Messages

451

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: My lotus wall

« on: August 05, 2009, 06:28:56 PM »

Looks like heaven!

Definitely on my list to try next year.
How much might one expect to pay for a small one to start?
I have no idea how much they usually run.

452

Chit Chat / Re: Probably the saddest thing that you will see, don't look

« on: August 05, 2009, 06:35:17 AM »

Such beautiful pictures of such a sad situation.

Thanks so much for sharing them.

453

Pond Chat / Re: bouquet plants revisited.

« on: August 04, 2009, 06:29:08 PM »

Absolutely wonderful!

I am green with envy!

454

Pond Chat / Re: This years bouquet.

« on: July 31, 2009, 07:51:50 PM »

OMG - that is absolutely incredible!!!

455

Pond Chat / Re: a morning surprise....

« on: July 29, 2009, 10:04:37 AM »

  I remember the feeling.

I still have a division of my first lilies...bought from WalMart.  A white and a red. 
I'm too cheap to buy "the good stuff" and still refer to all my lilies as unnamed.  One of these days I'm gonna buy some with names and then I'll lose the tags and forget them.   

Sue - my 2 "larger" lilies are from WalMart and these are the first blooms in 2 years.  I also recently got one from PetSmart - the rhyzome was so tiny and 1/2 dried out, but instead of wasting gas money to return it, I decided to give it a try.  I now have about 6 small leaves growing up to the surface so even if it doesn't do anything this year, I'll hopefully have another nice one next year.

I finally figured out that the one that is in bloom from WalMart that I got last year is Fabiola.  The color is so pretty today on this very overcast about to pour day!

456

Pond Chat / Re: Fool Pink and Friends...

« on: July 29, 2009, 09:52:27 AM »

Joyce, is the blue water lily really that BLUE??? 

That was MY question!!!  If it is... I just have to have it!  I have a blue garden near my pond, and all blue plant pots surrounding my pond!  Just gorgeous!

As are all your lilies!

457

Pond Chat / Re: a morning surprise....

« on: July 28, 2009, 08:49:22 PM »

I know just how you feel, cricket!

I now have my second bloom on my very first water lily and I still cannot look at it enough!  They are all so pretty, and I never thought I'd be growing any, so it's kind of like... "someone pinch me!"

458

Pond Chat / Re: How does your waterfall look late in the season.. BlindToo your taro...

« on: July 27, 2009, 08:34:29 AM »

Beautiful waterfalls everyone!   

This is our second summer with the pond, so the plants are still filling in the waterfall hills. 

This was taken on 7-11-09


7-25-09

459

Pond Chat / Re: My Aussie lily N. gigantea

« on: July 26, 2009, 03:00:21 PM »

Gorgeous!  Love the color!

460

Pond Chat / Re: what kind of algae

« on: July 26, 2009, 10:53:18 AM »

Interesting about the carpet effect - I went into the pond for the first time yesterday - my husband usually does that but has bad sciatica now - and I was surprised at how much I was slipping around!

Phylal - my husband does have a power washer - good to know about that too.  I used the strongest stream on the hose yesterday after I was finished scrubbing, but the power washer would definitely work better!  Thanks!

461

Pond Chat / Re: what kind of algae

« on: July 26, 2009, 09:34:20 AM »

Thanks so much, Lawanna!

I researched blanket algae after your reply, and that is exactly what it is!  It helps to know the name, and what should or should not be done.  One of the articles says it's commonly found in ponds with UV lights, so it's no wonder that we have it now, now that we have had the UV lights in for about a month.

462

Pond Chat / what kind of algae

« on: July 25, 2009, 08:22:46 PM »

is this?

The other day, I noticed that the rocks under the waterfall were VERY green!  Today, I was able to scrub them clean when my husband turned off the waterfall to clean the filter.  It was very slimey, and what is the darker green area?





My husband put in 2 UV lights in the skimmer about a month ago and the pond water is now nice and clear, so we were surprised to see all that on the rocks.  That is actually much less than a few days ago!

Here is an after picture of the nice, clean waterfall.

463

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Double 'D' Grown Strawberries

« on: July 23, 2009, 12:08:15 PM »

OK THEN!!!

464

Pond Chat / Re: Where does everyone buy their pond plants from?

« on: July 23, 2009, 12:05:33 PM »

I can believe that price, sooks!  The large pond store just over into NJ also has some large ones - I don't even want to know the prices - it would make me too upset!!!  Especially since we can't leave them outside over winter here. :'(

465

Pond Chat / Re: Today's Visitors

« on: July 23, 2009, 12:01:30 PM »

I think your pictures are terrific!   I especially like that last one of the orange dragonfly - it's so nice and clear!   I, too, had to take many shots to get a few somewhat focused ones - I am using a very old crummy camera since my other one died this summer.

Did you see the question I asked about whether dragonflies are territorial?
Anyone know this answer?  The same one has been back on that spot much of today, while the other one zooms in and out above the pond.

466

Pond Chat / Re: Today's Visitors

« on: July 23, 2009, 09:41:23 AM »

Those are terrific pictures, Mikey! 
I, too, love the orange one and would love to see it here first hand!

Do you mind if I share some pictures of my dragonfly here with you? 
I figured it would be better than to start my own thread on the same subject.

