Messages

91

Bog Gardens / Re: New Koi Pond with Bog Garden Incorporated

« on: July 02, 2007, 01:02:13 PM »

Gee Tim, do you give other husbands lessons? 

very nice pond . . . .

Where do I sign my DH up??? Cost is no object.......... 

92

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Have you ever seen a colocasi like this?

« on: July 02, 2007, 12:57:01 PM »

Holy crap, that's HUGE! 

93

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: Does anyone have a Dauben for sale?

« on: July 01, 2007, 03:41:11 PM »

Did you find it? 

94

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: rules & etiquette of trading?

« on: July 01, 2007, 03:36:55 PM »

I've only purchased (no trades) from two members of the group so far, but I have been MORE than happy with what I received. The folks around here seem to go above and beyond the call of duty to please others. If all trades/purchases go even half as well as my first two purchases did, I wouldn't think anyone had anything to worry about around here.

Slightly off topic..... I was so smitten by the idea of trading (learned here) that I called a few local friends and suggested it. I spent yesterday happily planting a bunch of hostas and iris that I received as trade for lily of the vally and purple lilac trees.   

95

Pond Chat / Re: Question about Harbor Freight??

« on: June 30, 2007, 01:55:48 PM »

Being a serious bargain shopper, I love Harbor Freight! I have purchased quite a few items there, including the lights you mentioned, as well as the small solar powered fountain I have in my lilly pool (we have one about 15 min from us). It's one place the DH and I can go together and actually both enjoy it. 

96

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: Does anyone have a Dauben for sale?

« on: June 30, 2007, 05:01:27 AM »

Thank you. 

97

Chit Chat / Re: Atlanta trip planned next month- any advice?

« on: June 29, 2007, 06:20:57 PM »

I spent a couple weeks visiting a friend in Atlanta a few years ago (actually Marrietta, just outside of Atlanta). I really enjoyed it there! You must try and get to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It has an awesome aquatic plant pool filled with lotus, victoria lilies, hardy and tropical lilies. Oh and the Orchid Center is amazing.

98

Pond Chat / Re: around the pond and yard today....

« on: June 29, 2007, 05:39:47 PM »

A-ma-zing!! You must spend hours gardening! 


That does it. I'M MOVING SOUTH!!  :'(

99

Pond Chat / A great site for lilly identification/reference

« on: June 29, 2007, 05:30:14 PM »

I ran across this site while surfing. It has a large collection of pictures of various lillies!

http://www.geocities.com/lilypage808/index.html

100

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Does anyone have a Dauben for sale?

« on: June 29, 2007, 05:17:11 PM »

I'd like to add a Dauben tropical to my small collection. If anyone has one for sale, please let me know- or if you know of a reputable place to order them from.


Thank you! 

Amanda

101

Pond Chat / Re: New multi petal Tropical Hybrid

« on: June 29, 2007, 04:42:43 PM »

Beautiful! Glad it was saved from the deer.

Maybe Ed's wife needs to feed him more. He sounds a bit hungry.. 

102

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba' seeds (solid white "bleeding heart")

« on: June 29, 2007, 04:30:08 PM »

I have white bleeding heart seeds, if anyone would like some. Trade for anything perennial, or you may just have some. 

Perennial USDA zones: 3-9

White heart shaped petals on the outside and white petals on the inside. Three to fifteen flowers hang on racemes on arching stems. Partial shade, full sun if extra moisture is provided but better if shaded from hot midday sun, likes moist, fertile, humus rich soil.
 
Propagation Methods: Sow in containers and keep at temperatures of 64-71ºF (18-22ºC) for 2-4 weeks. Then move to reduced temperatures of 24-39ºF (-4 to +4ºC) for 4-6 weeks. Then move to temperatures of 41-53ºF5 (-12ºC) until the seeds germinate.

103

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Growing an Avocado Tree from Seed?

« on: June 29, 2007, 03:58:36 AM »

Avocado are usually $1-$2+ each up here, depending on the season. I suppose I might get tired of them if they were free and I could eat all I wanted. 
I'm going to try and grow it inside, but keep it cut back if it survives. Just a "kid at heart" science project for me. 

104

Photo Album / BUGS! :)

« on: June 28, 2007, 05:55:07 PM »

The first pic is of a neat red dragonfly, the second is an a odd bug with a southwest design on it's back (any attempts at id??), and the third is an unidentified hovering bee (fly?) that kept pestering me.

Oh how I wish I had a real camera!!!

105

Photo Album / Re: water clarity

« on: June 28, 2007, 05:46:13 PM »

Nice pics- beautiful water! It took me a minute to find the Hi-fin in the pic, but I finally spotted him. Looks like a pleco from that angle. I still plan to acquire one after I do some expanding. I did give away a few large comets when I learned how crowed my pond was. But I just can't part with any of my koi, even though I know my pond is going to be too small soon. SIGH...
My lucky wakin is still in the house in my tank because I am too scared to put him in the pond yet. He's growing fast though, so maybe in a week or so I'll get the nerve up to finally let him out. 

