Starry Stonewart Update

No more treatments are scheduled for this year (2016).  Starry stonewort usually starts to die back in mid to late September on its own but seems to be holding on a little longer this year since weather has been nice.  
 
Unfortunately the only long term plan for Starry stonewort is frequent treatments.  Since it is technically an algae, we really only have a few options for treatment.  Many types of aquatic plants can be completely controlled by herbicides.  With starry stonewort, the treatments only provide a  “burn down” .  Starry stonewort grows as a mat on the bottom and the products cannot penetrate all the way down so it typically burns down the upper 6-8 inches.  Increasing treatment frequency or perhaps doing 2-3 weeks of successive treatments can provide reductions.  That being said, it is not like milfoil where we can get rid of it for several seasons and it can only be managed with the goal of keeping it from being a nuisance.  Next year, I will try to schedule more treatments to keep it at bay the best we can.
 
I hope this helps.
Bob, LOWIA