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The Water Garden - Floating Aquatics |
 A quatic plants which float on the surface are not seen so
frequently as they deserve. Although they are often
thought to be unessential they are in fact of great importance
both to the pond owner and aquarist. One of their most useful
functions is to cast shade, a real need where fish are present,
while they check the growth of algae which can become a great
nuisance and disfigurement in ponds and pools of all sizes.
Green water as it is sometimes called, is caused by extremely
large numbers of minute plants which live in the water and
feed on the dissolved mineral salts. Since they can only thrive
and multiply where there is plenty of light, anything which
casts shade will check their development.
In addition to their value in keeping down algae, many
floating plants are of attractive appearance, and in aquariums
it is not at all unusual for fish to make their nests among the
leaves.
In the aquarium, too, floating aquatics assist with aeration
by holding the bubbles of oxygen emitted during the day from
submerged oxygenators and these bubbles may be held long
enough to become available to the fish during the night and
until they are gradually absorbed into the water.
No special instructions are needed for floating aquatics, they
can be moved at almost any time of the year and are simply
dropped on to the surface. They become a constant source of
attraction and need very little attention after being introduced
into the water, beyond occasional thinning out, which is best
done drastically from time to time.
Outdoors, the majority of floating plants succeed best in
shallow water at the margins of the pool where the water
quickly warms up during sunny days and the roots can grow
in the mud beneath. This is by no means essential and there
are some plants which are happier in deep water near the
centre of the pool.
Floating plants must never be allowed to entirely carpet the
pond, as this excludes the warming influence of the sun, thus
hindering the normal growth of the water-lilies and other
plants. We can only refer to a limited number of floating
plants and it will be easier to mention them alphabetically
rather than attempt to give them in order of merit.
The azollas are dainty plants with the common English
name of Fairy Floating Moss which is quite appropriate. This
plant soon becomes established, providing a green moss-like
carpet. Towards the autumn, this foliage takes on some
delightful red tints. In late autumn or early winter the foliage
dies away but is renewed the following spring. Some
gardeners secure a small quantity of azolla and winter it in-
doors, but this is only necessary in exposed and very cold
positions.
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