Abstract
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata L.) is a native aquatic plant used frequently in ornamental ponds, water gardens,aquascapes, and mitigation sites. This experiment analyzed the effect of three different substrates on the growth of pickerelweed. Two of the substrates examined were commercial potting mixes (Atlas-Mix and Metro-Mix® 500), while the third was coarse builders' sand. Seedlings were planted in 2-gal (5.6-L) containers that were filled with substrate that had been amended with 1.05 oz (30 g) of controlled release fertilizer. Plants were grown during two independent 8-week culture periods and then harvested. Shoot dry mass data indicate that superior growth of pickerelweed may be achieved by culturing plants in pots filled with coarse builders' sand or Metro-Mix® 500.
