Question
QUESTION: Dear sirs,

I am currently residing in Walnut Cove, NC growing zone 7. I would like to add a small pond to the back corner of my bog. Since this portion of my bog does to tend to flood for a couple of hours after a heavy rain, I figure this is a good solution. It will hold between 10-20 gallons of water. Is this enough water for most aquatic bladderworts and is there anything I should know before trying to grow these? I might even try aldrovanda in time. Any advice you have would be great.

Thanks,

Daniel

ANSWER: Hi Daniel,

I've found over the years the trick to growing aquatics is stable water conditions.  I've found what you often read in places about being able to grow them in any bucket of water has never been the case in my experience.  You want acidic conditions (which your bog would create) with aeration and a stable biological system.  In essence it's like setting up an aquarium.  We've had the best luck with the aquatics when we have circulation/aeration such as from an undergravel filter, or water circulation.  Just like an aquarium you need to give it about a month to stablize and give the organisms time to reach a homeostasis.  Doing this will help help keep algae at bay since you will have lots of protozoan to eat it.  If you can introduce some clean water from a natural pond (try to keep out any duckweed or Azolla) you get some of the good bacteria and protozoan.  If it's from a pond that already has Utricularia, even better.  Those protozoan will also provide food for hungry Utriculara and Aldrovonda.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So then would it be harmful to the plants by letting the pond water be at rest most of the time? Should I add a waterfall or drainage system to freshen it up every now and then?

Answer
Hi Daniel,

You need oxygenation.  A waterfall, a fountain, or a biological filter of some kind.  They make all sorts of things for ponds like this.  The movement helps beneficial bacteria to colonize which in turn benefits the protozoan you need to keep algae down and feed the carnivorous plants.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com