Hornwort?

[JenH]

I have been trying to decide on a submerged plant to add to my pond. I've read a lot about anacharis, but none of the water garden places sell it here and a couple websites I've found won't ship it to Indiana. I did find hornwort at one local store and was thinking of getting some this weekend. Can any of you tell me if its worth it to add? Also, any ideas of how much I should purchase to start with. The stuff is pretty cheap $2/bunch. Lastly if I do get some would I need to weight it down with something or will it just sink and stay at the bottom on its own? I also read that it controls algae by emmitting something that algae doesn't like. Just wanting some opinions, so whatever ya'all can tell me. Thanks!

Also, do you trim your water hyacinth at all? Mine have some browning leaves (and the little ball thing the leaf is attached to) Wondering if I should cut those off. Also, several of them had been connected, but now none of them are. Not sure if it would be the fish or the frogs tearing them apart, but should I cut of the stalks that originally connected them, they are looking kind of black, but aren't mushy like those ball things. Thanks!

 

[Steve knight]

I used to add anchors but it was a hassle so I just let it float around. it made it through the winter in my pond.

 

[addy1]

If the hyacinths are turning mushy I would trim it off, ow it will add dying vegetation that will help foul your water.

 

[HARO]

Hornwort has no roots, so it does no good to pot it. It tends to rot at the soil line. Ditto for tying them in bunches. Ive never heard of them emitting anything, but they do use up the phosphates that algae need to flourish. Our sales tanks for hornwort are always crystal clear, even though they are in full sun in a greenhouse. And if your bunches are the same size as ours (8 or 9 stems) then get about 3-4 for every 500 gallons. John

 

[JenH]

Thanks John. I will get what you say for quantity. One more question though, does it just sink to the bottom then on its own without weighting it or planting it? There is a layer of 2-3" river rock at the bottom of my pond. I just don't want the stuff floating around the surface making my pond look like its full of seaweed! LOL

 

[fishin4cars]

Hornwort does sink, once it's established it will stay in place but if it's weighted it will rot at the bottom. Anachris is probably the best choice for oxygenator of all plants, but other choices are also cabomba, which will root and anchor, hydrilla, which is very invasive but does well even in freezer water temps. and crystalwort, Little harder to find in the US but a really neat looking compact plant that will root and also survives the winter very well.

 

[addy1]

I had some great growing anachris, but the goldies inhaled it.

 

[HARO]

I had some great growing anachris, but the goldies inhaled it.

Hornwort has a coarser texture, and I've found that goldfish will generally leave it alone. John

 

[sissy]

anacharis you can buy at most pet stores that sell fish .My local petsmart and petco both carry it

 

[JenH]

I ended up getting Anacharis. The guy was out of hornwort and had some of that. It wasn't really in bunches though, he just filled a bag with it so I have spent all morning bunching it up and weighting it so it stays at the bottom. What a chore!! I had to actually climb in the pond for the first time ever. I had that stuff just floating in there so it wouldn't dry out while I was bunching it up. The fish didn't even care that I was standing in the middle of their house! LOL They didn't hide and just kept swimming around my legs! I was afraid I was gonna step on one of them! They sure seem to like swimming around in the anacharis too!! Haven't really noticed them eating it yet.

 

[addy1]

Neat, I enjoy the fish swimming around me, they come up and give little nibbles all the time.