I think this guy was trying to camoflauge himself on this birdbath that sits by the pond.




I was wondering if dragonflies are territorial?  I have only seen a few this week, first time this summer, and there is a much larger one that keeps flying low over the pond and everytime he does, this one in the pictures gets off his perch and chases him away.

I also have my first darning needle this week.  I just love the irredescent colors on them and the dragonflies, don't you?

467

Pond Chat / Re: Where does everyone buy their pond plants from?

« on: July 23, 2009, 09:18:27 AM »

I'm going to have to get in on the action here next time.  There are only 3 stores within driving distance here that sell water lilies and they begin at $49.99 and go upwards of $75!

468

Pond Chat / Re: Sunfire in fertile soil.

« on: July 23, 2009, 09:13:54 AM »

GORGEOUS!!!

Reminds me of grapefruit colors.

469

Pond Chat / Re: Our pond today (pic)

« on: July 21, 2009, 06:22:42 PM »

VERY nicely done!

470

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: It's so cheesy!!!

« on: July 21, 2009, 11:47:31 AM »

That is GORGEOUS Freddie!

471

Terrestrial Gardening / It's so cheesy!!!

« on: July 20, 2009, 05:35:16 PM »

Last year and this summer I have grown orange and yellow flowers in the pond gardens and nearby, to accentuate the colors of the fish in the pond.  When I was taking some pictures of the flowers today, I got a very cheesy feeling - the colors reminded me of assorted cheeses - American, cheddar, Velveeta!    See for yourself!

In the garden leading to the pond... orange mini zinnias
 

gazanias on rocks lining pond


gaillardia oranges and lemons by driveway


Dwarf yellow cannas behind the arbor bench by the pond
 

Another one


I have been trying to get a good shot of these calendulas all summer,
but they are just too bright for my camera's liking!



Anyone else have some cheesy flowers to share?

472

Pond Chat / Re: some of my ponds click on pics twice

« on: July 20, 2009, 07:30:18 AM »

VERY pretty ponds!  Everything looks so nice and green and healthy in them!  Thanks for sharing!


(Just a little sidenote - last night when I clicked on one of your pictures it brought me to a porn site that I couldn't get out of right away.  I ran all my spyware programs overnight and all seems ok today thankfully. )

473

Pond Chat / Re: How bout some more Lotus bloom pics

« on: July 19, 2009, 10:41:32 AM »

OMG that first picture is STUNNING!!!

474

Pond Chat / Re: My Floating Plant Solution....

« on: July 19, 2009, 08:49:54 AM »

That is a FANTASTIC idea, Lynne!

I'm so glad you are a "control freak" , because it gave us a terrific way to float plants safely!  I have a horrible problem with my floaters going right in front of the skimmer because of the waterfall current, and this year I planted the Parrot's Feather because of that.  It is doing well, but I still need some surface cover for the fish so I will definitely be copying this idea!

Hula hoops work great for coverage when they are tethered, but I like the idea of being able to have smaller floating plants as well.

475

Pond Chat / Re: Frost in July, the summer that wasn't

« on: July 16, 2009, 01:34:27 PM »

WOW - when I read the title I thought you lived in a place like northern Canada or Alaska (I've lived there), or some southern hemisphere country that is SUPPOSED to get frost now!!!  I never thought you lived only about and hour or 2 from where I live!!!  I am so sorry you are having that kind of summer.  While we have also had a much cooler summer than usual, we haven't gotten that cold - yet!  It was about 50 the past several nights though.

And yet today it is 84 "real feel is 89" right now and it feels like 200% humidity.  My husband hasn't turned on the switch outside for the AC yet, so I am sitting with a fan on the floor blowing me away.

Can I hitch a ride along to Hawaii pretty please???

476

Pond Chat / Re: water lily newbie question

« on: July 14, 2009, 06:56:02 AM »

Thanks sooks!

477

Pond Chat / Re: Moon Dance Anyone?

« on: July 13, 2009, 07:55:17 PM »

Beautiful!!!

But now you've got me singing that song!!! "It's a marvelous night for a moondance... la la laaa lala lalala la!

478

Pond Chat / Re: A Beautiful Day in Pennsylvania

« on: July 13, 2009, 07:46:37 PM »

They are beautiful fish regardless of where they are from!

We have the smallest WalMart in the company here, and they don't sell fish in ours.  But yours look very healthy and happy!

479

Pond Chat / Re: water lily newbie question

« on: July 13, 2009, 07:44:44 PM »

You can store tropical lilies by storing the tuber in damp sand. And using a sandwich baggie. There is room for that. LOL

That is good to know, Vickie, but there isn't necessarily room for that here - I take in a lot of tubers and plants each year, and need to be careful where I store them with 6 curious cats in the house!  Plus again... the price of the tropical lilies isn't in our budget right now - oh, well... I can dream...

480

Pond Chat / Re: water lily newbie question

« on: July 13, 2009, 07:21:49 PM »

Thanks sooks!

I can't do tropicals - no room indoors to overwinter them, plus they are way out of my price range unfortunately.  This has been a very interesting experience and I am thrilled that I got ONE bloom.  I will be even happier if I get more of course!