String algae. works for me

[Bert Nagel]

I spent three years dealing with string algae using a variety of available methods from removal to chemicals. Mixed results, regardless. It was quite by accident when looking at water plants that I selected a pickerel rush. That was the end of my string algae. I still need a UV filter as, for whatever reason, the rush is totally ineffective for floating algae. An alternative to the rush is a thalia dealbata. Looks almost identical to the rush except the foliage has a gray tint and it's blooms are flower like instead of spikes. This may be old news to some but, whatever, I thought I'd share it. I must caution that it's not a small plant reaching anywhere from 4 to 6 feet. When I remove my rush (it's potted) for the winter I plant it in a usually wet spot in the yard and it comes back healthy in the spring.

 

[MitchM]

I'm not aware of any allelopathic tendencies from pickerel rush.
Can you shed any light about the water conditions of your pond before and after the algae disappeared?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

The research paper-
Reduction of nutrient contaminants into shallow eutrophic waters through vegetated treatment beds.
Han P1, Vijayaraghavan K, Reuben S, Estrada ES, Joshi UM.
showed that "four emergent macrophytes (Cyperus haspan, Pandanus amaryllifolius, Pontederia cordata and Thalia geniculata) and two floating plants (Hygroryza aristata and Pistia stratiotes)" possessed exceptional abilities in nutrient uptake. It further stated that "With the exception of T. geniculata, depletion of nutrients as a result of plant uptake significantly impeded the natural colonization of algae invariably leading to improvements in water quality in terms of turbidity and pH. Suppression of algae proliferation by T. geniculata was not preceded by a reduction in nutrient concentrations suggesting that
T. geniculata may be directly inhibiting algal growth through allelopathy."

 

[Lisak1]

Good to know! (At least the parts I understand! )

 

[MitchM]

The research paper is saying that there was no reduction in nutrient levels before the algae population was reduced, therefore the algae reduction may be due to allelopathic effects from the pickerel rush.

Thank you, Meyer.

 

[Bert Nagel]

I spent three years dealing with string algae using a variety of available methods from removal to chemicals. Mixed results, regardless. It was quite by accident when looking at water plants that I selected a pickerel rush. That was the end of my string algae. I still need a UV filter as, for whatever reason, the rush is totally ineffective for floating algae. An alternative to the rush is a thalia dealbata. Looks almost identical to the rush except the foliage has a gray tint and it's blooms are flower like instead of spikes. This may be old news to some but, whatever, I thought I'd share it. I must caution that it's not a small plant reaching anywhere from 4 to 6 feet. When I remove my rush (it's potted) for the winter I plant it in a usually wet spot in the yard and it comes back healthy in the spring.

 

[Bert Nagel]

Mitch, As to water quality before or after or what properties exist in the plant I have no idea. The plant was installed in early spring, prior to the appearance of any algae, so it was some time before I realized what was, or actually, what wasn't happening.

 

[sissy]

I have pickerel rush and guessing it needs repotted but it has 4 blooms on it

 

[Bert Nagel]

I have pickerel rush and guessing it needs repotted but it has 4 blooms on it

Spikes or blooms? In any event, if they're spikes are they blue or purple? I don't think there's anyway to distinguish one from the other in a young plant but, but, except for the color, they're identical. Because of the weight involved using a big pot all I use in planting is the dirt that clings to the plant and very, very well rinsed lava rock.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

The research paper is saying that there was no reduction in nutrient levels before the algae population was reduced, therefore the algae reduction may be due to allelopathic effects from the pickerel rush.

Thank you, Meyer.

Mitch, I think that you may have mis-read the Quote. It specifically states that
"Suppression of algae proliferation by T. geniculata was not preceded by a reduction in nutrient concentrations suggesting that T. geniculata may be directly inhibiting algal growth through allelopathy."
Thalia geniculata was the exception!

 

[MitchM]

You're right Meyer.
I got Thalia geniculata (Fire Flag) mixed up with Pondeteria cordata (Pickerel Rush)

so -
Ponderteria cordata (Pickerel Rush) is effective at nutrient removal that inhibits algae growth.
Thalia geniculata (Fire flag) may exhibit allelopathic tendencies that prevents algae growth.

Correct?

Thanks.


.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Based on the paper's abstract, yes. The abstract doesn't say what the control conditions were for this research project...number of plants, size of stream bed, nutrient levels, duration of test(s), etc. So it can not be discerned what the actual level of nutrient uptake was.
Although I am keenly interested in the data, I am not willing to spent $37.00 for access to the entire document. I will wait until it becomes available through 'Open Access'.

 

[MitchM]

I found that abstract as well.
Sometimes I go through my hobby information too quickly and mix up a couple of details.
As an aside, I also found that some willow plants contain salicin, which can act as an algecide and I'm trying to track down some studies on that without subscribing to some journal.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

I also found that some willow plants contain salicin, which can act as an algecide

Interesting. If you can find a link(s) to the document(s) I would appreciate having it.

 

[MitchM]

This is what I have come across so far. I'm rooting some willow branches in my substrate pond right now and hope to update that thread soon. Apparently both birch and willow have salicin in their bark and roots,
http://www.wef.org/PublicInformation/page.aspx?id=775

edit, some additional resources
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/sciencefair/moscoso.htm

http://biosurvey.ou.edu/oas/02/papers/lFimple02.htm (this one doesn't seem to want to display the webpage properly in my browser, maybe someone else can test it out)