Messages

241

Pond Chat / Re: I finally realize why

« on: July 09, 2009, 05:44:57 PM »

Hi Tracy:

 I see you are using bird netting is this to keep the critters out...I started to use this with the deer a few years ago.

gary

242

Pond Chat / Re: Top Water lily blooms of the day

« on: July 09, 2009, 05:43:24 PM »

hey Kat:

 Nice photos, the Foxfire seems bleached out.

Gary

243

Pond Chat / Re: The Magnificient Hardy - Pink Ribbon

« on: July 09, 2009, 05:42:15 PM »

hi louis:

 I have been mainly abscent this year, but it's always great to see your photos!!!

Gary

244

Pond Chat / Re: water lily crown rot???

« on: July 09, 2009, 05:41:03 PM »

Crown Rot does exisit, but I agree people tend to blame every dead lily on crown rot.  I agree with Craig, I am not aware of Tropical lilies getting crown rot. I think a lot of people make the mistake and say a tropical gets crown rot when it has been exposed to temperatures below freezing and gets soft and mushey (very technical term I know).  The best documented case is at Kew gardens over in the UK, but this was a one time event.  I also have read that Phyto is actually everwhere, pots, plants, etc. and the chance of Crown rot is exaserbated by not thouroughly washing out used containers.  In various readings crown rot seems to be more susceptable to specific species in particular the reds and some of the yellow hardies.  While I have a lot of respect for Perry, I think he overstates crown rot in his highly used book, which tends to scare a lot of people.

In general I found in mine and my folks hands that water lilies (especially tropicals) are very hardy (clearly not cold hardy) and grow like weeds.  So Tink enjoy your beautiful pond and don't fret except for that snake I see crawling into your pond

245

Pond Chat / Re: 07-08-09 ....

« on: July 09, 2009, 05:23:15 PM »

BTW did you hear about the child that was born at 12:34:56on 070809

246

Pond Chat / Re: 07-08-09 ....

« on: July 08, 2009, 07:26:35 PM »

Joyce great photos as usual.  However did you take the pictures at 04:05:06?

247

Pond Chat / Re: Container pics from yesterday

« on: July 01, 2009, 04:08:27 PM »

Hi Maryvonne:  Thanks for the comments, hopefully you will have a beautiful view of Howe sound soon.  I was in Portland last week for a conference and drove to Richland Wa, what a beautiful drive though the Columbia Gorge...I wanted to sample all of the wines!!  But this area reminded me very much of the Sea to Sky highway.

Thanks GTN it only looks bigsince we raied the area by 6' to get out of the flood plain.  This was DW minimal house, i.e. we scaled back by over 30%  from our current house in Chadds Ford!

Gary

 

248

Pond Chat / Re: Container pics from yesterday

« on: June 30, 2009, 11:58:46 AM »

Hey Luann

I have a restauraunt for you that serves all you can eat blue crabs in old bay, deep fried peelers (Yum yum), crab cakes, rockfish, oysters, shrimp and for hubby BQue ribs and chicken.   

249

Pond Chat / Re: Container pics from yesterday

« on: June 29, 2009, 06:47:32 PM »

Thanks everyone. GTN we get a lot of strong winds off the Cheaspeake and salt spray everywhere, so that is what I'm refereing to. 

Luann this is right next to middle of nowhere on a small creek off the Rappanonnock River that feeds the Cheapeake, can you say crab cakes!!!!

250

Pond Chat / Re: Container pics from yesterday

« on: June 28, 2009, 06:26:23 PM »

YEs Vickie, the blue one is one of my favorites too.  Kittyzee here are a few more shots of our new house site, including future site of a 20'30' pond.  I also took a shot of a morning visitor.  He seems to fish much better than I!!!!

251

Pond Chat / Container pics from yesterday

« on: June 28, 2009, 05:00:49 PM »

It's been a hetic summer, but I manage to get a shot of these containers on our dock of mU and Charlies Choice.  I wasn't sure it would make it in a salt water environment.

