Messages

91

Pond Chat / Re: Jack-in-the-pulpit & Punks too

« on: June 30, 2007, 07:30:11 AM »

Our native Jacks are pretty easy.  It is the fancy Asian species that are a little trickier.

I don't think your plant is an Arisaema, though.  It looks like a cousin, Pinellia:

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/shade_gardening/100347

Should be very easy...if not a little vigorous!

I'm trying Pinellia tripartita 'Dragon Tails' this year.  Looks just like your's, except it variegated green and gold.  Very cool 

92

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: The hosta guy, Made in the Shade Gardens

« on: June 30, 2007, 06:56:20 AM »

Never ordered from him, but know people who have.  Rob's a nice guy and has a couple super Hosta intros!

93

Pond Chat / Re: check out this neat pond plant! Hey JoshS.. you were right.......

« on: June 29, 2007, 07:28:10 AM »

It says it will grow in my zone 5 .

I've had it overwinter below the ice here in z4.

94

Pond Chat / Re: Pond plant id please.....

« on: June 25, 2007, 07:38:39 AM »

The second picture is water plantain...Alisma sp (maybe Alisma plantago-aquatica).

It will have 100's of tiny white flowers on that spike.  Similar to baby's breath.  Cut off the spike immediately after it blooms or it will reseed everywhere!

Very hardy...it freezes solid here in zone 4 without a problem.

95

Pond Chat / Re: check out this neat pond plant! Hey JoshS.. you were right.......

« on: June 25, 2007, 07:28:28 AM »

Anemopsis californica

Yup, that runner is what I was talking about!

96

Pond Chat / Re: Help! Nasty, slimy pea soup lily pond water

« on: June 23, 2007, 07:48:37 AM »

It needs time.  You just put the system together a week ago and it's going to take a couple weeks to balance itself.

No more water changes...you're just adding fuel (nutrients) to the fire.

No more algaecide...it's hard on your plants.

Things you can do...

Add more oxygenators.  Some floaters like hyacinths and lettuce will help, too.

You could try any of the many bacteria products.

Most of all...just be patient!

97

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Gunnera hits 18 feet

« on: June 19, 2007, 07:40:59 AM »

Awesome!

98

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: What's your favorite shade plant?

« on: June 06, 2007, 08:22:08 AM »

Hostas!

But there are lots of other cool companions, too...

Dicentra...I especially love 'Gold Heart' and the little ever blooming fern leaf bleeding hearts.

Arisaema

Epimedium

Brunnera...the silver foliage types are great.

Cimicifuga

Tricyrtus...lots of great variegated cultivars

Martagon lilies

Primula kisoana

Polygonatum

Polygonum...Stairway to Heaven is a good variegated one.

Podophyllum...the Asian species & new hybrids are nice.

Helleborus

Heucheras & Tiarellas

Trillium

That will give you a start 

99

Pond Chat / Re: Some pics of today and some questions.. bog.. plant id.. and lotus bud :)

« on: June 04, 2007, 07:16:53 AM »

Anemopsis californica - Tame Herb or Yerba Mansa

It is a bog/aquatic plant.  It does spread by stolons, so you may want to keep an eye on it.  Blooms all summer.

100

Pond Chat / Re: Water Hyacinth Question

« on: June 03, 2007, 07:57:11 AM »

They will grow fine in the shade, but they may not bloom.

They are very difficult to keep alive indoors.  They need lots of bright light and warmth.  It is usually cheaper and easier to replace them every spring.

101

Pond Chat / Re: Plants for Shady Ponds

« on: May 22, 2007, 07:46:11 AM »

Water Snowflake is what you're thinking of 

Most anything that doesn't bloom will do ok in the shade. 

The "Little Giant" Papyrus does well in shade.

Monkey Flower (Mimulus) likes part shade.

Water Lettuce does well in shade.

102

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Cyperus albomarginata 'Starburst'

« on: April 28, 2007, 11:12:54 AM »

Well, I guess I'm in good company, Tammie  :'(  Though, I did manage to save about 1/2 of mine.

103

Pond Chat / Re: joyce- Concolor fir, serbian spruce- what are your opinions?

« on: April 04, 2007, 08:24:43 AM »

Hope you don't mind me jumping in, here 

Just something to consider when you want to prune a large growing conifer to control size...what will you do when it gets too tall to prune the entire tree?  The lower 8' (?) will be narrower and denser from the pruning, but everything above your reach will be "normal" growth.  It will make for a very un-natural looking tree, IMO.

Why not use an intermediate sized conifer?  Smaller/slower growing than the species, but not dwarf.  Or a fastigiate variety...one that stays narrower than normal.  There are such varieties of both Abies concolor and Picea omorika, I'm sure.  I can't recommend any specific cultivars, though...sorry.

Another thing...A. concolor has the most amazing purple cones!!

Maybe none of this is applicable...but there are so many conifer cultivars that it seems like it would be better to find one that fits your need than to buy something that is going to be a problem in the long run.

104

Pond Chat / Re: Koi and Victoria?

« on: April 03, 2007, 08:38:06 AM »

Don't fish get damaged when spawning ?

It's never been a problem for me, but I guess it could be.  I guess it never crossed my mind, because spawning is usually finished before it is warm enough for the Vics to go out.

105

Pond Chat / Re: Koi and Victoria?

« on: April 02, 2007, 07:49:09 AM »

I've done it for a number of years.  The koi will learn to leave the thorns alone...just be sure there is enough room to feed them where they don't have to go after food among the thorny pads.  Koi are rambunctious feeders and could get pricked if they go flopping in the pads.  Then they get skittish.

