Plants are extremely important to the health of a small fishpond or water garden. They help maintain water quality by feeding on excess nutrients and inhibiting algae. They may also provide food, shade, and hiding places for aquatic life. There are a few different ways to take advantage of green taro as a veggie filter in a small pond or water garden.
Green Taro Characteristics
Green taro originated in tropical Southeastern Asia, and is sometimes referred to as "elephant ear." Generally, taro prefers warm climates, but can be wintered indoors in cooler areas. The long stalks shoot "pups" which can be cut and planted in soil or in shallow water. Green taro needs generous time in the sun. It is not inclined toward any particular diseases or parasites.
Where to Plant
Green taro planted around the border of a pond will soon shoot "pups" which will land in the water, creating a sturdy, wind-proof "veggie filter" for your pond. Be warned that green taro has a tendency to spread, and you may need to cut back your roots and your stalks frequently. Alternatively, stalks can be anchored in a submerged pot. Either way, the leaves need to be above water, as submerged leaves will quickly die. When in water, roots can float freely in the pond, or be buried in the sediment at the pond's bottom.
An Easy Veggie Filter
One sure way to get the most from your green taro veggie filter is to construct a simple waterfall out of some green taro cuttings, a flowerpot, river rocks, and an outflow tube attached to a pump. Find a large flowerpot with a hole in the bottom . Thread the outflow tube up through the flowerpot. Fill the flowerpot with river rocks and stick green taro cuttings securely into the river rocks. Within weeks, the roots will spread around the river rocks and fill the pot. The flowerpot full of rock and green taro can sit on a stand in the center of the pond, allowing water to spill out around the pot and into the pond, or else the pot can be secured at a tilt over the side of the pond in such a way that the water flows up over the rocks and roots of the green taro before spilling into the water garden. The water is filtered as it passes through the taro roots, and oxygenated as it falls from the pot into the pond.
 |
 |
