Soil for replanting pond plants

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by Gizmo, May 14, 2022.

  1. Gizmo

    Gizmo Gardener

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2020
    Messages:
    704
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +849
    Hi I would like some advice about replanting pond plants into bigger pots ..can anyone advise on which soil would be best to use thanks for your advice
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    47,724
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +84,392
    You can buy pond plant compost, or I always just used some garden soil with the stones taken out.
    Best if its not got any organic matter and a bit clayey.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • ricky101

      ricky101 Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jun 15, 2016
      Messages:
      3,273
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Sheffield
      Ratings:
      +4,184
      As @pete says you can buy 'proper' Aquatic Compost, but see little point as it just soil with minimal nutrients so it does not put loads of nitrate etc in to the water which encourage algae.

      That kind of gives you the clue that any type of soil / medium does not really do anything for the plant other than hold it down.

      We would just place your plant into its new aquatic basket or pot with some small horticultural gravel or pea gravel around the empty spaces.

      When potting on, its a good time to see if you can take off any small pieces of the main plant and pot that up to hopefully produce another good plant this summer.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Gizmo

        Gizmo Gardener

        Joined:
        Sep 19, 2020
        Messages:
        704
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +849
        Thanks for your advice ...I did try some pond soil but after putting the plants back into the pond the soil went on top of the pond ..I have tried to get floating soil out of pond with a net but now colour of water looks black so at the moment unsure best way forward apart from emptying the pond
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        47,724
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +84,392
        @Gizmo .
        If you do use soil the usual way of doing it is pot the plant in a basket, you then top it off with a 1in layer of pea shingle, or similar, just don't use anything sharp.

        You then water it throughly before carefully lowering into the pond.
        If the compost is in the slightest dry it will float.

        The floating soil should settle eventually, I wouldn't empty the pond.
         
        • Informative Informative x 1
        • Gizmo

          Gizmo Gardener

          Joined:
          Sep 19, 2020
          Messages:
          704
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +849
          This is what the pond is like now can't see alot
          20220515_100547.jpg
           
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          47,724
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +84,392
          That's nothing compared to mine.

          If you want a sterile environment wildlife ponds are not for you. :smile:
           
          • Informative Informative x 1
          • Gizmo

            Gizmo Gardener

            Joined:
            Sep 19, 2020
            Messages:
            704
            Gender:
            Male
            Ratings:
            +849
            I don't expect crystal clear water but it was alot clearer before I put in the new soil ....

            Thinking about adding shelves to our wooden pond as well for different plants but have concerns how to put in shelves on the in side of wooden wall ...
             
            • Informative Informative x 1
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              47,724
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +84,392
              Well whatever you do don't screw through the liners to fix the shelves. :biggrin:
               
            • Gizmo

              Gizmo Gardener

              Joined:
              Sep 19, 2020
              Messages:
              704
              Gender:
              Male
              Ratings:
              +849
              mmmm i was thinking of shelves under the liners but concerns over edges going through the liners .. not sure if they do plastic shelves that you could use ,
              our pond is approx 29 inch high and the only shelves are at ground level or just below ground level nothing above 29inch from ground to top of pond its just a straight wall of timber
               
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              47,724
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +84,392
              So are thinking of draining the whole pond and taking the liner out in order to do this?
               
              • Friendly Friendly x 1
              • Gizmo

                Gizmo Gardener

                Joined:
                Sep 19, 2020
                Messages:
                704
                Gender:
                Male
                Ratings:
                +849
                Unsure what to do really or how to solve it ...the pond is 6f x 5f ..no shelves really only the one in the bottom of the pond
                 
              • ricky101

                ricky101 Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Jun 15, 2016
                Messages:
                3,273
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Sheffield
                Ratings:
                +4,184
                As @pete says the pond will clear in time, though you will probablhave to change /clean the filters more often until things settle.

                You cannot do anything to add shelves to the existing structure short of fitting a new liner.

                The easier way would be to use something like these baskets filled with bricks or pea gravel so they give you the height you want. Always place something under the basket so you do not puncture the liner.

                001158.jpg
                 
                • Agree Agree x 2
                • Like Like x 1
                • Gizmo

                  Gizmo Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Sep 19, 2020
                  Messages:
                  704
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Ratings:
                  +849
                  thanks for your replys i dont think i can add baskets into pond to lift plants up to the level they need example 2 inches of water as the orignal shelf i dont think its wide enough so the baskets would be more in the middle than the edge
                   

                  Attached Files:

                • ricky101

                  ricky101 Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 15, 2016
                  Messages:
                  3,273
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Sheffield
                  Ratings:
                  +4,184
                  Could you use house bricks or slightly smaller paving blocks.

                  Using some thin plastic coated or galvanised wire , or all plastic long cable ties, that you could fasten to the plants pot at 2 or 3 points then hang it to a hook screwed to the underside of the top decking board ?
                   
                  • Informative Informative x 1
                  Loading...

                  Share This Page

                  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                    Dismiss Notice