Author: Richard Wheeler

Common pests, and invasives

Azolla caroliniana (fairy moss, waterfern or mosquito fern) is a non native invasive. This tiny plant spreads via spores which are very difficult to see with the naked eye. If found removed from water. and leave it to completely dry out and die, Away from other water sources. Once dead either compost or dispose of appropriately. Ensure used waterlily tubs are stacked in a dry area upside down.

Lemna (duckweed) there are a few varieties of duckweed, all of which can pose issues if left untreated. Remove affected stock from tables. Net the water surface multiple times until clear. This may need to be repeated over the course of a few days. Rinse display equipment. Keep dry over winter.

Mimulus luteus (monkey musk) grows very rapidly and has a quick flower to seed cycle. Seeds are very small and dispersed via the wind. If mimulus is left untreated it can cause a wide spread issue. Remove plant from products and display areas. Aphids. We do not recommend the use of chemicals to control aphid instead brush off the affect area regularly. Although a pest they are vital to biodiversity.

Elophila nymphaeata (china mark moth) causes damage to the waterlily pad by cutting out a section and cocooning themselves on the underside on the pad. To treat this remove affected leaf and dispose of the larvae. Algae. Manual removal is always recommended; use rain water to fill tanks if possible and never add fertilisers which encourage algae growth.

Aquatic plant husbandry and maintenance of display areas.
Key answers to common questions.
Tips on the best practices to maximise sales.
Advise on how to identify, treat and contain pests and invasives.
Early season advice
Start fresh. Old stock can make a display look tired and run down. If the stock is saleable give it a clean and put back in the benches. Otherwise skip it. Ensure you are stocking the correct plants, on weekly availability list look out for the green 1’s under quality and stocking priority, this indicates all the best selling varieties and current quality. Ensure tables and posters are clean and up to standard.
In season
Plants are always changing due to many factors; light, heat and water levels so spend 30 minuets 1 hour a week maintaining the stock, follow the advice in the book. Be sure to stock the correct ratio of plants. Marginals (9cm+18cm) %40. Oxygenators (11cm+18cm+tubs) %20 Waterlilies (11cm+18cm) %20. Mixed baskets (contours and floating islands) %20. It is advised to stock the larger 18cm products in season offering customers instant impact.
Labels have lots of information or consult our website www.beaverplants.co.uk or www.pondtrends.co.uk

Marginals

‘Soft’ marginals grow quickly and can benefit from being pruned. Cut plants back when over grown or to maintain aesthetic . Once cut these plants will regenerate fairly quickly. ‘Hard’ marginals are slow growing and only brown or dead leaves need cutting. They can regenerate after a hard cut back but it is recommended to allow them to grow through the season.

Irises can grow tall, if pruning is needed only cut where leaf has been broken or bent. If a hard prune is required do not cut below the point where the leaves begin to separate . In early spring cut all browning and dead foliage to allow light to reach the new shoots emerging. Dead-head spent flowers to maintain aesthetic. Ensure roots have access to plenty of water.

Reeds and rushes are usually firm and can grow large and tall. Carex,juncus and the like can be cut to maintain their aesthetic during the season. In Early spring cut back all brown and dead foliage to allow new growth space and light. Ensure roots are touching water.

Plants in zone 1 require less water than marginals or oxygenators. Ensure they are moist but not sitting in lots of water. This can cause the roots to rot. Cut back brown or dead foliage to maintain their aesthetic. Dead-head any spent flowers, in some cases encouraging more flowers.

Display maintenance

Over time tables can crack or leak and it is important to repair this as soon as it becomes an issue. If left these leaks will cause plants to dry out on tables and die. Or stock will need constant watering and will be wasted.

As tables are usually in direct sunlight for prolonged periods, it can cause trays and plastics to become brittle so move them with care. The sunlight can cause a build up algae on trays we always recommend changing the water and scrubbing the trays clean without the use of chemicals.

POS should be clean and serviceable. If broken or faded contact us and we can help. The ground should be weed free and swept regularly. A clean display area creates a professional setting and encourages sales.

Trays and tubs are reusable to Beaver do not dispose of them. Instead collect the trays away from the public in a dry area and store waterlily tubs upside down keeping them dry.

Mixed Baskets

Standard contours will have 3 varieties per pasket Mix A: Acorus gramineus ‘ogon’, Mazus reptans blue, Lobelia cardinalis. Mix B: Acorus gramineus, Lysimachia num. ‘Aurea’ Juncus eff. ‘Spiralis’. Keep the bottom of the basket wet and cut back to keep tidy and trim. These baskets offer colour ground/water surface cover and textural interest. Acorus is lightly sweet scented too.

Premium contours will have 4 varieties. Mix A; Acorus gramineus ‘ogon’, Mazus reptans white, Equisetum Japonicum, Houttuynia ‘Chameleon’. Mix B: Lobelia cardinalis, Acorus gramineus ‘ogon’, Mazus reptans Blue, juncus eff. ‘Spiralis’. These baskets offer colour ground/water surface cover and textural interest.

Floating islands. Also have 3 varieties. Mix A: Juncus eff. ‘spiralis, Lobelia cardinalis, Mazus reptans blue. Mix B: Acorus gramineus. Ideally have them floating in water so customers can see the product. Remove any algae caught on the basket or ring. Cut back browning or dead foliage as needed. Ensure plants have access to water as all times. Keep water clean and free from invasives and pests.

