Need help growing water hyacinth

15 years ago

I need some help please. This is my first time trying to grow hyacinth, and I think I am doing something wrong. I bought 6 of them and threw them in the pond. I read on other posts...I think courtesy of Glenda....to make a home made ring out of tubing to hold them together. So I did this. They look ok, not dying, don't think the fish are eating the roots too much. Problem is, it has been 1 month, and they are not growing. Is this normal? how do I feed them if there are no pots? I have read on here that people soak the in Miracle Gro...does this really work? Will that harm the fish if they eat the roots? How long should I soak them? Also, I think my problem may be too much shade....do they like a lot of sun?

Thank you in advance...Amanda

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Comments (5)

gknee_50
15 years ago
Hi Amanda...I'm glad to see someone else is having problem with their water hyacinths other than me. Everyone I talk to say that they just take off in your pond and keep growing and growing...but my doesn't seem to spread at all.
I do know that you have to keep them away from your waterfall...don't let water splash on them and they do like plenty of sunshine! I'll be watching on the forum for some advice also! Hope someone can help us!
Jeanne
larryl
15 years ago
Water hyacinths consume prodigious amounts of nutrients. If enough of the right kinds of nutrients are available they will really take off once the water warms up. Most of the time, if they are not doing well it is because one of the essential nutrients is unavailable. Potash is often the culprit but it can sometimes be a lack of iron. You can just add these nutrients to the pond. There is no need to put them in a bucket of miracle grow.

If the problem is a potash shortage, the hyacinths will have an olive green tint and will have long root systems. They will not grow much and will not be budding babies.

If the problem is an iron shortage they will be chlorotic, which means they will not produce chlorophyll and will exhibit a pronounced sickly yellow color. They might also have more dead leaves than usual.

Add some potash and/or some chelated iron and see what happens. If the problem is a nutrient deficiency, and you add the right nutrient, you should see improvement in a few days.
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gknee_50
15 years ago
Larryl...the hyacinths I purchased from a lawn and garden store have very long roots. Are you saying those will not be budding?? Where can I buy potash??
Thank you! Jeanne
asun1
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks larryl....will try.
larryl
15 years ago
Potash is potassium. The most readily available form of potassium is potassium chloride. You can buy a lifetime supply for around $8, if you can find a special kind of water softener salt that is potassium chloride instead of the more common sodium chloride. The potassium chloride salt is used by people that don't want to add any more salt to their water for health reasons. Call places that sell water softener salt and ask for potassium chloride.

Start with a handful for each thousand gallons. The amount isn't at all critical.

Need help growing water hyacinth

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gknee_50

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Need help growing water hyacinth

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