The word “koi” comes from Japanese, simply meaning “carp.” It includes both the dull grey fish and the brightly coloured varieties.Although it is generally accepted that Koi did not originate from…
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Filed under Koi Goldfish Pond by on Mar 22nd, 2009. Comment. 
Discuss – Provide adequate shade by having 60 to 70% of the pond’s surface area covered with floating plants or other types of shade.
If you have a backyard pond or a garden fountain full of plants and fish, you’ll need to make plans to prepare them for the colder months that are coming soon.
For example, fertilizing should stop about six weeks before first frost. “Hardy” plants should generally be allowed to go dormant for the winter. Wait until cold weather starts turning the plant’s leaves from green to yellow or brown, then trim off all the foliage, and follow one of the methods described below. “Tropical” plants, on the other hand, should not be exposed to night temperatures lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and should be moved indoors before their leaves start to change, and kept growing throughout the winter via the Bright Light method.
The Deep Pond method for hardy lilies and marginals:
Discuss – Another way to obtain Koi pond aeration is to have different kinds of under water pond plants such as Anacharis and Hornwort. These plants will grow and spread out very well under water.
Wait until cold weather starts turning the plant’s leaves from green to yellow or brown, then trim off all the foliage, and simply lower the pot into an area of the pond where the water is at least 36″ deep. For best results, keep a small area of the pond free of ice by using a pump, air pump or heater. Move plants back up to their original shallower locations promptly in the Spring. Types reporting the greatest successes include Arrowhead, most Rush, Plantain, Hardy Lily, Iris, Sweetflag, Spider Lily, Glyceria, Sago Pond Plant, Vallisneria americum, Creeping Primrose, Wild Reed, Parrot’s Feather and Acorus.
Discuss – Pick a design for the fish pond. First individuals would have to decide on the size of the pond they want to build.
The Flower Bed method for hardy marginals:
Bury the plant, pot and all, in a flower bed, and cover with mulch. Return plants to pond promptly in Spring. Types reporting the greatest successes: Arrowhead, Pickerel Rush, Plantain, Sweetflag, Acorus, and Iris.
The Dark Indoor method for hardy and semi-hardy marginals:
Place pot in a cool dark place, for example a root cellar, attached garage or cool basement. The idea is to keep the plant cool and dark enough to remain dormant. Plant should be watered regularly, or more simply immersed in a bucket of water. The plant still needs to “breathe”, so it should not be sealed off from air. Types reporting the greatest successes: Hardy Lily, Iris, most Rush, Plantain, Sweetflag, Canna and Longwood Canna, Cattail, and Wild Reed.
The Dry Root method for hardy or semi-hardy marginals:
Unpot plant, then trim roots from tuber and rinse clean. Store tuber in cool dry place. Alternately, remove foliage only, then leave in dry, dark, cool place. Types reporting the greatest successes: Canna and Longwood Canna.
Discuss – Make sure that when constructing a natural pond, that you dig deep enough, so that the pond does not freeze over during winter. Also, consider what types of aquatic life you want to include in the pond before digging.
The Bright Light method for tropical marginals:
Move plant indoors before leaves start to lose color. Keep in sunny window or under very strong fluorescent or metal halide lighting. Water thoroughly throughout the winter, or keep in kiddy pool or other indoor “pond”. Reported successes: Taro, Tropical Lily, Parrot’s Feather, Umbrella Palm, Papyrus and Water Poppy.
For more information about winterizing your ponds, fountains and statuary check the website listed below.
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Phil Allen lives in mid-Michigan and spends his time working in his yard and writing articles for the internet. Besides Bubblingponds.com, Barbeque-now.com, Sensational-Gates.com, and YardBeautySprinklers.com, his main website is YardBeauty.com. |
Filed under Koi Pond Maintenance by on Mar 19th, 2009. Comment.
Hydroponics is a form of gardening and cultivation of plants. The various pollutants that we are exposed to in soil often do not go away even after several years. This fact, along with others, has prompted researchers to look for ways to minimize the exposure of the plant to mediums that may carry factors that can add or contribute to a person ill health. Hydroponics is one such way wherein the plants do not use soil as a medium where they are planted.
Soil Is Not Important
In hydroponic gardening, researchers have found out that soil is actually just a reservoir where nutrients are stored for the plant’s consumption. The reservoir is just where the plant’s food is stored. Therefore, this reservoir is not essential if the plant can get the nutrients some other way. Hydroponics research has found out that the nutrients in the soil dissolve when they come in contact with water, thus making it easier for the plants to absorb. Hydroponics has done away with the need for soil for some plants.
Plants that are usually found in soil, terrestrial plants, can actually survive even when they are soilless, as long as they have access to the right kinds of nutrients that are essential tot heir growth. Hydroponics also has some medium that may be more suitable for a healthy human life. These mediums are mineral wool, perlite and gravel. These are just there to provide the roots something to hold on to for stability.
In medium culture, the basic question is which media to use for the plants in hydroponic gardening. There are actually many different mediums that can replace soil and these include, but are not limited to, mineral or rock wool, gravel, clay pellets, brick shards and perlite. These media are quite easy to use for hydroponic gardening and provide the roots with some stability as well as provide the nutrient solution with something to cling to.
Hydroponics has certain advantages such as cultivation in a clean environment with the fuss and mess of soil. Another advantage of hydroponics is the absence of many soil borne disease that target plants and produce. Hydroponics also provides a solution to barren places such as deserts and rocky areas for cultivating plants. Soil is not necessary to grow most plants; therefore, greenhouses can be made for better crops that have nutrients directly provided for them without the excesses of soil.
Filed under Koi Water Pond by on Mar 16th, 2009. Comment.