So last Friday I decided to divide up my clients pond plants. They were looking a mess and in need of sorting out.
Its a job I don't relish but its necessary. the sun was out and it wasn't raining for a change, so I took the bull by the horns and got stuck in. What i didn't take into consideration and probably should have - the water was freezing, yes i know its winter so it was going to be but my enthusiasum got the better of me.
Having cleaned the algae and detritus out of the pond and put it to one side so any wildlife can get back in over night I removed the plants. the detritus will end up on the compost heap.
First up, sort out what to keep and what not to then sort out what's happening to those being kept. They all needed potting/dividing... a small job was now a big job - but isn't it always.
Aquatic Soil and Containers
What's that I hear you say - well its much like a normal compost BUT then its not. Aquatic soil is made up of a good quality loan with a very low organic content and a lot of grit and gravel. you can make your own but in all honesty it never comes out as well as the shop bought ones.
as to containers, you should always use proper pond baskets - round, square, kidney shaped or hexagon. they have mesh sides with allow the water to flow through but not let the soil out. this way the soil doesn't become stagnant. see photo below.
Repotting and dividing
The first to sort out was the Alocasia esculenta - Elephants Ear.
Its a bulbus plant that isn't very hardy so has to be brought into the greenhouse to over winter. The bulb is big so requires a big container. they grow fast and can quickly multiply. A stunning plant with large green leave giving a very tropical feel.
As you can see the picture on the left its very pot bound and its pot is broken. last spring when this was planted it was just 1 bulb and now its grown into 4.
So removal of the pot was simple - cut it off , the root checked for any rotten or damaged ones and then a general clean up of the plant removing any algae/pond weed etc.
Its new container was then selected. a small amount of soil in the base then the Calocasia put in. checked for height - making sure there's enough room for gravel at the top and then backfilled.
Aquatic soil is a heavy soil and although needs firming, it shouldn't be rammed down. - just light and gently.
Once in and back filled make sure there's about 3/4" of an inch gap at the top so to cover with gravel. this stops and soil being washed away.
Finally cover with gravel and water before, in this case, putting in a tray in the greenhouse but normally, putting it back into the pond ensuring its in the correct water depth as its now in a larger container. To help you see the video's below.
The best gravel to use is pea shingle as its easy to spread onto small surfaces but heavy enough not to be washed away.
In the spring each container will be given a slow release fertiliser pellet which is pushed into the pot, this feeds the plant for the whole season.
Then next to sort out was the Iris's as you can see from the photos were divided up and replanted (in the same way as the Calocasia) into several new containers. Topped with gravel and placed back into the pond.
divided and the planted into new container ensuring the rhizome is at the surface.
topped with gravel then returned to the pond.
The same principle is then used for all the other pond plants like Bull Rushes, Plantains etc.
Hopefully come spring the pond will look fabulous - I'll let you know what it looks like.
I hope you found this blog interesting and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
Happy gardening.
Blog 14/12/2025 Gardening by Geoff.- horshamgardener.blogspot.com
All information contained in this blog and all the others is purely the opinion of the author and should be taken with advisement. please read the legal disclaimer. https://horshamgardener.blogspot.com/2025/12/sorry-boring-legal-stuff-updated.html
Repotting and dividing 
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