Attached are a few photos of the large pond (small lake??) next to my vacation house in the panhandle of Florida.
What variety of water lily do you think this is?
New to ponds, so assume I know NOTHING.
The history of the pond: Natural pond on a small island next to the Blackwater River (less than 40 yards away from this pond). The lake house was the first house built on the island, in 1988. There are numerous other bodies of water within a stone's throw (e.g., other ponds, a slough, and the Blackwater River). None of these other bodies of water have any water lilies, so I'm speculating that the lilies in this pond were introduced, rather than being native.
Yes, the water is black, hence the name by native Americans of the adjacent river as the Blackwater River. Actually, the water is simply tannic (tea-colored), so more than a couple of feet of it creates a very black look. Although it is tannic, it is very unpolluted. I think I read on some website that the Blackwater River is the 3rd least polluted river in the U.S.
The Blackwater River empties into Pensacola Bay, just 10 miles away. So the pond level is slightly affected by the tides (about a 6" rise and fall). But the pond water (and river) are freshwater, being too far upstream to be salty or brackish.
2nd question: Since the pond is full of ENORMOUS turtles, I assume my chances of ever having koi there are zilch, right?
Thanks in advance for your insight and sharing your knowledge!
