Too long

[Alpravinosh]

Hi forum. My question today is about this aquatic plant I have where the leaves are so long and upward growing that a small gust of wind pushes it down ( please do note its in a pot ). So I would like to know if it is possible for me to remove the plant from its pit and burry the root amongs my stone. Here is a photo. Thank you.

 

[Lisak1]

Sure! All of my marginal plants are planted directly in the pond - less pots equals less work for me!

 

[Alpravinosh]

Oh great LisaK but isn't there a danger of having the roots puncture the liner?

 

[Lisak1]

isn't there a danger of having the roots puncture the liner?

If you used EPDM 45 mil pond liner, you won't have any worries about the plant puncturing the liner. Roots will take the path of least resistance, which is definitely not through the liner. I have some plants which have grown up and over the liner and into the terrestrial edge of the pond. But pond liner is extremely tough stuff. Plants also are generally seeking out water, and since your plant is already IN the water it won't need to go looking elsewhere.

The only time I've heard of roots going through the liner (from the pond side) is from a ponder who had a friend give him some cattails he dug from a ditch. He planted them in his pond and was shocked when they grew through his liner. The pond company that came out to fix the damage told him they had a customer who had the same type of cattails grow through a cement pond wall. So there's a warning for you - no wild caught cattails in your pond!

 

[RobAmy]

I have wild ones and so far okay. But your warning is noted. Let's hope for the best. My dad had palm tree roots grow thru the liner in Florida. I do not know which kind. I think they are a smaller variety. Around here I see tree roots grow thru concrete all the time.

 

[Lisak1]

My dad had palm tree roots grow thru the liner in Florida

I've heard of lots of tree roots growing INTO the pond, but I've never heard of plant roots growing OUT of the pond through the liner (other than cattails, that is). Trees and plants seeking water will do amazing things, like bust through PVC or clay sewer lines. And a friend who is in the concrete business has also seen roots come right through basement walls. Nature will prevail!

 

[Timothy]

A little off subject, but I've dug up wild cattails and moved them to my pond. The caveat here is I've containerized them so I can "Stage" them where I want them, and each year cut them back so they don't grow out of their pots. I just plant them in cat litter with Osmocote. My biggest fear if I let them run naturally is that they'll find the pump(s) and cause a problem.

 

[RobAmy]

I've dug up wild cattails

I want to be clear, I never dug up wild cattails, where I buy my landscape supplies they had a small water feature and the cattails just grew naturally there over the years, they are near water. They wanted to take it down for another display and they told me I could take them. Boy what a job that was and they were heavy. This was for my first small pond and then I just transferred them to my pond now.

 

[Timothy]

They grow like weeds up here. They're not protected, and in fact are more nuisance than anything because of being so prolific.

 

[RobAmy]

They grow like weeds up here. They're not protected, and in fact are more nuisance than anything because of being so prolific.

Sorry I did not mean anything against you. I did state I have wild cattails so I did not want to give the wrong impression that's all.

 

[Timothy]

No worries!
After trudging through ankle- deep ooze to get them, if it weren't for them being so tough and propagating, I'm not sure I'd go back for more.

 

[Alpravinosh]

Well thank you all for all the comments and advice. I have u potted the plant and have divided them up to put some of them in the stream and some in the main pond. Here is some pictures.

 

[Alpravinosh]

What are your comments?

 

[RobAmy]

They look nice but I would be concerned for the ones in the stream, the roots are big and grow fast and thick. They may cause the small stones to fall/move causing a leak. Beautiful lily pads BTW

 

[Alpravinosh]

I am not to sure I get what you mean though. As behind the small stones there is a liner. Do you think it will go through that?