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PostPosted: Sat May 17, 2014 4:22 pm 
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List,

Our subdivision here slightly north of Tulsa, OK has a about a 1/2 acre pond on one side of it that we are trying to manage. The pond is somewhat teardrop shaped. With rain, water comes into the pond at the teardrop tip and exits at a dam on the bottom side.

Approximately 2 weeks ago, in my 1st attempt to get a handle on the extreme amount of "algae" in it, I placed 2 10lb nylon stockings full of ground corn meal, one on each side of the pond, at approximately 1/3 down the teardrop shape. (I did this thinking natural water flow would help distribute the corn meal into the body of the pond also. The amount I used was lite since I did not want to cause a fish kill.)

There's one other issue with the pond that is a "major concern" to some of the association members here. Water Primrose is spreading along the banks of the pond. I've noticed it seems to be most willing to grow where ever the floating algae is. I'm still trying to determine if one comes before the other.

Today I looked and could see no visual indication of any "algae" die off. Here's my list of questions... :|

1) Is "horticultural corn meal" more effective on only a specific bread of "algae" perhaps?
(Our pond has "algae" growing under and above the surface)

2) Is corn meal more effective during any particular season?

3) How soon can someone expect to see results with the corn meal if used in the spring?

4) How often should the corn meal be replaced once/if determined effective?

5) Aside from 20% acidic vinegar, (Which I plan to try once the Primrose spreads a bit more) does anyone know of anything else, aside from mechanical removal, that might be effective on the Primrose?

Thanks in advance...


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PostPosted: Fri May 23, 2014 8:35 am 
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List,

I have an update on the situation regarding the neighborhood pond...

Yesterday the association purchased and placed into the pond, 10 algae eating fish. So, on a whim I thought I should recheck the 2 10lb stockings of ground cornmeal I had placed in the pond about 3 weeks ago now. Much to my surprise, almost every bit of the cornmeal was gone! The stockings had many holes in them. Some large some small. Apparently about all I had achieved was feeding turtles or fish.

This being the case, I would like to reattempt a slower release, better protected, reapplication of the cornmeal. I am still looking for a reply from anyone that has had actual experience using the "horticultural cornmeal" (...fully ground cornmeal). If you have any suggestions or an answer to any of my above questions, or know how to better guard it from veracious eaters please advise. Thanks in advance.


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PostPosted: Sat May 24, 2014 1:18 pm 
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Horticultural corn meal isn't "fully ground" (as in the entire dried kernal ground) it is a by-product, the proteins left behind when other things are used from the corn.

Are you sure it's algae, or is it duck weed? Tiny little green leaves on the surface.

Duckweed:

Image

One type of algae:

Image

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PostPosted: Mon May 26, 2014 5:57 pm 
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Thanks NW,

I bought the product I used from Rode's Nursery in Garland, TX. I informed the store owner what I intended to do with it. He sold me fully ground corn meal, ..I thought. (Green Sense "corn meal") I've also copied this sentence from the library here at DD.com....

"Cornmeal from the grocery store (unless whole ground) is just the starchy endosperm of the corn kernel and not as effective".

I understood the above to imply that "whole ground" is the entire corn kernel ground up to make "horticultural corn meal". Am I missing something?

It's definitely algae on top as well as in the water. (Looks just like your 2nd pic)


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PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2014 7:31 am 
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I misspoke in that I described corn gluten meal. I do think Howard has recommended the cornmeal, not the corn gluten meal.

Pond Algae Control

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