106

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Growing an Avocado Tree from Seed?

« on: June 28, 2007, 02:12:50 PM »

Hmm. Yep, sounds a bit large for a house plant. 

Maybe I'll give it a try anyway. Thanks for the info!

107

Pond Chat / Re: HOBBY LOBBY Big sale... my finds :))).......

« on: June 28, 2007, 01:44:29 PM »

Do an online search....we have one in Grand Rapids. 

I too LOVE the clam!    

Seems the closest one to here is in Saginaw, about an hour north of me. (Grand Rapids is about 2.5 hours away  )

Hmm, road trip for a clamshell........ 

108

Terrestrial Gardening / Growing an Avocado Tree from Seed?

« on: June 28, 2007, 01:37:02 PM »

One of my favorite foods is avocados; any way prepared- I love them. I just halved one while preparing dinner and noticed the seed is starting to split open and grow. Has anyone grown an avocado tree from seed? If so, how did you prepare it for planting, etc. I'm obviously not in a zone where it would survive outdoors, but I thought it could make an interesting house plant!

Amanda

109

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Dark blue Columbine Seeds Anyone? Last Call

« on: June 28, 2007, 01:32:00 PM »

I wonder if they are perennial in zone 5? I'd love to have some too; be glad to send postage and handling as well. PM me. 

110

Pond Chat / Re: Photo of the day

« on: June 28, 2007, 12:15:14 PM »

Excellent shot! It's one I would love to see put in a calendar! Maybe a "bugs and blooms" one, or even a dragonfly calendar.

111

Pond Chat / Re: HOBBY LOBBY Big sale... my finds :))).......

« on: June 28, 2007, 12:11:30 PM »

OMG I love the clamshell!! I've never even heard of Hobby Lobby; we probably don't have any around here.  :'(

112

Chit Chat / Re: Where ya from?

« on: June 28, 2007, 04:29:42 AM »

My paternal great-grandfather (Wilhelm Zaier) brought his wife and family here from Germany in the early 1900's. The original sir name was Von Zwickelmaier, which he shortened to Zaier shortly after settling in MI. He was a builder who played a key role in the development of Jackson, MI. My grandfather, Wilhelm's son, married my grandmother who was from Sweden. On my maternal side, my great-grandfather was supposedly a direct desendent of David Crockett and my great-grandmother's ancestors migrated here from Spain (her maiden name was "Spain"). I have no way to verify maternal side- just remember the old aunt's sitting on rocking chairs on the porch talking about it when I was very young (all are gone now). But I have documents and pictures of father's side. Quite a Heinz 57 combination, huh? 

My DH is related to Tina Turner.... 

Everyone has some pretty interesting stories!

113

Chit Chat / Calendar of member photos?

« on: June 28, 2007, 04:09:24 AM »

Someone should make calendars using some of the beautiful shots posted here (with individual permission of course- or by submission). Maybe a lilly one, a pond one, a koi one, etc. Proceeds could support the site or a charitable cause? I know I'd love to have a lilly calendar! Anyone here creative like that?

Jerry- What do you think? 

Amanda

114

Pond Chat / Re: best new hardy of 2004 and friend

« on: June 28, 2007, 04:01:01 AM »

Perfect timing. I often see the shed "skins" around, but I've never had the oportunity to see an actual morph. Great shot! The lilly is beautiful too, BTW.

Amanda

115

Pond Chat / Re: Night pond pics

« on: June 28, 2007, 03:56:47 AM »

Wow, that is beautiful! It looks so relaxing. Do you have trouble with algae growing on the lights?

116

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / bunny56lbc!!

« on: June 27, 2007, 03:41:11 PM »

Bonnie, I received my box today- Thank you for the best plants I've received yet!!! The red flare was such a pleasant surprise. I love the dark red pads! I just got them planted and in the water (still have to clean up my mess- ugh).

Thank you, thank you! 

Amanda

117

Photo Album / new pond pics

« on: June 27, 2007, 03:28:10 PM »

A couple updated shots of one of my ponds. I have more plant life in there for the fishes now.  

118

Terrestrial Gardening / Sedum Matrona

« on: June 27, 2007, 03:20:02 PM »

I love the pinkish stems, I wish my cheap camera could capture the lovely purple/pink hues of the leaves!

119

Photo Album / A few pics of my lily ponds

« on: June 27, 2007, 03:12:36 PM »

The first pic is of my tropical lily pond, with the blues that Kat and Bonnie (bunny56lbc) sent me (and a red that Bonnie so sweetly threw in!!). 

The second pic is my small fish pond with a Pamela that wouldn't fit into the tropical pool.

The third pic is my "pea soup" hardy pond. 

Can't hardly wait till they resemble Timgod's ponds...  (yeah right)

120

Photo Album / Re: Lily Floral Boquets

« on: June 27, 2007, 03:05:14 PM »

I'm working on my patience. 
Here's an updated shot of the hardy lilly pool. The pea soup water has begun to thin, and I think they are filling in a bit. Last week we had some cold nights, but this week has been humid and HOT! I think the lillies much prefer this weather!