Duck Weed -Our Old Friend

[gwand]

Food and fuel that farms itself: Genome sequences of five duckweed species reveal basis for unique plant traits

Under the right conditions, duckweed essentially farms itself. Wastewater, ponds, puddles, swamps—you name it. If there's enough sunlight and carbon dioxide, the aquatic plant can grow freely. But that's not all that makes it intriguing. Packed inside duckweed's tiny fronds is enormous potential...

phys.org

 

[GaryE]

It's getting really hard to hate things. Life is simply amazing, even if it's not necessarily welcome in your fishtank. I'm plagued by duckweed, and remove pounds of it every 2 weeks. I compost some, and add some to plant pots. My late turtles used to feed on it, for 40 years or so.

But it is interesting. It can be a test kit, if you come to understand what differing root lengths have to say, and for some fish, it's great food.

I hate pond snails, but respect them. Parasites are wondrous creatures. Bacteria? We live in THEIR world. Fungus? Beyond cool.

I never looked at these things til I allowed myself to drift into the world of aquarium science.

 

[Innesfan]

I've always kept at least one large tank of goldfish. Aside from enjoying them, they are my duckweed-control team. And they love the stuff.

 

[MaloK]

I had floating plants in the past...

For me they are all always farming their selves... I left a 5 gallons go 8 months and there was only 5 inch left of space in the bottom. I had to cut cut and cut.

With slow normal plants I pulled a couple leaves in the last year.