Messages

31

Chit Chat / Re: Yes, we have had some strange members. NO not you!

« on: August 25, 2011, 02:45:41 PM »

Another interesting new member to watch, marvinsandov1128. The links to "his website" are to what seems to be a Russian language pirate video web site. Intesting thing, I looked at their website rules page and it looks like someone is running a pretty tight ship! (Ethical video pirates?)

On the other hand, I can't say for certain that this is actually a pirate video website, but from what I saw there, and what the translation software says, it sure looks like it.

Funny, didn't see anything about water gardening at all. . .

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

32

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Crape Myrtle

« on: August 25, 2011, 02:20:12 PM »

Local garden guru says that after these bloom, clusters of berries appear where the blooms were. He says if you remove those, you will often get a second blooming. Can't recall the guru's name, but he's been doing a radio talk show on Florida gardening for years.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

33

Pond Chat / Re: Springflo filter material

« on: August 25, 2011, 02:17:01 PM »

With ribbon-type materials are used as submerged media, cleaning is normally fairly easy. Depending upon your filter design, isolate the filter chamber from the system, agitate the media (think hand washing clothes,) remove the water from the chamber (makes good fertilizer!) and refill. Repeat if needed. You can easily accomplish the pond's 10% water change doing this.

But you can minimize the need for cleaning the media by feeding it water that is mechanically clean, meaning water that has already passed through a solids removal section before getting to the biofilter. When supplied with very clean water, a biofilter shouldn't require much cleaning, in fact it is easy to over-clean one.

I've always found that filters that try to accomplish both mechanical and biological filtration, seldom perform both task as well as it can be done. Separate those two very different functions into two different chambers and you can greatly increase the efficiency of your system and reduce the amount of work it takes to keep it running well.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

34

Pond Chat / Re: Huge Blue Heron

« on: August 24, 2011, 03:35:08 PM »

I think the hoop house plans mention problems with PVC and green house plastic. But I used a heavy construction plastic. The large roll was enough to cover it twice. The first covering went three seasons, and I should have replaced it with the other half, but I forgot to bring it in, so it was sun-rotted after laying out for the whole time.

I'm not quite sure, but I think the roll of plastic back then cost $30 or $40, and was enough to cover it twice. Since it was subject to the elements, flying tree branches and my cats, I think the cheaper construction plastic worked out much better than the "real deal" would have.

But, I think the subject here is heron protection, so either a shade cloth material would be best, or just leaf netting over the same type of frame.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

35

Pond Chat / Re: Huge Blue Heron

« on: August 24, 2011, 08:37:22 AM »

My old aquatic greenhouse was made on the hoop house model, and covered with plastic. It went thru a number of Florida thunder storms with no problem. (Winds reaching 60 mph.) I suspect the shade cloth material would be less of a problem than the plastic, when it comes to wind.

The plan I found had a singe pipe beam running the lenght of the structure at the very top. I added a second one on each side, halfway down, also running the length of the house. I used 4 way connectors on all three of them. And I only used 1/2 in PVC pipe!

The plastic covering the structure was burried in a one foot deep trench on both sides and wasn't fastened in any other way except at the ends, where it folded down and was stapled to the 2X4 frame that closed the ends of the hoop house.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

36

Pond Chat / Re: blue waterlilies

« on: August 24, 2011, 08:27:44 AM »

I do like the blues! Then again, I neve met a waterlily I didn't like.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

37

Pond Chat / Re: What's happening to my vips?

« on: August 24, 2011, 08:25:22 AM »

I do the same as Marie, except for the turning the pads upside down. And fish will mess with them, but I don't currently keep fish large enough for that, all mine are under an inch at the moment.

I have lost quite a few vavip starts and tubers as will, to a raccoon. Now those tubs are sitting in a chicken wire fenced area.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

38

Pond Chat / Re: OIL SLICK?

« on: August 24, 2011, 08:20:55 AM »

I guess they're still making pumps with oil, but it's been a long time since I've bought a pump, I wouldn't know. If it is oil leaking from a pump, you'll know shortly, as they tend to die soon after that starts.

