algae treatment for pond with straw??

[moonwolf]

I have heard that putting in straw (preferably barley straw) will clear the algae forming in a pond.
I have some scum algae that is beginning to grow along the edges of a pond which I am hoping this would work. I only can get oat straw. Will that work? Also, how much do you need? How best to apply it? And how long does it take to clear the algae? How often do you need to add more straw?
What is the rationale behind using straw to clear the algae? How does it work?

[fishhead]

I use oat straw in my ponds to suppress filamentous algae growth. It seems to work pretty well.

I break off 3" slices and lay them at the waterline about every 25' in the spring and replace them later in the summer when they are almost gone.

As I understand it the straw breaks down to lignin, lignin to humic acid, humic acid + water + sunlight produces hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide is supposed to suppress cell division so it doesn't kill it outright but prevents it from reproducing. Then it just dies without being replaced. That's why it doesn't work for 3-4 weeks. In the meantime I've even seen algae growing on the straw but that stops.

Whatever it does I do believe that it works.

I've got a pond full of little tar babies that I'll try to remember to get some pics of tomorrow.

[Paul Wheaton]

My answer is a lot more boring.

The algae is growing because your pond contains fertility. Good ole nitrogen. The straw ties up the nitrogen.

I hear the barley straw is better because it does this *and* something else that I can't remember.

[Tricky Grama]

You can fill up a pair of panyhose w/cornmeal & tie it off & toss it in. Worked in our pond of about 1 ac+.

Patty

[Maura]

You can shade it out with water lilies.