Of the number of aquatic weeds that are found in your pond there are
many that can cause more issues that others. One of these plants is Hydrilla. Released
in the United States
in Florida
waterways in the 1960’s, hydrilla has now established in many states. The eradication of this invasive weed is
costing millions of dollars each year. This aquatic weed spreads very quickly, clogging waterways, wrapping around boat
propellers, and even getting tangled around the legs of unsuspecting swimmers,
resulting in drowning. It is a submersed
plant that can grow to the surface and form dense mats. It may be found in all
types of water bodies from stagnant ponds to flowing mountain streams.
Hydrilla stems
are slender, branched and up to 25 feet long. Hydrilla's small leaves are strap-like and pointed.They grow in whorls of four to eight around the stem.The leaf margins are distinctly saw-toothed.
Hydrilla often has one or more sharp teeth along the length of the leaf mid-rib. Hydrilla produces tiny white flowers on long stalks. It also
produces 1/4 inch turions at the
leaf axils and potato-like tubers
attached to the roots in the mud. The
tubers can lay dormant for several years making control of these plants
difficult.
Hydrilla can be controlled in a number of ways. The most popular way of controlling this
plant is through the use of aquatic herbicides, but these only result in
temporary control. Lake
drawdowns (lowering the water level) are another method of control which
exposes the plants causing them to die and decompose. Grass carp will consume hydrilla making the
addition of grass carp to your pond also an effective aquatic weed control method that is
more natural than the use of herbicides.
Due to the invasiveness of this plant, measures need to be
taken for control at first sight. This
plant can grow up to an inch a day and the more that it spreads, the harder it
can be to control. Contact your aquatic specialists for the best method to control and eliminate hydrilla and any other
nuisance aquatic weeds.
Since 1998, SOLitude Lake Management has been committed to providing full service lake and pond management services that improve water quality, preserve natural resources, and
reduce our environmental footprint. Our services include lake, pond and
fisheries management programs, algae and aquatic weed control, installation of
fountains and aeration systems, water quality testing and restoration,
bathymetry, lake vegetation studies, habitat assessments and nuisance wildlife
management. We are the second largest distributor of AquaMaster fountains and
aerators internationally and in the U.S. Lake and pond management services are
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Hey, nice explanation about Hydrilla. All the measures that you have explained for controlling hydrilla weeds are very useful and interesting to know.I have implemented aquatic herbicides method for controlling this plant near to my backyard,but not getting ant kind of result. Do you know any other method for controlling this weeds.Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteThere are many aquatic weeds and some are very invasive and off course hydrilla is one of them. It is very hard to remove it. All the points that you suggest for weed control are very useful and it helps to clean your lake and improve water quality.
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