Oil from chainsaws used near a pond could cause a slick, but it really isn't all that likely unless they did something really stupid. . .

Most Koi foods do contain fish oil. Some of the less expensive ones (actually re-labeled cat fish food,) contain a lot of it and will leave a sheen on the water. Nice for feeding algae blooms.

Decompositon of any organics will also do this. Anything from fish to frogs, to plant parts. This is also a common cause of a sheen on the water.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

39

Pond Chat / Re: Springflo filter material

« on: August 24, 2011, 08:13:12 AM »

Yes, it does work well, but then again, so many things do. The best as far as "bang for your buck" that I ever used was some sort of PVC ribbon, something most likely left over from PVC pipe turned on a lathe. In fact, I thought about getting an inexpensive wood lathe to make it myself. It's been a while, but I got the PVC shavings as "Bio-Fill" or something like that, from Aquatic Ecosystems in Apopka, FL

Mine was used as the primary biofilter in two of my Koi ponds. The media was placed in plastic trums set up as trickle towers. Two cubic feet of that, or any type of ribbon material in a TT has a rediculous fish holding capacity. Used in a TT that is supplied with mechanically clean water doe not require cleaning, ever. But the trick was doing a good job of mechanical filtration ahead of the bio section.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

40

Pond Chat / Re: 5 of a kind, plus dragonfly.

« on: August 22, 2011, 01:46:14 PM »

PM sent on the Daubin exchange idea!

You asked about the other vivips I've got growing. Islamarada, Key Largo, Panama Pacific, and Ploi Dang are putting up pads with buttons on them. As of now, I've only started new plants from Panama Pacific (and Daubin, of course.) So far, only Ploi Dang has actually produced a new plantlet on it's own and I recently took some heathy pads from that one and put them in a dish tub, weighted them down with rocks and set them out in the sun. It's been 4 days now and three of the four have plantlets going, those should be "pot-able" in another couple of day.

I did select a couple of pads from each and broke the stems, but left them attached to the plant. This hasn't been particularly productive as of yet, but I am still watching them, just in case.

I will be setting some more tubs out with cut pads on the other vavips just like I did with Ploi Dang, this week. I did have some that started looking like they were going to go well from the other plants, but the raccoon found them first. Now all this will be done in a protected area. (Read, heavily fenced!)

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

41

Pond Chat / Re: 5 of a kind, plus dragonfly.

« on: August 21, 2011, 02:36:20 PM »

Nice pics! And being Daubin, are those vavip starts making the small pads I see submerged in the last pic? Gott'a love it!

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

42

Pond Chat / Re: Huge Blue Heron

« on: August 19, 2011, 01:12:57 PM »

Nice job on the canopy!

Being a DIY'er from waaay back, I think I'd take the "hoophouse" PVC greenhouse plans and make one myself. I have made one that got used as a greenhouse, but I think the design would be easy to adapt. (Including spray painting the white PVC!)

Just thinking outloud.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

43

Chit Chat / Re: "My &%#$ Knee!"

« on: August 19, 2011, 01:10:09 PM »

I don't think I'd let anyone do any more than you already have, without taking a second look. If things seem like they are going well, then OK, leave it alone. But if you don't thing the last treatment did the job, then by all means, another MRI would be called for.

Mike S.  (I played "doctor" once or twice, as a small child.)
Spring Hill, FL

44

Chit Chat / Re: "My &%#$ Knee!"

« on: August 19, 2011, 08:28:07 AM »

Some good news from a working X-Ray tech, the replacement knees have improved greatly in the past 5 years. But, they are not a "first choice," as once you go that way, you cannot go back to the original equipment. But if it does come down to that, I've seen great results.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

45

Pond Chat / Re: Huge Blue Heron

« on: August 19, 2011, 08:24:14 AM »

The ONLY thing that ever worked for me was netting the pond. Plastic decoys that look like herons didn't work, even though many will tell you they are solitary feeders. I have personally seen them in the wild, lined up on the banks during a baitfish run, just like human fishermen will do at the most popular locations.

