water hyacinth

[cas]

You have a green thumb when it comes to banana trees and water hyacinths @sissy

 

[sissy]

oh yes and it is out of control .I had to dig up bunch's of banana roots and they are growing in the buckets .I have given 15 away so far .Even JW had to move her banana plants .The elephant ears and cannas are taking over also

 

[bagsmom]

@sissy - Wow!!!!! I hope the summer heat perks mine up -- but I can't imagine them looking as great as yours!

 

[Troutredds]

This is the primary reason that Water Hyacinth is not considered invasive and banned in Northern latitude states......it is basically a tropical plant and will not thrive (or survive) in cold weather. There is no chance of this plant choking out waterways as it does in warmer climates. Same is true of Water Lettuce.

Bingo. That's why our Seattle area hyacinths don't really take off until about July, when local temps have risen considerably.

 

[Troutredds]

Last summer here:

The roots of the starts are anchored by river cobble:

 

[bagsmom]

@Troutredds -- Spectacular!!!!!!
What are your temperatures outdoors when they really take off?

 

[Faebinder]

My pH is also 8. My cattails are growing very well, but my hyacinth looks dreadful. My Anacharis is starting to look better. I think one reason is because I don't have enough nutrients built up in the water yet, and the guy at the nursery told me the hyacinth will not do much until the weather is warmer.

I was writing this while cas was posting. I clipped Meyer's remarks. Good to know.

I live in PA too and my experience last year. Hyacinths really like warm weather. May is just not warm enough. Your hyacinths will start kicking well in July and in September they will overwhelm the pond.

Unlike water lettuce, they do not need a lot of sun.

The only reason I no longer use Hyacinths is that they attract mosquitoes.

 

[Troutredds]

@Troutredds -- Spectacular!!!!!!
What are your temperatures outdoors when they really take off?

Consistent daytime temps in the high 70s/low 80s. Full sun (five hours a day in the summer) warms the boulders bordering the pond. Those tropical plants love the heat.

 

[MoonShadows]

Wonder why they attract mosquitoes?

 

[Lisak1]

Wonder why they attract mosquitoes?

I'm curious too.. I've never heard that. Maybe a hiding place for them close to the water? But I guess any dense foliage would do the same.

 

[sissy]

Then you will start thinking you have a leak but nope it is the water hyacinth sucking up water .So remember that because it can be scary

 

[Troutredds]

Wonder why they attract mosquitoes?

Large dense mats of Water Hyacinth can cover lakes and other waterways in warm geographic areas - we're talking acres of plants here, people. This dense barrier impedes water circulation and subsurface photosynthesis. This scenario produces an ideal mosquito breeding habitat. A few plants floating in your backyard pond shouldn't produce a mosquito problem, given sufficient water circulation and a few hungry fish.

 

[Lisak1]

This is the primary reason that Water Hyacinth is not considered invasive and banned in Northern latitude states...

Oddly enough I think it's banned in Wisconsin. Am I right @JBtheExplorer ?

 

[Troutredds]

Oddly enough I think it's banned in Wisconsin. Am I right @JBtheExplorer ?

Another curiosity: It's legal to buy and sell in your state of Illinois Lisa, but not in the city of Chicago. My in-laws in Wheaton can buy it but it's prohibited in the Chicago city limits. If mild Seattle winters can kill it off, I'm sure your cold winters would.

In Washington State it's considered a "non-native invasive nuisance" species. Commercial sale is allowed but it's illegal to place in public waterways.

 

[Lisak1]

For sure! We have to make sure to get it out of the water before the first killing frost or it all turns to slime!