The Lemnaceae plant, commonly referred to as duckweed, is an aquatic plant that grows on the surface of ponds and rivers. Duckweed has a high protein content and is a popular feed for waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, as well as various fish species. It is also easy to grow and can quickly become established in an aquarium or freshwater pond. Grow duckweed at home to take advantage of its feed benefits.
Instructions
1. Collect duckweed plants from a nearby body of water, such as a neighborhood lake or a friend's pond. Collect three to four clumps of duckweed, spanning 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Wrap in moist paper towels and take home. If you cannot find wild duckweed, it can often be purchased from pond supply stores, nurseries or pet shops.
2. Disinfect the duckweed plants if you harvested them from the wild. (If you bought duckweed from a nursery or pet shop, skip to Step 3.) Dissolve a teaspoon of potassium permanganate into 12 gallons of water in a large plastic tub or container. Potassium permanganate can be obtained from most pond supply stores. Immerse the wild duckweed into the solution for 30 seconds to kill bacteria and aquatic pests. Remove the duckweed and immerse in a bucket of fresh water for 30 minutes.
3. Fill a plastic tray with water. The tray should be at least 12-inches deep. Add pond plant food to boost the water's vitamin and mineral content to support plant life. Follow the product's manufacturer's guidelines, as the potency of each product varies. For best results, use a product that incorporates chelated iron as duckweed consumes a large amount of this nutrient. Examples of products include AgSafe's Aquatic Tabs, Aquarium Pharmaceuticals' Pond Plant Food Tabs or Jungle Laboratories' Pond Aqua Plant Food.
4. Release the duckweed onto the surface of the water. Place the tray in direct sunlight for optimum growth, with 10 hours of sunlight or more promoting desirable growth results. If sufficient sunlight is not available, place the tray under a fluorescent light fixtures hung 15 inches above the plants.
5. Prune back the duckweed to remove broken, yellow or wilted leaves and branches. Allow the duckweed to grow undisturbed. Replace the water in the tray weekly, replenishing it with fresh water and plant fertilizer.
6. Feed the duckweed to your fish or waterfowl. The amount you use varies on the fish or waterfowl species. Typically, hobbyists incorporate duckweed as up to 50 per cent of the total feed mixture or as a simple nutritious snack or supplement. Trim off a branch of duckweed and place it in a fish tank or give it to your waterfowl.
Tags: duckweed plants, fish waterfowl, fresh water, pond supply, pond supply stores, supply stores
