Topic: algae.

[GRACELAND]

Got a sudden bloom of  algae.

Best ways of control apart from getting it out by hand

Barley Straw Do it work ??

[froglets]

Barley straw works for small ponds but like many organic cures, it's slowly. slowly.  Can you do anything to cut down the amount of sun on the pond?

If you can hoik it out, that will work temorarrily, with all the usual concerns about putting it into a holding "bath" so you can spot any wildlife that needs putting back.  Unless you address the problms that cause it in the first place, it will still come back so check things like garden run-off adding nutrients, good bug population, shade, etc

Cheers

[moonbells]

I found barley worked, while I got the balance of the pondweed (elodea, the oxygenator) and waterlilies right. Now it looks after itself.

moonbells

[GrannieAnnie]

Barley straw works for algae except string algae.
Also the straw chemicals begin work when the water temps reach 70 F.
If the weather temps fluctuate, that is when the pond gets an algae bloom where we live.
When the weather settles down it isn't much of a problem.
I bought a bale of barley in 2003 and am still using it- just stuff some in nylon stockings and fasten them so they stay submerged but near the water surface (won't work well if it lays on the bottom I've heard.)

[GRACELAND]

Any one know where to get some Barley straw  cheapish ;D 

[OberonUK]

I've used barley straw too - make sure you contain it though, in a mesh bag or stocking. You can get it commercially from aquatic suppliers if you have no other route. There is also an extract available - quick search brought up this page - http://www.water-garden.co.uk/water_treatment_crystal_clear.php - scroll down to find it, but make sure you are sitting down when you see the price!

I guess the other option is UV/filtration. But a small bale of barley has worked for me in the past as long as you don't expect instant results. Also consider increasing the cover of the surface of your pond with floaters or things like lillies... I think the algae need light to bloom and so the less direct sunlight, the less algae you get.

[GrannieAnnie]

I was toying with growing a little plot of barley next year to replace this bale
though I don't know anything about its growth requirements.
Do you have room on your allotment?

[GrannieAnnie]

After posting that I started looking for a barley seed supplier and found this idea on the internet:
 "Do you have health food grocery store nearby? Here in Northern California we have a chain named Whole Foods. They stock all sorts of grains. I bought some "hulled barley" to compare to pearl barley. I soaked it overnight but forgot about it. Two days later I opened the container and discovered that it had sprouted! I planted a bunch of them in a 10-gallon bucket on May 5th and by July 8th I had a really nice crop of barley. I’m guessing that hulled barley is the same as seed--and it’s probably less expensive than seed."

I don't know if it would be less expensive but at least it would come in a smaller amount than from
an agricultural supply house.

But you want barley RIGHT NOW so this isn't answering your question.

[GRACELAND]

um worth looking into  thanks :D

[Mimi]

I bought a largish bale from Pets at Home.  Think they sell it for rabbit bedding.  Just shove loads into a leg cut from a pair of tights .  Tie the end around a stone or brick and chuck in the pond.  A lot cheaper than the 'specialist' barley straw for ponds, .which local garden centre wanted £5 for a handful.

[Digeroo]

I worked a few years ago for an organisation who had a large lake and straw bales were put in every year.  There was certainly not much algae and certainly none of the nasty blue stuff.

Big downside was how much they smelt when they were removed.

We are currently having problems with the communal waterbutt so I will see if I can source some barley.  Will wheat straw do?  Got plenty of that available.

[GrannieAnnie]

I stopped by our farmer's market that sells unusual foods for many nationalities that live here and found some barley seed from India. In two days it sprouted after soaking it then putting it in paper towel and into a zip lock bag. (I wasn't sure if it hadn't been toasted and couldn't tell from the label if it would be viable.) Now I'm ready to plant some in a pot and see how it goes. Probably two tubs of good straw would be plenty for my pond for a season I'm guessing.

[Ishard]

Also try feeding your fish less as the fish pooh creates nitrogen which the algea ( and blanket weed) feeds on

[Angel]

Have a small pond and this is first year noticed its being choked by green slimy stringy fibres..... am guessing this is Algae ?

Sorry, new to ponds and not sure  ???

[GRACELAND]

Have a small pond and this is first year noticed its being choked by green slimy stringy fibres..... am guessing this is Algae ?

Sorry, new to ponds and not sure  ???

Yep   This is the nasty stuff    Read above for info on getting shot of it  ;D

[lillian]

Barley straw works for algae except string algae.

Bought some Barley Straw Extract which cured surface frothy green algae. However I still have alot of string algae. Any ideas what I can use?

[Angel]

Have a small pond and this is first year noticed its being choked by green slimy stringy fibres..... am guessing this is Algae ?

Sorry, new to ponds and not sure  ???

Yep   This is the nasty stuff    Read above for info on getting shot of it  ;D

Thanks......... spent today with the kitchen utensil for lifting spaghetti to pull it all out LOL - Knew that wud come in handy one day

[Angel]

Grrr........... its back !! 

Am I to spend the rest of summer clearing it out of pond ?

[tonybloke]

chuck in a grass carp ( they eat it)  ;)

[Angel]

Hi Tony  - long time no speak

Didnt really want to put fish in  ( it is a fish yeah ? )

Will continue with the spaghetti spoon LOL