New... Need Help Getting Plants Started...

My husband and I have just started a pond, and we need a little help
with the basics. We'd like to get some plants started. We have
several potted lillies that seem to being doing well, but we'd like to
add some oxygenators.

We tried some bundles of parrot's feather. They were floating at the
nursery where we purchased them. They were wrapped in bundles of 4-5
strands, with a bendable mental band. At that point, they had no
roots. We simply tossed them into our pond, where they did well for a
few days...and had developed root buds. Then, they all sank!? How do
I keep them floating on the surface? Should I have removed the metal
band?

Also, we've purchased some anacharis that is wrapped in bundles, using
rubber bands. How should we add these to our pond? I'd rather not pot
them, if it's not necessary. I've read about anchoring them with lead
weights, but I haven't seen any details about how to do this. Are the
"lead weights" the bendable metal bands? How many strands should we
bundle together? How tightly? Then, do we simply toss them in?

I know these questions must seem very basic!

Thanks for your time and help!


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brendonanderinc