water lettuce & large pond

[id10t]

My mom has a 3-4 acre pond on her property. Not realising it would spread, she put water lettuce in there 8 years ago. Needless to say, it went wild and went everywhere. At one point it looked as if you could walk across the pond - even though it was still 12-14 feet deep. 2 years ago it was poisioned - not sure with what, but it didn't cause a fish kill so I didn't really care (pond record fish is a 14lb bass a friend of mine caught in '76, and I pull one out pushing 10lbs every couple of years).

Now the water lettuce is growing back. What can I do to keep it "in control". I don't mind small rafts of it, as long as most of the pond surface is clear. We've had triploid carp and they didn't help, and we've tried physical removal (too much effort for no return), and I don't want to poison it again.

Any suggestions on early treatment, long term control, someone to contact, etc. would be appreciated. We're in N. Florida if it matters.

Thanks!

[shovelnose]

Turtles love that stuff

[rayman45]

bingo

[id10t]

There is a population of turtles in the pond (including an alligator snapper or three) but I've never seen *anything* eat the stuff...

I'm thinking that while there isn't that much of it that it is time to do the physical removal again.

[shovelnose]

Well you can throw some in a box and mail it us who don't feel like paying $3.00 a plant for it. :)

[redtailfool]

Some snails might help but then again you might end up with overpopulated with snails which is worse than your original problem.

[rayman45]

ill take some
i got a frt who eats like a cow

[guesswho2005]

My mom has a 3-4 acre pond on her property. Not realising it would spread, she put water lettuce in there 8 years ago. Needless to say, it went wild and went everywhere. At one point it looked as if you could walk across the pond - even though it was still 12-14 feet deep. 2 years ago it was poisioned - not sure with what, but it didn't cause a fish kill so I didn't really care (pond record fish is a 14lb bass a friend of mine caught in '76, and I pull one out pushing 10lbs every couple of years).

Now the water lettuce is growing back. What can I do to keep it "in control". I don't mind small rafts of it, as long as most of the pond surface is clear. We've had triploid carp and they didn't help, and we've tried physical removal (too much effort for no return), and I don't want to poison it again.

Any suggestions on early treatment, long term control, someone to contact, etc. would be appreciated. We're in N. Florida if it matters.

Thanks!


man same here we pay out the ass for one three inch plant....sell it on ebay overnight and they pay all expenses. let us know what you want for a plant I'll buy some for sure.......

[rayman45]

**** i take a few depending on price

[Crisroom]

Put me on the buy list.

[softturtle]

sounds like you found yourself a new trade: watter lettuce removal/sale!

[DeLgAdO]

get one of these

[fote03]

I will take some. i'm in g-ville

[cjohll]

i found this site http://www.iisgcp.org/EXOTICSP/waterlettuce.htm