The soft green varieties will always grow faster so it is important to maintain mixed baskets. Never be afraid to cut back these faster growing plants as it will encourage fresh growth and extend the shelf life of the product. Ensure all plants are healthy and getting enough light and space to thrive.

Soft
Caltha pal. 'Multiplex'
Caltha palustris
Caltha palustris 'Alba'
Caltha palustris 'Multiplex'
Gratiola officinalis
Houttuynia cordata
Houttuynia c. ‘Chameleon’
Hypericum elodes
Lobelia cardinalis
Lobelia ‘Queen Victoria’
Lysimachia nummularia
Lysimachia num. 'Aurea'
Mazus reptans blue
Mazus reptans white
Mentha aquatica
Mentha pulegium
Myosotis palustris
Myosotis palustris 'Alba'
Oenanthe fist. 'Flamingo'
Preslia cervina
Preslia cervina 'Alba'
Ranunculus flammula
Ranunculus lingua
Saururus cernuus
Veronica beccabunga

Iris
Iris L. ‘Ann Chowning’
Iris L. ’ Black Gamecock’
Iris kaempferi
Iris kaempferi 'Var.'
Iris laevigata ‘Pink Queen’
Iris pseudacorus
Iris pseudacorus ‘Alba’
Iris pseudacorus ‘Blue’
Iris pseudacorus 'Var.'
Iris setosa
Iris sibirica ‘Not QuiteWhite’
Iris versicolor

Hard
Acorus calamus gramineus
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'
Anemopsis californica
Butomus umbellatus
Colocasia esculenta
Colocasia ‘Kona Coffee’
Cyperus percamenthus
Equisetum japonicum
Eriophorum angustifolium
Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'
Menyanthes trifoliata
Mimulus ringens
Polygonum amphibium
Pontederia cor lanceolata
Pontederia cordata
Pontederia cordata 'Alba'
Rumex sanguinea
Sagittaria graminea
Sagittaria sagittifolia
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Zantedeschia aethiopica pink

Pondside
Bletilla striata
Canna ‘Carmen’
Canna ‘Julia’
Carex panacea
Equisetum scirpoides
Fritillaria meleagris
Geum rivale
Imperata ‘Red Baron’
Iris setosa
Lobelia siphilitica
Lobelia siphilitica Alba
Lychnis flos-cuculi
Primula ‘Rosea’
Primula vialii

Pondside
Schizosylis coccinea ‘Mrs Hegarty’
Schizosylis coccinea ‘Major’
Thulbachia violance
Zephyranthes candida

Reeds & Rushes
Acorus calamus
Acorus calamus 'Variegata.'
Alisma plantago-aquatica
Carex muskingumensis
Carex pendula
Carex riparia
Cyperus alternifolius
Glyceria maxima ‘Variegata’
Juncus inflexus
Lythrum salicaria
Phalaris arundinaea 'Picta'
Scirpus tab. 'Zebrinus'
Sparganium erectum
Thalia dealbata
Typha angustifolia
Typha lat. 'Variegata'
Typha minima

Oxygenators

Oxygenators are a key to the balance of a ponds ecosystem. Using excess nutrients in the water these plants aid in the prevention of unwanted algae and pond stagnation, help to maintain healthy pH levels all while providing shelter for wildlife and breathing oxygen back into the water. These plants are key in any pond

Emerging oxygenators sit below the surface and emerge above the water. Offering texture whilst functional. These kinds of oxys can be cut back as required (Hippuris, Myriophyllum, Rotala) as they grow they produce new shoots where cut or from root systems. Scirpus cernuus should sit above the water. Cut back to maintain the aesthetic.

Low growing/rafting oxys like Anagallis, Bacopa, Hottonia, Hydrocotyles and Lilaeopsis can be submerged completely to a maximum depth of 8-10 inches, some will eventually raft onto the surface of the water providing flowers. In display benches provide as much water as possible. These plants should only be cut to manage the size or maintain aesthetic.

Water changes may be required to keep tubbed oxygenators fresh and increase shelf life. Display them in bright areas but not in direct sunlight. Customers simply empty the contents of the tub directly into the pond as they sink to the bottom of a pond and take hold, Providing shelter for wildlife in the pond whilst contributing to the purity and clarity of the water.

Waterlilies/Deep Water/Floating tubs

The tubs provided with water lilies are key to their husbandry. Always ensure tubs are full of clean water if water becomes cloudy or dirty, drain and refill. If Algae builds up within the tub, remove stock and scrub tubs without chemicals. Removes algae from affected stock being careful not to break pads or stems. Keep used tubs dry and stacked upside down.

Waterlily pads can die off, it is important to remove brown or yellowing pads to keep tubs clean and maintain the products aesthetic. Spent flowers can be dead headed to encourage more flowers. If pads become damaged they can be removed as needed. If water or dirt splashes onto pads be sure to rinse in the water as this can cause leaves to scorch in the sun. Display waterlilies in full sun.

Deep water plants are very similar in maintenance and husbandry to waterlilies, but will tolerate more shade. Keep submerged in clean water and cut back any damaged or spent foliage and flowers. Refresh water if dirty or if any signs of invasives.

Floating tubs are easy. Refresh any dirty water and display in a bright area but not in direct sunlight as the lids can magnify light and burn the plants causing them to rot. Remove any dead or brown leaves. Remove lid occasionally to allow fresh air in reducing the likelihood of botrytis

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