I have recently dug myself a pond (September time) and have a couple of plants in it including a couple of bunches of oxygenators. Is there a ratio for how much you need for the pond size, I am worried out the water going green. I did have a frog in the pond within a day of plants going in, which was fantastic.
Thanks
Clare

How many plants

Reply from Kathy C

Hi, Clare,
Most experts suggest that no more than one-third of the pond surface should be covered with plants. However, I find that to be a bit vague. Another rule of thumb is to add the following for each square metre of surface (about 10 square feet):
- 2 bunches of oxygenators
- 1 Water lily
- 1 bog plant
Of course, a larger pond allows for grouping of more than one type of the plants listed above. Also, you can substitue a floating plant for a water lily but be sure to chose a non-invasive type, otherwise it will take over your pond!
Kathy C.
Ka

Thanks

Reply from Clare

Thanks Kathy - I need to buy more oxygenators in that case. Any excuse to go plant shopping!


Clare

Beware of excessive nutrients from Plant centre plants

Reply from Guy Jones - www.emotivelandscapes.co.uk

Congrats on the pond. A few years ago I dug small pond for my parents and we have all been amazed how much wildlife fits in such a small space.

Oxygenators are important but what is more important to avoid the water going green is to, AT ALL COSTS avoid any water nutrients entering the water. 'Greeness', is due to algae being able to survive on excessive nutrients.

When introducing plants from a garden centre be sure to either stand the plant in a bucket of water for about 30mins and allow the pot to drain fully before putting the plants in the pond, or replace the compost with your own low nutrient aquatic mix. The reason for this is that nurseries understandably feed their plants heavily and a lot of this synthetic feed will be left in the compost you buy the plant in.

You may still get an alga bloom early in the summer but this should soon disappear once the algae have eaten all spare nutrients.

Hope this helps. Any questions please ask.

Regards,
Guy, www.emotivelandscapes.co.uk

Waterside Nursery

Reply from Linda Smith

There are many ways of doing this - either 30%of pond volume or in a new pond, the stocking rate for oxygenating plants should be two bunches or 9 cm pots per m² as a start which should lead you to your 30% volume later.
To see a selection online see our website.
www.watersidenursery.co.uk

Frog happy

Reply from Clare

Good tips, thanks Guy and Linda. I am looking foward to developing the pond this year. I am pleased to say my frog was still swimming around as I broke the ice this morning - probably work him up!

Re: Oxygenators

Reply from Michael Crane

Water lilies and floating plants help keep the algae down as they shield the water from the sunlight. The algae need light and nutrients to survive. You know you have the right amount of plant when the water stays clear. The floating plants also encourage the wildlife like dragon-flies.

Re: Oxygenators

Reply from Dave Jones

Hi Clare,
A bit late with this reply but I have only just joined Shoot.
Are you intending to keep fish in your pond? If so, you will need a pump and filter. A lot of modern filters have a UV light built in. UV kills off algae so the water returned to the pond is clear and your water will not go green. The dead algae is trapped in a foam pad before the water goes through the biological part of the filter so the pad needs to be cleaned from time to time. But don't clean it in tap water unless the water has been treated with an agent like "Fresh Start" that removes chlorine as chlorine will kill the biological part of the filter. You can get the agent quiet cheaply from any garden centre that has a pond section. My 3 year old small pond supports Koi and Golden Orfe and the Koi have started breeding
Dave