Leaf netting will do, but it needs to be suspended at least 2 feet above the surface of the water. I have found that they will spear fish thru the netting, if their beaks can reach the water. They will often do this and kill fish much larger than they can eat.  This is why I call them, "Birdzilla." So use the netting so they cannot duck their heads underneath it, while you are at it.

The good news is that they will eventually seek food that is easier to get and leave you alone for a while. But, keep a watch, as they will check back to see if things have changed again.

A small, yappy dog can work out, but at the risk of ticking off the neighborhood. My cats were no help in this regard, I think they admired the heron for it's fishing ablilities.

46

Pond Chat / Re: Post more pictures please

« on: August 18, 2011, 05:39:32 PM »

I can second that! If you know what it is, a name would be nice to see.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

47

Pond Chat / Re: Finally, good bloom from Jongkolnee!

« on: August 18, 2011, 05:39:08 PM »

Can't say for sure just why some will do this, but this one was imported from Thailand as a tuber, as were my Nangkwaug's. They also put up a number of buds before the flowers started looking like they were supposed to. On the other hand, Several others from the same source did fine, right off the bat.

I guess the only thing I really learned is that sometimes, you just have to have patience.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

48

Pond Chat / Re: 5 of a kind, plus dragonfly.

« on: August 18, 2011, 05:33:36 PM »

Daubenyana is probably my favorite waterlily. Multiple blooms are the norm for it and I've grown them in 8oz cups, up to 10 gallon pots. It will pretty much match whatever you grow it in. I've had one that bloomed Christmas, (in Florida,) and one that became a cut flower in a vase started closing during the day and opening at night.

I've given a number of Daubin's away, best way to get someone hooked on waterlilies!

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

49

Pond Chat / Finally, good bloom from Jongkolnee!

« on: August 18, 2011, 11:11:26 AM »

I was starting to think maybe this plant just didn't like me. They started out slowly, then when the buds came up, they just sat there for a few days and then dropped. After a number of those, the next one opened, but the petals were all dried out and it looked rather pitiful. The bud opend after having been up for 4 days, and had fallen over landing on the pad of a Trudy Slocum. This happened several times, pretty much the same on both Jongkolnee plants that I have.

But I think that is over.



I almost didn't get this shot, it had just started to sprinkle as I went out to check on all the ponds. The bud had surfaced the day before yesterday, so I expected yet another repeat performance. Here is a wider shot.



It is overcast, and the colors show pretty well. The pad to the right of the bloom (with a leaf sitting on it,) belongs to the Jongkolnee. You might also see another bud and pad coming up in this pic. There are two more buds below the surface, as well.

Now to see if the next bloom also opens normally! There is also another Jongkolnee in another pond, doing pretty much the same thing. Each bud seems to be an improvement over the previous, so I'm hoping that plant will also start producing normal flowers.

It took a while, but I think it was worth the wait.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

50

Pond Chat / Re: Photos 816

« on: August 18, 2011, 10:59:18 AM »

All good! Loved the close-ups, going to have to try some of those, myself.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

51

Pond Chat / Re: Post more pictures please

« on: August 18, 2011, 10:55:33 AM »

What a nice collection! I truely enjoyed seeing these.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

52

Pond Chat / Re: Waterlily or Water Lily?

« on: August 18, 2011, 07:59:44 AM »

Yes, I recall recently having read something about the different choices of words, terms, and their spelling, and I think Kitt Knotts wrote it and was quite funny! The piece removed any notion of being pretentious. Went to try and find it, but no luck.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, Fl

53

Pond Chat / Re: Waterlily or Water Lily?

« on: August 17, 2011, 04:16:24 PM »

Proper? Its all argueable, I guess. But since my earliest reference was Slocum's book, I tend to follow that lead. That is to say, "waterlilies," and "water garden."

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

54

Chit Chat / Re: What to do in Bradenton, Florida for 2-1/2 days? September.