Gary

252

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: Charlies'Choice

« on: June 21, 2009, 10:14:55 AM »

Perry's Fire Opal is ~ 4-5 ' in diameter in my hands and similar to Mayla.  james brydon gets well in bounds 3' in my hands, but blooms in spurts, but it does has a similar color.

253

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: Charlies'Choice

« on: June 16, 2009, 06:53:22 PM »

Hi Isaiacrazy:

 I'm pretty sure it is illegal to shift international without phyto certification, which I'm not going to do.  However there are many retailers out there who will.  When you order the plant confirm with the person who is selling it to you.

My folks use to own Miami Water Lilies and Orchids and would ship world-wide including Mexico with this certification and while ther eis some cost they would make up for it in bulk sales.

Gary

254

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: Charlies'Choice

« on: June 14, 2009, 06:30:08 PM »

Hi Tim:

 Nice web site, I will PM you.

255

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: Charlies'Choice

« on: June 04, 2009, 02:49:51 AM »

Hi Tim:

 This is a small lily with ~ 3' spread.  I have one cluster that needs to be separted that I can send you  or individual tubers of various sizes some with blooms on them.  Actually if you have an extra Mop head that would be good too, but I would want one that is in bud since our season is short here. 

From Hardies I have Wow, Helvola, sunny Pink, Perry's Orange Sunset, Perry's Baby Red, Red Spider, Crimnson Red, Peaches and Cream , Georgia Peach, Colorado, Hermine, Laydekeri Fulgens, Leydekeri Lilaca, Yellow Comanche, Mansinello, Mayla, Perry"s Fire Opal, Aurora, helvola , Little Sue, White Odorata, Almost Black, Chubby, Clyde Ikins, Tetragona,  James Brydon

256

Pond Chat / Re: Lilies and Lotus...

« on: June 03, 2009, 06:18:38 PM »

Nice photo's    I like the Yellow Flag.

257

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Charlies'Choice

« on: June 03, 2009, 06:16:36 PM »

I have quite a few tubers with buds after dividing a 20" pot today.  I'm interested in some Blue Flag or a hardy I don't have.

Gary

258

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: A rainy day photo

« on: May 19, 2009, 07:10:49 PM »

Hi Maryvonne:

Your garden always looks nice! 

Sorry to be out of touch, but I take it you have not moved to the island yet.  How is everyone, unfortunately we didn't have time this winter to stop by since  my daughter brought her boyfriend with us and I had to keep a stern eye on them .  How is Peter's flying going?

Best regards,

Gary

259

Chit Chat / Re: DIY Curb Appeal

« on: April 29, 2009, 07:46:21 PM »

Clearly the banner brightens up the house, but I may be a little biased.  I think impatients out in front of the beds would bring in color or you could try passiflora that could be cool on a oblesk.  I like the change in shutters!

Gary

260

Pond Chat / Re: What yellow hardy is your favorite?

« on: April 29, 2009, 07:41:47 PM »

Texas Dawn is a good yellow and is prolific in my hands despite comments above.  I can't get a good photo, but Yellow Comanche (photo is third day when orange glow comes in) is one of my favorites.  Sunrise has a beautiful flower, but in my hands it is not as good of a bloomer and down your way I would go for Yellow Dazzler (tropical)

261

Chit Chat / Re: SoCal pond gathering this summer?

« on: April 24, 2009, 06:24:01 PM »

Now Jerry if your burgers are as good as Continental Burger, I'll even make it from the East Coast. 

I can't even believe you guys think 80 is hot, Ithink you guys would melt on the East Coast.

262

Chit Chat / Re: Woo Hoo, I just got my dream job and I start when I get back from Vacation.

« on: April 24, 2009, 06:19:42 PM »

Congratulations Sean, I'm glad there are good people like you, I almost pass out when I see blood, especially my own .

Have fun in LA and say hi to Mike.

