It can be challenging to keep your pond weeds under control. You will first need to identify which specific weed is your main nuisance plant, as you wouldn’t want to start the wrong type of treatment. Additionally, some pond plants are beneficial to local and migratory wildlife.
When it comes to aquatic weed control, pond weeds can be easy to identify.
Algae
Algae are a common nuisance with no defined root system. Some, like planktonic algae, are microscopic, while others resemble land plants, except that they lack roots. It often floats on a pond’s surface in sheets but starts life at the pond’s bottom before floating to the surface.
Emergent Plants
Emergent plants are rooted plants often found along the shoreline. They stand above the surface of the water, like cattails. The stems or stalks of emergent plants are somewhat stiff or firm. You will want aquatic weed control for some common emergent weeds are alligator weed, water pennywort, and smartweed.
Floating Plants
True floating plants are not attached to the bottom of the pond. Some varieties can grow to over a foot in diameter, like the water hyacinth. Most have roots that hang in the water from the floating green portions. Duckweeds are a good example and form dense blankets that cover the surface of the water.
Submerged Plants
Of the underwater pond plants that require aquatic weed control, Hydrilla is one of the worst submerged weeds. It grows quickly and has long leaves and sharply serrated edges. Its leaves are quite rough to the touch. Flowers grown from their upper branches are translucent to white.