Water Hyacinth(Eichhornia crassipes) is a floating aquatic plant that produces large, green, fleshy leaves. Its attractive flowers, gathered in an ear, are similar to the flowers of traditional hyacinths known from our gardens. The fleshy leaves of the water hyacinth make it easily float on the water surface. See howgrowing a water hyacinthin a garden pond looks like and what are the requirements of this plant. We explain whether it is possible towintering the water hyacinthand whether it is possible to reproduce this species on its own.
Water hyacinth, thick-tailed pontoon - Eichhornia crassipes
Fig. pixabay.com
What does water hyacinth look like?
Water hyacinth comes from the tropical Amazon.It is a very popular floating plant for ponds. However, due to the lack of frost resistance in our climate, it is grown mainly as an annual species. Other names attributed to this plant are:thick-tailed pontederia , thick-tailed eichornia and floating hyacinth.
Water hyacinth floats on the surface of the water thanks to its leaveswhich are filled with air at the base. Its exotic appearance is emphasized by both lush lilac-purple flowers and showy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves. The long, dangling, purple roots of the Pontoon are also no less decorative.
Water hyacinth flowersappear on stiff stems raised above the water. Each inflorescence consists of 5 to 12 flowers, up to 5 cm in diameter. The flowers are most often lilac color except for the upper petal which is purple-blue with a dark yellow spot in the center.Unfortunately, the water hyacinth only blooms in full sun when the air temperature reaches at least 24 ° C and the water temperature exceeds 20 ° C.
Good to know!
To provoke the flowering of the water hyacinth, it is worth removing its side shoots in spring.
Water hyacinth - cultivation
Water hyacinth does not have high requirementsand its cultivation is successful in most ponds. It needs shallow warm waters and a sunny position. The plant will feel great in the garden pond, but for its cultivation, even a small mini pond on a balcony or terrace is enough.
Fertilizing water hyacinthis not necessary, although in fertile water the plant can reach much larger sizes and grows faster. Therefore, if we grow a large-tailed pontoon in a tank with water not rich in nutrients, we can use universal multi-component fertilizers. This will ensure faster growth and nicer color of the leaves.Eichhornia crassipes is not a species particularly susceptible to diseases and pests of aquatic plants.
Water hyacinth, thick-tailed pontoon - Eichhornia crassipes
Fig. Bamyers99, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Water hyacinth in our climatic conditions is an annual plantdue to the complete lack of frost resistance. The reproduction of the water hyacinth is very simple - by dividing the plants. We can easily find pontederia seedlings in garden stores, as it is one of the most popular aquatic plants.
Planting a water hyacinthand introducing it to the garden pond will not cause any problems. Having purchased seedlings, we simply leave the plants on the surface of the water. It is best to do it in spring, after May 15, when the risk of frost has passed. In mid-June, when the water temperature reaches 18 ° C, the plants begin to grow extremely quickly through the rhizomes. The more organic pollutants there are in the reservoir, the more intensively the water hyacinth grows and blooms more abundantly
The role of the water hyacinth cannot be overestimated in the aquatic ecosystem to the uncontrolled growth of algae in the tank. Water hyacinths are therefore great pond plants that purify water. The dense cover of the hyacinth leaves also protects the water from overheating. However, remember to trim excessively expanding pontoons, as they easily choke other aquatic plants growing in the same reservoir.
In tropical countries, pontederia is a nuisance weed that harbors mosquitoes and causes overgrowth of waterways, making it difficult to navigate. Therefore, in the case of a garden pond, it is very importantto control the growth of the water hyacinth The plants removed from the pond can be composted.
Water hyacinth, thick-tailed pontoon - Eichhornia crassipes
Fig. Ted Center, USDA, public domain, source: Wikimedia Commons
Water hyacinth - wintering
Theoreticallya water hyacinth can overwinter in a water reservoir . However, in our climatic conditions it is rather unsuccessful. It is best to harvest the plants in autumn and compost them. Otherwise, they will sink to the bottom and decompose and contaminate the tank.
You can try to overwinter the water hyacinthby keeping a part of the plant in water or burying it in moist peat and placing it in a bright and cool room at a temperature of about 15 ° C. The best wintering conditions for the water hyacine can be obtained by taking the plant to the aquarium at a water temperature of 15 - 21 ° C. However, it must stand in a very visible place, preferably near the south window.Unfortunately, most often the plant dies or becomes infected with diseases of aquatic plants with a fungal basis.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
