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Java Moss and "Noxious Plants"
In a message dated 3/26/00 1:54:22 PM Mountain Standard Time,
Aquatic-Plants-Owner at actwin_com writes:
> <<
> > Last summer, I put some new aquarium plants directly in to my pond.
> > Apparently, what appears to be Java moss was on something, and it has
> taken over. It covers everything. Last summer I was taking it out by
the
> > bucketful and a few days later it would be back. I figured the winter
> cold
> > would take care of it, but it didn't.
> >
> > Also, since I gave some hardy Lilly starts to friends, now their ponds
> are
> > also infested with it. Any help appreciated.
>
> If it is actually Java moss(it probably is), I have a couple of
suggestions-
>
>
> 1) drain the pond, fill it with gasoline, and light it with a VERY long
> match.
>
> 2) fill the pond in and start over at least 35 meters away from the
> original
> site.
>
> 3)Roundout It kills every green thing it gets close to.
>
> 4).... Well, actually, those are the best three I can come up with.
>
> As for your neighbors, I can only suggest that you pray long and hard
that
> God erase their memories of where this blight originated. Failing that
you
>
> can either hire a couple of bodyguards or move out of town.
> ;-)
>
> But seriously, if you can find a type of pond fish that will eat it, it
> doesn't grow very fast. It will, however, always manage to survive in a
> little tiny corner somewhere, and come back again when your fish get fat
> and
> lazy. >>
>
> Well, this stuff grows fast in hot weather. What is the best way to
> positively ID this for sure if it is Java Moss? Can someone send me
> descriptions or any sites online?
> Or if I send them a small sample?
>
> Worse than doing it to a neighbor, I did it to my best friend's two ponds.
> He keeps referring to it as algae and I keep correcting him. Guess I'd
> better keep my mouth shut. :>
Well, folks, maybe those of us upset with new state and feneral regfulations
can learn something from this tale of woe. Java moss comes from a tropical
climate and should die over the winter, but obviously it does well enough to
recover in the spring. Acidental introductions, even into a pond, can lead
to migratory birds like ducks spreading it around town. Now that Chuck has
spread it around his neighborhood, it could easily be dragged off to a nearby
river. From there, who knows? Let's be careful, okay folks?
And Chuck, I don't mean to be picking on you, but this is just too perfect an
example of human carelessness with a non-native species. You certainly
didn't intend to put it into your pond, it just hitched a ride with your
other plants. And now it's all over town.
Live and learn, huh? :-)
Bob Dixon