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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

My spouse has developed a fascination with string algae

albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.

13 years ago

My spouse has developed a fascination with string algae.
Here is the history. An old hot tub was converted into an outdoor fish-tank. She then took a course in solar power and fitted the thing with a solar pump and a venturi for aeration.

When she went to do the spring cleaning there was yards and yards of string algae at the intake to the pump and she is fascinated, completely obsessed with the stuff. "That is the most fascinating [expletive] I have ever seen." "Can it be turned into something useful?" That sort of curiosity.

Please recommend links where she could read more than most people would every want to know about the biology/botany of string algae.

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Comments (10)

mike_il
13 years ago
I don't know of a website but you can tell your spouse that one acre of algae can make 14,000 gallons of biodiesel per year.
Mike
sleeplessinftwayne
13 years ago
LOL! The first thing a gardener thinks of is how does it do as fertilizer! There are many links to the subject but I have a tendency to stray to coverage of different forms of algae. One of the most interesting is red algae which in normal conditions can have many uses including food and in too large numbers becomes known as the red tide, a deadly form that decimates sea life.

If your wife is interested in more than just string algae, my favorite resource is "Ron's Pond Scum".

Here is a link that might be useful: Ron's Pond Scum
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Hi Xuan, What a great picture, wish we could put it in the dictionary, under: Tuber, the reproductive organ of Ceropegias (String of Pearls). It looks so perfectly round & its texture reminds me of a canteloupe (an American melon, if you don't have such in your part the World). The same way that to plant a potato, one doesn't use seed, but rather a chunk of the potato, one plants this, to get the Ceropegia. They will also make seed pods, but this is what's commonly used to make more of the plant. Here, Ceropegias are common grown potted with their foliage hanging down & one see these little "balls" growing along their 'strings'. To "plant" it, one would take that tuber & put it into the mix, pushing it about 1/2 way or 2/3 of the way down in the mix, so that you can still see the top of the ball. New vines will grow from the tuber. The Tuber (or Corm) is sort of its bulb, this is a way to reproduce the plant. Eventually over time, the tuber grows bigger & bigger & takes over the pot. A few years ago, I gave some of this plant to my sister, who grows it from a high shelf inside her shower stall. I warned that when the vines developed these little balls, that they were its mode of reproduction, so she wouldn't be nervous that it was a bug or insect & freak out & cut it off or spray w/ insecticide OR even toss the plants! So that's the answer! For an extra special adventure & more info. about Ceropegias, if you like them, please search for "the Ceropegia Journal" by my friend & fellow artist (& Ceropegia Master), Sage Reynolds. These are his plants, his photography & his site, all of which he has designed himself. A talented man & kind & generous friend. Enjoy!
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albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
Original Author
13 years ago
She spread a sheet of some string algae out on a flat rock and determined that dried it has a resistance to tear and puncture somewhere between toilet paper and cheap paper towels. No use for this observation yet.

She twisted some into a twine and determined that if it allowed to dry somewhat, but not entirely, it can be used for macrame. She does not have enough to do a complete experiment yet.

I find it curious that this one developed in cold water. We did not see it last summer. Now that the water temperature is getting to 50F most days I don't see much of it anymore.
diggery
13 years ago
ROFLOL! Here I'm thinkin your spouse & I might just be long-lost cousins.Tell her to be sure & post the results of all her experiments *grin*

bless ya's
~digger
horton
13 years ago
"......and determined that dried it has a resistance to tear and puncture somewhere between toilet paper and cheap paper towels. No use for this observation yet."

Unless you become a contestant on"Survivor"!
Min3 South S.F. Bay CA
13 years ago
another (personally unfortunate) scientific observation about string algae: if a pile of it is left lying wet on a smooth walking surface, you can slip on it and sprain a wrist. perhaps it could be used as an under water lubricant?
also, my dog thinks it is very tasty. pet food ingredient?
min
horton
13 years ago
Min, be very careful about allowing your dog to ingest algae, as some forms of algae are toxic and could kill or at the very least make your dog extremely ill.

Here is a link that might be useful: Toxic Algae
Min3 South S.F. Bay CA
13 years ago
thanks very much for the link, horton- i had no idea! fortunately my dogs are rarely allowed in the part of the property where the ponds are, so i can make sure that the one who likes algae won't have another chance to eat it.
min
annedickinson
13 years ago
I love string algae too when it is in the stream. If it gets too thick, I just twist some out on a branch. I like reading about how your wife is experimenting with it.
eyecndiggit
13 years ago
It makes great Halloween decorations.

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