Best regards,

Gary

263

Chit Chat / Re: Hello...remember me?

« on: April 16, 2009, 08:01:05 PM »

I've been sparse too, but welcome back gator!!!  How bout last season.

 

Gary

264

Pond Chat / Re: Waded Into The Pond...

« on: April 07, 2009, 09:29:27 PM »

Wow, in this thread, I learned a few things: 

1. Joyce needs some waders without holes
2. Guys smell like pond muck
3. Computer guys don't mind strong odors
4. Guys need emission control
5. Guys think their enmissions smell like cinnamon buns
6. Dogs cannot be trusted with smells, after all they always have their nose in another dogs rear-end
7. "We're just men, we're doing the best we can.  Live with it..."

Did I miss anything?

265

Chit Chat / Re: The Orchid Show at NYBG

« on: March 29, 2009, 04:49:17 PM »

Nice photos Joyce!  I really like the Vanda and wall of Phals!  My sister lives near the Botanical garden and I've threaten to visit, maybe this will push me to get there.

Gary

266

Pond Chat / Re: Water lily question

« on: March 19, 2009, 05:49:36 PM »

Ahh the old potting media topic...seems like we always have long discussions with this one.  Algae bloom is due to too much organic in the pond, remove the algae and this should balance out.  Note some algae is a good thing especially on the sides of the pond.  Now what do plants need other than npk.  There is pretty good evidence in the litereature that aquatic plants need a support  to allow the nutrients to be absorbed and zeolites do an excellent job.  If you want to spend a fortune you can buy them from a chemical manufacture or find them free in clay that is loaded with them.  there are also so metals that are also needed such as Fe, but this usually comes in the fertilizer that you are using.  Stone is clean, but heavy and does not support the neutrients and in my hands I see very few blooms.  Top soil works well except a couple of years ago I noticed they started putting wood chips in it.  Not a good idea for water plants...wood floats,  Kitty litter is better than rocks, but also releases the nutirients quickly.  the coconut fiber was the industry answer to lighter plants w/o going to bare root, enabling lower shipping costs and simplify the packing and growing process, but I agree with Joyce that this does not hold a lot of nutrients.

Regardless of planting media water lilies during the growth period are heavy feeders so fertilize every couple of weeks per instructions.

Good luck

Gary

267

Chit Chat / Re: Show Me Your Snow Pix!!!

« on: March 02, 2009, 05:56:21 PM »

Hey Joyce:

 Your pictures are wonderful, especiually after a lot of shoveling here!

Reminds me of the Longwood orchid room where they pack in the orchids.

Cheers,

Gary

268

Chit Chat / Re: Best car you ever owned (Apologies to Mikey)

« on: February 07, 2009, 01:45:39 PM »

Wow tough question and what are the criteria:

Most dependable - my old dodge dart with the slant 6...I couldn't kill that car not to mention all of the dating memories!  My current 2000 Acura TL hasn't had any problems at 132+K miles

Best drive - My special eddition TR-6 (1976).  This car was just plain old fun to drive.  It hugged the turns and had so much torque nothing could beat it off the line.

Power - Anybody remember the Maurader, I think they put a rocket engine in that baby!  I hit Mach 1 on the Florida Turnpike on my college commute from Miami to Gainesville.

Sexist car - I still maintain the 1966 jaguar E-type convertible is one of my favorites, unfortunately I never owned one of these 12 cylinder babies, but I'm allowed to drool.

269

Chit Chat / Re: Worst car you ever owned....

« on: February 07, 2009, 01:30:55 PM »

Hey MikeW:

Yeap you are correct, but I like your description and I have always wondered about screw and bolts too.  Does this mean we should use left handed screws? I learned as a teen I could fix most things wih a hammer, screw driver and duct tape.

270

Pond Chat / Re: leafy but pretty

« on: February 07, 2009, 01:22:28 PM »

Mike:
  Very nice lily, is it available?

Gary