Alteratives to Water Hyacinth

[Bob Campbell]

The recent discussion about water hyacinth has been on my mind, and it seemed worthy of opening a new discussion.  Maybe we can find a few good alternatives.

There were a couple good links provided by Dr George Brooks I'd like to keep from becoming lost.

Sludge Busters

Prohibited Noxious Weeds in Arizona

I have come up with only a few choices.  One that makes good sense is Parrot Feather.  The good thing about Parrot Feather is the fish are not as likely to eat it, I say not as likely because I think my Koi nibble the roots.  It's invasive, and may also be banded from some locals, but I did not see it on the list above.   If floating plants are not required thenI would also assume Papyrus would be a good choice.  There are at least two types of Papyrus, and I have both,  One is short (about 2') while the other is large (about 5').   Space may dictate which one you prefer. Papyrus propagates easily and has fine hair roots.

 

Water Hyacinth is legal where I live. But I have not been able to keep in in my pond over the Winter. In the Summer it spreads very quickly and most of it ends up in my compost.

[Bob Campbell]

I called every nursery and aquarium store within 30 miles, but found no Azolla or Water Cress.  Finally I went to the health food store and found live with the roots hydroponic Water Cress.  I planted it in my raft where I have the most water flowing.  Indoor temperature has been hitting 92 during the day, but the water is still at 76F so I can only hope it survives. 

I fed some to the fish, and they ate it, so they must like it better than me.

[Jon Parr]

HeHe. So you don't like the WC, eh. Give it a chance, it grows on you. Toss some in a salad, and add a little each time. Pretty soon you'll be craving a pure WC salad, and anything else will taste bland.


Bob Campbell said:

I called every nursery and aquarium store within 30 miles, but found no Azolla or Water Cress.  Finally I went to the health food store and found live with the roots hydroponic Water Cress.  I planted it in my raft where I have the most water flowing.  Indoor temperature has been hitting 92 during the day, but the water is still at 76F so I can only hope it survives. 

I fed some to the fish, and they ate it, so they must like it better than me.

[Bob Campbell]

Yeah it's a bit strong, but I do like your new picture.

Jon Parr said:

HeHe. So you don't like the WC, eh. Give it a chance, it grows on you. Toss some in a salad, and add a little each time. Pretty soon you'll be craving a pure WC salad, and anything else will taste bland.

[Chris George]

@Bob (and whoever interested in watercress)....I bought some at Whole Paycheck (aka Foods) for about $3 with the root system attached....several times, just threw it in a floating net pot with some hydroton....and it took off (until the water temperature did it in that is....;-)

[Jon Parr]

Chris, and likely Bob too. The kind I got at my local Whole Paycheck was the lousy kind, that certainly continued to grow but never branched and rooted, or went to seed. I finally yanked it and fed it to the rabbits a couple of days ago. The better tasting, faster growing, and very easy to propagate kind should look like this armload I cut for dinner tonight:

I'm growing some in 86 F water in a greenhouse that gets over 100 e...

[Chris George]

@Jon....that looks super delicious....watercress and cream cheese sandwiches at your house today ;-), I've had the non-spreading kind and the spreading kind both so now I'm wondering what my source was for the #2 one....but you are right it grows easily from seed.  86 degrees, well my water was probably hotter than that when mine fizzled out, but not too much hotter.  I'll have to try it again.

@Bob...I think the UofA in Tucson (that's where you used to live, right?) was involved with Azolla experimentation, so, Dave Story (from the group) should know source info and general information.  There must be some issues with heat because I haven't heard of anyone here in the Valley growing any with success, but in Tucson I believe there was success.  I can never remember where you are in CA...are you up north around Sacramento, the point is, are you hot and dry like the Phoenix area, or higher elevation like Tucson, and are you Desert at all?  My oldest son used to live in Smartville and it was hot and dry.

[Bob Campbell]

 I found this site very interesting.  My goal is to grow plants that will clean the water and provide food the fish will eat.

Even if I must grow these plants outside of the fish tank I believe it would be an asset to grow live food for the fish. 

I think the fish will really appreciate this live source of food, but big Tilapia may uproot,and destroy the plants so setting aside a special grow bed willprobably be necessary.

The vegetables will of course be the intention of my system, but putting aside an area for eatable plants the fish will enjoy seems like a good  investment in their health, and an economic solution to fish food.

[Chris George]

@Bob....cool plant article.  I really like Salvinia, but I'm going to check the 'prohibited/restricted' list and since it's prolific, I bet I find it's a no-no here.  Do you have a BSF larvae bin set-up....they are great fish & chicken food, I haven't set one up yet but plan to.  

[Chris George]

Bob....the two links in your first post in "Alternatives to WH" are both the 'sludge remover' article.  Do you know where the 'Prohibited Noxious Weeds in AZ' link was, or do you have it??  Thanks....

[Chris George]

Too bad there isn't a place on this group's site for 'files', most groups have that....unless we do and I've missed it!!  

[Robert Rowe]

@Chris George -

http://www.azda.gov/psd/quarantine5.htm

Arizona Revised Statutes R3-4-244 reads as follows:

An explanation of the rule, including the agency’s reasons for initiating the rule:
R3-4-244 and R3-245 are collectively known as the noxious weed rules. These rules regulated the movement, sale, and possession of noxious weeds in Arizona.

R3-4-244 is an interior quarantine that deals with noxious weeds that are already present in Arizona and lists noxious weeds as “Regulated” or “Restricted”. Regulated noxious weeds may be controlled to prevent further infestation or contamination. Restricted noxious weeds shall be quarantined to prevent further infestation or contamination.

R3-4-245 is an exterior quarantine that prevents listed noxious weeds from entering the state of Arizona.

Further clarification from the ASU Agriculture Extension interprets this rule in our case's to mean that as long as we keep the Water Hyacinth contained within our property or control, it meets the quarantine requirements.

[Robert Rowe]

Try the "Search Function" it should find every subject we have collectively put out there. See top right of screen.

Chris George said:

Too bad there isn't a place on this group's site for 'files', most groups have that....unless we do and I've missed it!!