Submerged plants spend their entire lives growing beneath the surface of the water. They are usually called oxygenators. They obtain their nutrients from the water directly through their stems and leaves.
Submerged Plant Soil
Submerged Plant Soil - Step 1
Mix equal parts of humus, sand and sterile potting soil. Add a double portion of dry clay to the mix. This is your base soil for aquatic plants.
Submerged plants, also called oxygenators, are commonly used in large water gardens to clean the water by absorbing excess nutrients, slowing algae growth, and replenishing the oxygen supply. For container gardens, use an aquarium pump.
Submerged Plants / Oxygenating Plants
Submerged plants, also called oxygenating plants, are a vital part of your water pond. Besides the beautiful foliage that many can also can provide oxygen during the daylight hours and remove it at night.
Submerged plants are underwater plants that grow when they are fully immersed. They receive their nutrients from the water through their leaves, rather than through roots.
Submerged plants include Hornwort, Cabomba, Anacharis and Jungle Vall.
Marginal or Bog Plants ...
Place pots of submerged plants on plastic crates to elevate them so that the surface of the soil is about a foot below the water. Fish will be able to swim between the holes in the crate.
Add two bunches of submerged plants, one floating plant, and one or two marsh plants per square yard of water surface to keep algae in check. Plants should cover 60 to 70 percent of the surface.
In addition to water lilies and lotuses, marginal, floating and submerged plants add diversity of form and color to water gardens. Use bog plants such as semi-aquatic iris, papyrus (Cyperus), pickerel weed (Pontederia) and canna along pool edges.
Remove dead and dying foliage regularly and prune back excess growth of submerged plants. Place netting over the pond where practicable as this can help autumn maintenance by keeping leaves and debris from falling in and fouling the water.
Oxygenators
These are submerged plants. You usually buy them with a metal staple holding several stalks together. Don't take the staple off, its weight takes the plants down and keeps them at the bottom of the pond where they belong.
When deciding on pond depth, remember that shallow ponds are quicker to cloud with excess algae. Submerged plants, floating plants, and fish do better in deeper pools. A good, average depth is 18 to 24 inches, possibly deeper in colder climates.
At least twice a week, check your pond for fallen leaves and debris. Deadhead any flowering plants and remove any submerged plants that are dying or dead.
A few fully-submerged plants like Ludwigia natans will oxygenate the water and stop it getting smelly. You could also add some goldfish to keep any wrigglers in check.
 See also: Water, Plant, Algae, Soil, Water garden
  
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