The biggest danger is if a koi jumps up onto a pad.  The raised lip makes it difficult to get back into the water.  I have a friend who lost a large koi because of this.  I did lose a small goldfish like this last year, but that was a first for me.

Over all, they are compatible.

106

Pond Chat / Re: I let a pro vacuum my pond, and he said....

« on: April 02, 2007, 07:40:14 AM »

That is nonsense!  I use a PVIII on my liner ponds...it isn't that powerful.  I actually wish it was more powerful so it could handle tree leaves better.

107

Pond Chat / Re: lotus/winter question

« on: April 02, 2007, 07:37:42 AM »

The moving water isn't a big problem with lotus, but the tubers can not freeze.

108

Pond Chat / Re: Question about mixing of different fish in the same pond...

« on: March 13, 2007, 07:49:18 AM »

Cath, I'm in the east-central part of the state...north of Cedar Rapids and east of Waterloo.  Do you ever make it out this way?

I think goldfish/koi crosses are pretty uncommon, but not impossible.

109

Pond Chat / Re: Question about mixing of different fish in the same pond...

« on: March 12, 2007, 07:26:58 AM »

Wakins are just comets with a double tail...basically.  They should be fine together.

110

Pond Chat / Re: &%$^# String Algae

« on: March 07, 2007, 09:03:09 AM »

I have to say if your only having to clean it monthly you are lucky.

I agree.  If your goal is to keep the rock from turning green, it won't happen.  I'm wondering if what you have really is string algae (loooong strings) or just a film of fuzzy green algae (the good stuff)?

If it is SA, you might try PondBalance.  It is pretty affective and safe for fish and the other plants.

Otherwise, I think your idea of turning the pump off and pouring H2O2 over the rock would work.  H2O2 breaks down so fast, I don't see how it would harm your beneficial bacteria.  Heck, people add it by the bottle full in some cases.  The info in the link above is from a bacteria manufacturer...take it for what its worth...

There is actually a product designed specifically for removing algae from waterfalls in the exact way you want to use the H2O2, but I'm drawing a blank on the name.  A sprinkle of salt would work, too, if you don't mind adding salt to your pond.

111

Pond Chat / Re: Victorias - Hey Craig

« on: February 28, 2007, 07:54:32 AM »

The few times I did Vics from seed, I used Super Thrive in the cocktail...I could never find the SeaMate.  It worked ok, but I just let Craig baby them now.  They are much less fussy as teens 

112

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Planting Hostas

« on: February 23, 2007, 02:22:47 PM »

Have you seen hostas growing successfully in your area?  Hostas need a cold dormancy (about 40 days at or below 40*F...soil temp).  Without that cold dormancy the plants get smaller and smaller until they die.  I'm not sure Hostas are going to do very well for you

If you want to give it ago, the hybrids with Hosta plantaginea in them are going to be your best bet.  H. plantaginea is native to sub-tropical China, so it is more tolerant of heat and warmer winters.  It is also the only fragrant Hosta species, a trait most of its hybrids inherit!

Some to try:

Guacamole
Fragrant Bouquet
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Bananas
Fragrant Dream
Aphrodite
Venus
Holy Mole
Avocado

There are many more.

113

Pond Chat / Re: Ideal size pots for tropical lilies?

« on: February 07, 2007, 08:22:07 AM »

Bigger Pot = Bigger Plant = Bigger & More Flowers

It's all directly related.

You can grow a decent sized plant in a 10"-12" pot, but most tropicals need a larger pot to reach their potential.  I grow my display plants in 16"x7" tubs.  The leaf spread on these can easily reach 6' across with multiple flowers most days.

Don't forget the fertilizer.  It's hard to over fertilize an actively growing tropical lily.

114

Pond Chat / Re: Starting to Download my Vacation Pix...DONE!!!

« on: February 01, 2007, 08:54:21 AM »

What a great trip you must have had, Joyce!  The view the Knotts have is amazing!!  Your pictures will help pass this cold day 

...now what to do about the week long sub-zero blast coming...

115

Pond Chat / Re: Summer Pictures

« on: January 12, 2007, 07:57:40 AM »

LOL...thanks, Esther!

Believe me, though...I have lots of photos that are no where as good as mediocre!

116

Pond Chat / Re: Summer Pictures

« on: January 11, 2007, 07:35:52 AM »

Vickie...I'm not sure if Foxfire tubered or not.  I haven't checked, but it is in the greenhouse.

117

Pond Chat / Re: Summer Pictures

« on: January 10, 2007, 08:01:19 AM »

Thanks, everyone...glad you enjoyed the pics!  Even the mediocre photos look good this time of year 

Colorado is hard to beat, isn't it, Joyce?  I don't think it was without a flower all summer.

SA - This is our largest of 3 ponds @ about 30x20x3.  It doesn't look so big when it is full of plants!

I'll try to post more photos from last year periodically.  Maybe even a few hosta pics for good measure    Joyce...have you seen the new Plant Delights catalog, yet?  How about that 'Stitch in Time'? 

118

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Pink flowered strawberry.

« on: January 10, 2007, 07:48:37 AM »

I can't really help...I don't even know the name of my pink flowered strawberry, but it runs.  A lot!

Maybe your first plant just needed time to settle in before it started to run???

119

Pond Chat / Summer Pictures

« on: January 09, 2007, 07:44:41 AM »

I didn't share many photos over the summer, so thought I might post a few...

120

Pond Water Quality / Re: How important is water testing?

« on: December 28, 2006, 08:14:08 AM »

If you pay close attention to your fish, you should be able to notice changes in their behavior.  When they start acting strange, then test.  I've found testing the water regularly makes many ponders - especially newbies - paranoid.  Particularly when testing pH, because all the books tell you a pH of 7 is what you should try for.