We also added some of the ramshorn snails last week, and are waiting to see if they make any difference to the blanket weed dominance. Do they drop to the bottom of the pond or stay on top or the sides? We are having difficulty knowing if they survived the change of habitat as we can no longer see them.
Blanket weed has been a big problem with us since soon after we added the water to the pond in Spring last year, although the lilies are growing (slowly) but only cover approx. one quarter of the surface water.
Hello Fire. The Nishikoi blanket weed killer applied a month ago got rid of the blanket weed within days but as it disintegrated the pond water became quite black and now it is murky green. Such water can quite rapidly clear of its own accord so I am leaving it for the moment but I do feel that oxygenators or snails are needed.
Most of the water lily leaves have now died and will shortly decompose. I am bracing myself for donning the waders and going for a rummage.
My pond is very similar. It's a new pond this year; I've got as many plants in as I can for now. The two lilies are getting there, there are a couple of other surface plants, and what I feel is a decent amount of oxygenators. I am getting the wellies on every week and standing on the margin shelf and getting the blanket weed out by hand. It's much quicker and more effective than doing it with a stick.
I have also noticed the snails are proliferating. The plant pots have loads of tiny baby snails on the stones, and I find snails in amongst the blanket weed when I pull it out.
I'm going to persevere with my method this year, and up to the end of next year. If the blanket weed persists after that I'll look at other options.
My pond was dug in January and filled in late Jan/early Feb. Ive been adding plants since which are now beginning to grow quite well. I know that I need to have quite a lot of its surface covered to help with the blanketweed - which will happen eventually! I've been twirling my blanket weed daily and leaving to dry by the side in case of any critters that are caught up. All my wildlife seems to be tiny - and I haven't spotted any snails. Should I buy some? And where is the best place? Not sure that the local aquatic garden centre has them...
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Most of the water lily leaves have now died and will shortly decompose. I am bracing myself for donning the waders and going for a rummage.
I have also noticed the snails are proliferating. The plant pots have loads of tiny baby snails on the stones, and I find snails in amongst the blanket weed when I pull it out.
I'm going to persevere with my method this year, and up to the end of next year. If the blanket weed persists after that I'll look at other options.
@Dovefromabove suggested this site -
https://www.naturescape.co.uk/product-category/pond-marsh-plants/pond-plants-t-z-pond-snails-baskets/
We both got snails from there, they arrived quickly and in good health, and I've now got so many I'm looking for recipes
PS I got the pond snails and the other forum member got the ramshorn snails. I can say the pond snails have thrived
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.