I am a beginner who needs a little help. I had a pond with just fish for a while, but I have recently added water hyacinths. I want to know if I should pinch off or otherwise prune the parts that seem to be rotting. Also, should I separate the new growth or will the plant do that on its own? I have done an internet search but cannot seem to find anything on this. No one seems worried about care, more about how to prevent this plant from spreading inappropriately. (Believe me, I would never release it into local waterways!)

Thanks in advance.

If I have a few plants, I tear off the parts that are really rotted (brown usually). The airy sections sort of pop when torn. They should probably be cut instead. If left alone, the rotted parts will sink into the water (adding organic matter to the system as they decompose). Now, if I only have a few hyacinth, I am less likely to toss a section of one. Once the hyacinth start to grow out of control (around now), there are so many, that I usually don't bother removing any that are rotting. Once the plants start to die in the fall, then I toss them by the wheelbarrow full! I only start with 3 or 4 but end up with hundreds. I have never separated the plants that grow from the parent. The umbilical cord if you will normally breaks off naturally once the baby plant is fully formed. A few times, I'll pick up one with half a dozen attached to it and more to those in a big wad but normally, they break apart naturally. If you break them apart, any sections with roots will still be fine separated.

Thanks, Robyn. I know it's been a while but your reply helped me a lot. I just wanted to drop back in and say so. Thanks for the great site!

water hyacinths are my fav next to my hardy water liles! :D