Bladderwort or Utricularia plants are carnivorous marine plants most commonly found in narrow bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, marshes, ditches, and slow-moving rivers. Bladderworts are nomadic plants with long stems that extend visibly over the water. During summers, you can witness the stems topped by vivid yellow and purple flowers. This article will help you understand how Bladderworts can best be managed, controlled, and grown.

Do you know that this family of plants contains about 200 types of bladderworts, of which there are only about 50 species in the United States of America? The visible stems are bare and have small leaves that lie underwater. The bladders are reinforced with tiny hairs that are caused by tiny insects, such as water fleas and mosquito larvae.

The force opens a “trapdoor” that feeds the creature with a sweet, oily substance. Once these creatures are lured into the trap, they are consumed by the plant. The water-soaked part of bladderwort plants provides a conducive environment for a host of sublime aquatic species. These plants are consumed in large quantities by aquatic creatures, such as fish, reptiles, ducks, turtles, and toads. Small insects such as bees and flies pollinate the process of these flowers.

Handling the bladderwort

Bladderwort plants indicate a healthy marine environment. Due to the invasive nature of plants, plants tend to congest native plants and upset the usual balance of elements in the water. The dense mats of these plants create problems for swimmers and others. Therefore, it is important to administer it from time to time.

Control mechanisms

Manual extraction processes are considered safe and natural. This includes manual raking or pulling of the plant. Try removing a batch in smaller patches first, as it is normal for plants to regrow. Inserting fish into the lake is also a good idea, usually grass carp likes to feast on the plant and thus ensures that the plant does not grow out of proportion.

Chemical control methods

Using root-killing chemicals like Aquacide pellets is another process that can be used to get rid of Bladderworts. This is a very easy to apply and safe product for fish and wildlife.

Growing bladderworts

In case bladderwort plants grow, dig up portions of seasoned plants in spring or dry the flowers on a paper plate and remove the tiny seeds. These plants are easily replanted and their invasive potential aids in early growth. These plants can be grown indoors as tropical plants indoors. Bladderworts need at least four to five hours of good sunlight and prefer an additional four hours of filtered light every day. For the best first results, plant it in one part perlite and one part peat, and no bagging soil, and then place the container in a mineral-free soil dish.