In the recent past weeks I've had to add about 2 inches of water to the big pond each week. I redid one hose junction to the upper waterfall ( it was slightly leaking ). Water level is still dropping. I noticed today that the water hyacinth are HUGE. The pond has got coverage at about 80% at least and they're tall, large broad leafed. In my 50 gal. skippy pond, you can't even SEE the structure because of the plants. Water temp. has been staying steady this week at 60F.
Will trimming the root systems kill the plants? There quite long and I'm afraid restricting the fish.

Normally, goldfish and koi pick on the roots so they aren't that long. You can trim the roots if you want. Too much can kill them. They filter better with longer roots. Do you live in an area with real winters? If so, the hyacinth will start to die off soon, and you'll have to start tossing them anyway. When my pond was heavily covered in water hyacinth, I noticed a faster loss of water. I think the hyacinth use a good amount of water themselves.

I've never lived anywhere else so I say, yes- real winters. lol Frost was mentioned in the weather reports for this week, and last nite went down to 40F. Most of the time we're about 5-10 degrees warmer than Boston ( we're in a Valley), but we've still gone down to zero during our winters. Other than the leaves IN the waterfall, the hyacinth leaves have become about 4 inch wide on an average. I have to literally move them out of the way to feed the fish.

Ok, well as soon as the first real frost hits, the hyacinth will be killed off then. Normally this time of year, my hyacinth cover almost ever inch of the pond as well but not this year. The few suriviving plants are discolored and small. I don't know why this year is not like the past ones.

This past week the average nite temp has been 45F. The pond has been staying between 52-54F. My hyacinths are STILL growing, spreading and getting new leaves. My hardy water lily is the ONLY one that is starting to die off. My tall purple spikey plant has lost about 6 leaf branches, but it also is growing 4 new ones still under the surface. And my iris is leveling off from a growth spurt. I thought this was Fall. I was able to bring in about 20 more baby snails.lol

Happy Thanksgiving for all you Canadians out there...

Well my hyacinths are growing like there is no tomorrow. On a weekly basis I have to pull some out. My water lettuce is still spreading too. I have 4 pots of water irises (?) and they are huge. I'm in Cambridge Ontario & it seems we've having a mild fall but the temperature should drop soon.

Thanks for noting the hyacinths use up a lot of water, I though it may have had to do with the rock shifting and/or leaves collecting in my stream to the waterfall (which does happen).

tiia :D

I just discovered a use for hyacinths and lettuce when you take them out of the pond, instead of just for compost. I gave some to my peacock and he just loves them. I am sure they would also make good food for rabbits and goats, but maybe you are already doing that. They are so green, they must be full of nutrients.