Duckweed

A

Andrew H

Member
Does anyone have any experience introducing duckweed to a beaver pond? I have a beaver pond that is roughly 240 yards x 200 yards, and I would like to improve it as a waterfowl habitat. I have no way of controlling the water levels, so planting rooted plants like millet, etc. is out of the question. The pond ranges from waste deep 30 yards from shore to over-head in parts. I am located in Virginia.

My primary questions are:

1. When is the best time to introduce duckweed? I assume duckweeed should be introduced in the early spring, but I'm not sure. Am I wasting time if I introduce it now?

2. How much duckweed do I need for a pond that size? I have read that duckweed reproduces quickly, but I don't know if that means introduce a cup full and much of the pond should be covered a year later, etc.

3. I am also taking into consideration any negative ecological impacts as well. I know duckweed can takeover a body of water. So I would appreciate any thoughts there as well.

Here is a picture of the pond.

Pond.jpg



Thanks in advance.
 
I assume you are talking about Lemna minor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemna_minor

First, make sure which specis is native to your area. Dont transplant non-native species!
Next, make sure it is legal to introduce aquatic plants into waters of the state in your state.

Be careful: Duckweed, as you noted, while native, can be extremely invasive and completely cover a whole pond in a matter of weeks. It reproduces asexually and can literally double in a couple of days, which leads to exponential population growth in the right (or wrong) situation. This may nor may not be an issue in your pond, depending on light levels, water quality, current etc...

If conditions are right, it wont take much to get it started, maybe a 1/4 bucket full. Better to wait until spring.
 
Ringnecks love hydrilla!
Actually, we have very little hydrilla over here, it doesnt like saltwaterr.
But we have tons of milfoil and ducks love it. it is also highly productive juvenile fish habitat.
 
If duckweed completely covers the pond, it can cut off all light that penetrates the water...killing all algae. That also means it can eliminate all oxygen in there and that of course can kill your fish if you fish the pond. Research actually shows that for the most part wild ducks do not eat duckweed. It sticks to their feet and gets transported from one pond to the next and that is where it got its name. They will mill around in it and look like they are feeding in it, but are actually feeding on the small insects just below the surface clinging to the duckweed. It can be a valuable food source and domestic ducks will eat the stuff...but wild ducks won't select going to a pond just because it has the plant growing in it. You would be better off finding a different plant like smart weed and getting that established around the shoreline. A good number of oaks around the pond edge can also be very productive.
 
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