Whats the best soil for replanting aquatic plants?

[texmaster]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to find the right soil for re-potting my lilipads. I'm in Dallas and it seems I never find the right soil or the best way to replant without it all floating away when I put it back in the pond.

 

[Lisak1]

I used to use heavy clay soil from my yard - it was very much like what they came planted in. But the pots got so heavy I started experimenting. Now I use plain kitty litter - I get the cheapest stuff they sell at the dollar store - and plant in that. I top the pots off with some gravel and larger rocks to hold the tuber in until it firms up in the pot. I make sure to soak the pot really well before I put it in the pond and when I do I sink it slowly to avoid disturbing it.

I also have several lilies in pots with no dirt all - just a rock large enough up hold them in the pot. Those do great as well.

 

[Richardspond]

I use clay from my property. If you research, it's the best to use. I'm not paying 23 bucks for auquatic soil at 10 lbs. And I to top them off with rocks

 

[Richardspond]

Also you can use potting soil in bottom sand on top. I top that with nothing. Sand is pretty stable in the water

 

[mgmine]

I use kitty litter.

 

[Sarcasticshrub]

Special kitty cat litter. 100% natural ground clay. 25 lb bag will set you back around $4.00 from Wally world.

 

[JBailey]

I'm about to pot up plants myself and got clay kitty litter to try. I'll top it with pea gravel I have on hand. Fingers crossed for happy plants!

 

[addy1]

Everything I plant, in the pond, is in kitty litter, they all do great.

 

[ChrisP]

So I used kitty litter for some plants, but as soon as the water hit it, it started bubbling profusely and formed an exothermic reaction. Is this normal?

 

[addy1]

It bubbles as the air escapes, pure kitty clay no additives. I have been using it for years. It also sends out a cloud of dust that clears up.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

So I used kitty litter for some plants, but as soon as the water hit it, it started bubbling profusely and formed an exothermic reaction. Is this normal?

DO NOT use clumping kitty litter or any that has any additives for odor control. Use only plain kitty litter, the really cheap stuff.

 

[ChrisP]

DO NOT use clumping kitty litter or any that has any additives for odor control. Use only plain kitty litter, the really cheap stuff.

I looked and looked and could not find anything WITHOUT fragrances added, and the clumping...

 

[Meyer Jordan]

WalMart carries the plain litter.

 

[Corgi Mom]

Everyone has a different approach. I avoid kitty litter or soil. Gravel or river rocks work best for me. I think the fewer things you put in your pond the better.

 

[Lisak1]

I think the fewer things you put in your pond the better.

Some people would say the same about rock and gravel I suppose. There's a school of thought that kitty litter (being 100% clay) is actually healthy for your pond. We buy koi clay to add to our pond for clarity and it's supposed to add important minerals for the fish - and that's just bentonite or montmorillonite clay.

I've used soil, I've used kitty litter, I've used gravel and rock- whatever works best for you is the way to go!