Pike herb, Pontederia: care of A

Pike herb or Pontederia cordata, as the plant is called in botanical jargon, can be found in up to 30 centimeters deep water therefore grows and thrives mainly on the banks of lakes and Ponds. Here the plant fulfills important functions, such as acting against algae. But what do you need to pay attention to when caring for and hibernating, and is the plant poisonous?

The right location

The plant needs a permanently wet soil, but should only stand in a water depth of a maximum of 30 centimeters. Therefore, the plant is ideal for the bank area of ​​the garden pond. It tolerates both full sun and partially shaded locations. Sandy, muddy and nutrient-rich soil should be used as a substrate.

Tip: If you want to prevent the Pontederia cordata from spreading too far, you can also place it in a planter in the pond. This limits the roots and more substrate can be made available to the plant.

When to plant pike herb?

Pontederia cordata should be used when the water surface is no longer likely to freeze over. This is already the case very early in mild regions. Usually a time between March and May is ideal.

care

If the Pontederia cordata is in the water of the garden pond, it does not need to be watered, of course. There is also no need for fertilization, as it is supplied with nutrients by other decomposing plants and possibly the excrement of fish and other pond inhabitants.
If, on the other hand, the herbaceous plant is cultivated in a tub, it must

Attention should be paid to different care steps. These include:

• Keep the substrate wet or at least well moist
• Use soft, lime-free water
• Use fertilizers specifically for pond plants during the growth phase

The fertilization is carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions and depending on the selected fertilizer, but usually every two weeks.

The flowering period of the pike herb

The flowering period of the Pontederia cordata usually falls between June and August. The plant has blue to purple spike-shaped flowers that are reminiscent of lavender and are extremely decorative. In addition to the appealing leaf shape and the practical functions in the pond, it is mainly due to the flowering time that the plant is one of the most popular plants for the garden pond.

Tip: Flowering can be extended if a very sunny and sheltered location is chosen for the plant.

cut

At the end of the growth phase, the above-ground parts of the Pontederia cordata dry up and can then be cut. During the growth, dried, kinked or otherwise damaged parts of the plant should also be removed. This is particularly useful when cultivating in the pond so that the water does not add more nutrients through decomposing parts of the plant.

Wintering Pontederia cordata

Pike herb plants are not hardy and therefore cannot tolerate frost. When the temperatures drop, the plant retreats into the so-called rhizome and the above-ground parts dry up or wither. The following points should be observed for successful wintering:

1. All dried up parts of the plant must be removed. In addition

scissors or a sharp knife should be used. In any case, the chosen pruning tool must be clean in order not to transmit diseases to the crop.

2. Pontederia cordata is taken from the pond with the surrounding substrate. Again, it is practical if it was left in a planter. Otherwise it should now be put in a pot with the rhizome completely covered by soil.

3. The plant is placed in a larger pot, bucket or in an aquarium and covered with soft, lime-free water.

4. Wintering takes place in a frost-free place. Temperatures between 5 and 10 ° C are ideal. Since the pike herb has already retreated into the rhizome, it can also be hibernated in a dark room. Because the plant is not winter hardy, the only decisive factor is that it is frost-free.

5. During winter, care should be taken to ensure that the substrate does not dry out and that it is constantly at least slightly damp. However, it can also be completely covered with water. Watering should only be done with water that has the same temperature as the plant and substrate. It is ideal if it stands in the same room for at least a few hours and can therefore assume the appropriate temperature.

In spring, when the pond is no longer likely to freeze over, the plant can be put back outside in the water. When cultivating in the bucket, you should wait for the last late frosts, as the water surface freezes over much faster in smaller vessels than in a pond.

Multiplication

Pontederia cordata forms a so-called creeping rhizome and also multiplies above it. So further shoots emerge from the root. If the pike weed is to be propagated, these only have to be separated from the mother plant. Proceed as follows:

1. Remove the plant from the water and rinse the substrate from the roots.
2. Divide the rhizome with a sharp, clean knife so that both mother and daughter plants receive as much root mass as possible.
3. Allow the interfaces to air dry for a few hours.
4. Put the now divided plants back into the substrate separately and plant them in the bank area or in the tub.

The best time for propagation has come when the daughter plants are already 10 to 20 centimeters high.
Another way of propagating the pike herb is by planting seeds. However, must

you have to wait much longer until the first young plants appear. The seeds can be harvested after flowering in summer and should be stored in a cool and dry place over autumn and winter. When the plants are ready to be set outdoors, the seeds can also be placed in permanent substrate and grown here.

Tip: The young plants should also be planted directly in a container and not freely placed in the pond, this on the one hand avoids uncontrolled reproduction and on the other hand makes overwintering easier will.

Is pike weed poisonous?

No, neither the leaves nor the seeds of the plant are poisonous. Therefore, the plant is also suitable for the pond or bucket when children and pets use the garden to play and can accidentally tear off parts of the plant. In fact, the leaves and seeds of the Pontederia cordata are even edible, so the plant can be cultivated without hesitation.

Functions in the pond

The pike herb is not only extremely decorative due to its leaves and flowers, but also fulfills important functions in the garden pond. For example:

Effect against algae
Since the plant removes nutrients from the water, it acts against algae or at least can reduce their spread.

Hideouts for pond dwellers
The stems and leaves of the plant offer hiding places for pond dwellers on the one hand, and they are also possible spawning grounds on the other. This offers protection to the living beings in the garden pond.

Fortification of the bank area
The substrate is attached to the bank area by the creeping rhizome. However, this only applies if the plant is not cultivated in a container.

Pests and diseases

Neither diseases nor pests have to be expected with the plant, because it is very robust and insensitive to infestation or infection. The only potential problem is found in aphids, which can cause damage to the leaves and stems. To combat this, on the one hand, means from the specialist trade can be used. However, a natural alternative is found in predators such as ladybirds. These do not damage the plants and do not pose a risk to the water in the garden pond, but they can also be bought in specialist shops and used in a targeted manner.
In addition, it should be ensured that the plant is not hardy.