is related to Water Hyacinths but is native to Florida and other Southern states. There are two varieties, American and European. The American is larger and I have it in my pond.

[jclements]

Mosaic plant is great!

[Lynne22]

Oh, I like that Pondman....I will definitely get some of that...

I will also look up mosaic plant...

[jclements]

Here is a photo of a start in my pond as well as a larger plant I saw at Longwood Gardens last summer.

http://www.americanponders.com/forum/index.php?topic=13138.msg132047#msg132047