If you have the choice of whether to choose algae or pike weed, you don't have to think twice. While algae can unbalance the pond, the pikeweed stretches out its colorful flowers towards us. That's why people like to hear the news that pike herb helps against algae growth.
Pike weed robs algae of their food
Where does the algae come from?
Only when the pond water turns green do we ask ourselves at a loss where the algae are suddenly coming from. Because no one put them in the water knowingly. The answer is: they have always been there. Algae are contained in fine dust, so they reach every new pond in no time. The question is therefore not why there are algae in the pond, but why they are suddenly swimming in it in such large quantities. Only then do they become a problem.
Improved living conditions
Algae need phosphate to grow. Other pond plants do the same. The difference is that algae absorb and utilize this element faster. As soon as they get additional sun or heat, they start growing immediately. Other plants need a longer start-up before growth gets going.
For various reasons, the phosphate concentration in the pond can occasionally increase. For example, if fertilization has been carried out nearby and the rain flushes the phosphate into the pond. The algae that are already present in the pond but are not particularly noticeable are happy to accept it. This is how an algal bloom occurs.
nutrient competition
One solution is to remove most of the phosphate from the algae. For example, if other plants help themselves generously, there is less left for the algae. These are recommended:
- chickweed
- duckweed
- frog bite
- pike weed
Although duckweed and hornwort also help against algae, pikeweed with its violet flowers is a particularly attractive food competitor to the algae.
Rapid growth
The fact that pikeweed can compete with algae is thanks to its rapid growth. This is the only way for the plant to withhold a considerable amount of phosphate from the equally fast algae through self-consumption.
In the fight against algae, the pike can also use its plant parts. The planting depth is only 10 to 40 cm, which is why it sticks out of the water. This reduces the water surface on which algae can float.
tips
Plant the pike weed with a plant basket so that it can be overwintered more easily. In autumn, the basket and rhizome are simply pushed into a deeper area of the pond.