« on: August 17, 2011, 08:53:38 AM »

Very much "Ditto" on Burns for a dining experience. Been many years since I've been there, but do at least ask to see the wine list. I bought a copy, myself. About the size of a NY phone book. (But much more informative!)

Also, The Dali museum is a must-see. Even for those who think they don't like him. Last time I was there, they had some of his very early works, quite different from what he is known for. And for what he IS know for, seeing them personally might just change your mind if you don't happen to care for him. Gives you a whole new perspective of his own rather interesting perspective.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

55

Pond Chat / Re: Pics today

« on: August 13, 2011, 10:44:28 PM »

Thanks for the info!

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

56

Chit Chat / Re: Pit Bull VS a Kitten, Ya gotta see this.

« on: August 13, 2011, 10:42:14 PM »

Sounds about right. Gracie (dog) tries her best to smile. If you aren't used to it, its a little hard on the nerves.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

57

Pond Chat / Re: A PITA Pond?

« on: August 12, 2011, 07:10:30 PM »

Marie,

I'll try not to picture you making that maneuver, but I do think I'll look into the grabber thing. But what would you say the difficulty rating of that pond dismount would be?

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

58

Pond Chat / Re: A PITA Pond?

« on: August 12, 2011, 09:42:48 AM »

Although most of what I've posted in this thread was meant to be humor, the safety aspect is important.

I do have several pairs of shoes I picked up over the years that are perfect for the job of wading in the ponds or pools. I just don't think about putting them on as often, my pool-wading is done on the spur of the moment. Now lets see if I'm smart enough to learn from this thread and start using them!

I got them because I used to spend a lot of time in a very small boat, exploring the backwater areas while flyfishing. Often miles from nowhere and not another person in sight. I'd park the boat and wade across grass and oyster flats with my fly rod in hand. Took a fall once and got lucky, only ended up with some cuts on both hands, landing in a "push-up" postion in 6 inches of water, staring at a bed of oysters just inches from my face.

That is when I got the right foot ware and started keeping them in the boat, with an extra pair. Still have them, now I need to start using them.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

59

Pond Chat / Re: Pictures

« on: August 12, 2011, 09:36:12 AM »

Yes, I noticed the hyacinth, too! Beautiful plant, but very much prohibited where I live, and with good reason, too. Glad some can keep and enjoy them, though.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

60

Pond Chat / Ostara pic and a quick note.

« on: August 12, 2011, 09:33:52 AM »

This isn't a "First Bloom" pic, but it is the first that I actually got a picture of. It's now getting to the point where I have trouble remembering just which ones I have shot & posted, and which I haven't. Same with fertilizing, too! (For that, I'm going to develope a system.)

Grown in an 18oz cup, here is Ostara:



First, about the ghostlylooking hand in the pic. In order to get the angle I wanted and to keep the flower in the shade so the sun wouldn't wash out the color, I was holding the stem of the flower about six inches or so below the surface.

Second, and more important, is how the flower looks. This picture does NOT do the variety justice. Nothing is wrong with the plant, except that as others have noted elsewhere, plants grown in very small containers will often produce pads and blooms that simply do not reach the full potential of the plant. That is perfectly OK when you are doing this to enhance tuber production, or just trying to keep the plant small for a smaller pond or container garden. But you cannot expect the plant to perform it's best when doing this.

To get the most out of them, usually the larger container the better, and that container needs to be in a pond that provides the surface area to match the plant's tendency to spread.

So, depending upon your goals and what you have available, it's always going to be a compromise in one direction or another.

What I'll have to do, is to grow some of them out in larger pots and fewer of them in each pond, to be able to show the plant doing what it is capable of. Othes will be grown in containers as small as 8oz's, for production. A bit of a strain, but that is what I'll have to do in order to produce the plants in quantity, and to also be able to show the plants at their potential. I will only post pictures of plants that I have grown myself. Either here, or on my web site. For me, it's a question of ethics.

Nothing wrong with posting pics from various sources, so long as it is made clear, nothing at all! But since I'll be going "commercial" next year, hopefully, I want to accurately represent what I'll be selling.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL