Blanketweed control | Barley straw a natural cure for pond scum

Blanketweed & Filamentous String Algae Solutions

Since medieval times corn has been thrown into ponds by villagers as part of ceremonies and rituals to ensure the purity of the village water. In more recent times however barley straw has been discovered to contain certain properties that provides a natural algae control method in your fish pond or water garden for filamentous string algae types such as blanketweed (pond scum) and hair algae.

Blanket weed goes under numerous different names including: Blanketweed, Blanket Weed, Pond Scum, String Algae, Stringy Algae, Silk Weed, Filamentous Algae, Curly Weed or Maiden's Hair It is totally different from the common suspended small particle size algae responsible for green or brown murky pond water referred to as Algae Blooms, Algal Blooms, Pea Soup Algae, Planktonic Algae or Green Water.

Research at the IACR Centre for Aquatic Plant Management in Berkshire, England, on the use of  barley straw extract as a natural blanketweed cure in fish ponds and other situations has revealed some interesting facts. Barley straw has been found to be a more effective natural remedy than other straw variants such as:  maize, linseed and wheat. Suspended algae, scientifically known as phytoplankton (green water) has been reduced in ponds using barley straw and so has filamentous string algae such as blanket weed (pond scum) and hair algae. The research carried out by the centre which is part of the IACR (Institute of Arable Crop Research) has stated that barley straw acts as a natural control agent because although it doesn't kill existing algal cells in your fish pond or water garden it prevents future algal cells from developing, therefore controlling the levels of both green algae and filamentous string algal types e.g. blanket weed.

How Barley Straw Treatment provides natural blanketweed control?

Phytoplankton that causes the "pea soup effect" in fish ponds, usually disappears within 6 to 8 weeks after using barley straw (cooler water temperatures below 50 Fahrenheit or 10 Celsius) . In warmer water (above 70 Fahrenheit or 21 Celsius it takes between 1 - 2 weeks. Control of the larger string algae i.e. blanketweed and hair algae can take longer, perhaps a season. The optimum time to apply barley straw to your pond or water garden is early spring.

In order for your garden pond to obtain the maximum benefits from the addition of the barley straw it is essential that the pond is well oxygenated. This allows the barley straw to release lignins which are believed to oxidize and form humic acids. Humic acid along with oxygenated water and sunlight act as a catalyst in the production of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is not capable of surviving in your garden fish pond for long periods of time but because the barley straw can take up to 6 months to decompose there is a constant supply.

Does barley straw adversely affect the pond eco system?

Barley Straw Pond Cleaning: The application of barley straw won't harm plant life or fish, except where too much barley straw is used in too small an area of water. In the same way that it is important to Manage Algae Bloom to prevent your pond water from becoming oxygen deficient, the same applies to the use of barley straw.  Using barley straw as a algicide to remove blanketweed (pond scum) has an added bonus - your koi and goldfish feed on the invertebrates that form around the decomposing barley straw.

Barley Straw BalesBarley Straw For Fish Ponds - Bales

Barley Straw has been used in England for many years. Many pond owners have had success with barley straw in the treatment of string and filamentous algae.

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Summit - Barley Straw pond treatment Summit Barley Straw Pond treatment

A natural algae control method for controlling filamentous string algae types, such as blanketweed. Treats up to 2,000 US gal of pond water

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all-season conditioner boosts pond healthBarley Straw Pellets

Saturated with organic ingredients like peat and humates, and pelletized for sustained release of nutrients. Rich in natural humic acids, it gently softens water, reduces the negative effects of phosphates, chelates, metals like mercury and arsenic. Produces harmless hydrogen peroxide to buffer water pH and prevent black mold.

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Green Ways Barley Pond Strip provides natural algae control for pondsGreen Ways Barley Pond Strip

Green Ways Barley Pond Strip provides natural algae control for ponds.  Made from a matting of barley straw and natural cotton netting, Green Ways Barley Pond Strip has a large surface area allowing easy access of water and oxygen to the barley straw and free release of natural compounds.

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natural Microbe-lift Barley Straw Concentrated ExtractBarley Straw Concentrate

All natural Microbe-lift Barley Straw Concentrated Extract is a liquid concentrate barley straw extract formulated to improve water clarity and to help with natural water ph balance. Especially helpful where bottom drains exist. Goes to work on contact. Decomposition process starts immediately. Not harmful to aquatic life, plants, humans or pets. One bottle is equal to multiple barley straw bales with no messy residual. Can be used all year around.

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