New pond planting

[Graman]

Good evening and thanks for allowing me to post. I am a complete beginner and I have just got to the point of getting plants for the pond. What I would like advise on is in the picture I’ve added to this post your see the moulded pond as planting Troughs what I would like to know do I leave the plant in pot or could I add pond compost to the troughs and plant straight into them.

 

[BKHpondcritters]

Well, you could do either. What you have going on there is perfectly fine, but.... if you'd like a slightly more 'natural' look, then lose the pot & fill that trough with aquatic planting soil (NOT anything out of your garden or a bag of 'regular' garden soil!) such as this:

Microbe-Lift Aquatic Planting Media

Cultivate the quality of your pond plants with Microbe-Lift Aquatic Planting Media from The Pond Guy. Shop for fertilizer, baskets, plants & more!

www.thepondguy.com

and then plant right in that.

Just make sure everything you plant in that fashion is fully hardy to your growing zone, otherwise you'll be looking at pulling & replacing those plants every Spring (with the hardy ones, you will only have to work with then as they overgrow the location & need division)

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

Do you have fish?

 

[j.w]

@Graman
Cuz if you have fish and you just put media in those pockets the fish will root around in there and knock it all out. So then I would choose pots but If fishless you are ok either way.

 

[GBBUDD]

That plant does not like to be disturbed. id pull it from the pot place it in the trough and add 3/8 " gravel to fill in the cup. mine was slow year one then cranked year two

 

[Graman]

Well, you could do either. What you have going on there is perfectly fine, but.... if you'd like a slightly more 'natural' look, then lose the pot & fill that trough with aquatic planting soil (NOT anything out of your garden or a bag of 'regular' garden soil!) such as this:

Microbe-Lift Aquatic Planting Media

Cultivate the quality of your pond plants with Microbe-Lift Aquatic Planting Media from The Pond Guy. Shop for fertilizer, baskets, plants & more!

www.thepondguy.com

and then plant right in that.

Just make sure everything you plant in that fashion is fully hardy to your growing zone, otherwise you'll be looking at pulling & replacing those plants every Spring (with the hardy ones, you will only have to work with then as they overgrow the location & need division)

Thanks for advice will look into the soil and do my research on thaw plants.

 

[Graman]

Hello and welcome!

Do you have fish?

No fish yet we have treated the water and been filtering the water.

 

[Graman]

View attachment 150026@Graman
Cuz if you have fish and you just put media in those pockets the fish will root around in there and knock it all out. So then I would choose pots but If fishless you are ok either way.

Thanks for advice.

 

[Graman]

That plant does not like to be disturbed. id pull it from the pot place it in the trough and add 3/8 " gravel to fill in the cup. mine was slow year one then cranked year two

Thanks for advice.

 

[WaterGardener]

Welcome.

Please look into fishless cycling. Filtering the water is fine but that won't help you get a nitrogen cycle established and that is essential for your pond.

Not sure what you mean about treating the water. What did you use?

I plant in river rocks or gravel. Pond plants don't need soil since they pull nutrients from the water. Rocks are much less messy and as jw said, fish will root around in soil and dig up the plants.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to the forum!

Once your plants get going they will take off.

 

[Graman]

Welcome.

Please look into fishless cycling. Filtering the water is fine but that won't help you get a nitrogen cycle established and that is essential for your pond.

Not sure what you mean about treating the water. What did you use?

I plant in river rocks or gravel. Pond plants don't need soil since they pull nutrients from the water. Rocks are much less messy and as jw said, fish will root around in soil and dig up the plants.

Hi and thanks for the advise. The treatment is called fresh start I was told to use that by the garden centre I got the bond from. I not going to put fish in till the pond is Established. If I use the gravel I guessing I would keep the soil that’s in the pot at present?

 

[GBBUDD]

Best for the pond if plant is in only gravel . Plant will like a little soil what's your choice what's more important to you plants or pondcand or fish

 

[WaterGardener]

I agree with GBBUDD. No soil.

Make sure you do the fishless cycle before you put in the fish. They will thank you for it.

 

[Graman]

Best for the pond if plant is in only gravel . Plant will like a little soil what's your choice what's more important to you plants or pondcand or fish

Thanks again for advice I would like fish at some point but getting the pond right is my priority.