Author Topic: Signs of spring (Read 3120 times)

Zoe · « **on:** March 02, 2012, 12:40:07 PM »

Anyone seeing signs of spring? Besides string algae? I had lilies blooming this week. Crazy weather.

Indiana Karen · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2012, 02:32:33 PM »

We have been hearing peepers for three or four days now. Yesterday was beautiful! Worked in the yard all day then went fishing. Caught a nice batch of bluegill for supper. I love spring.

reddad35 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2012, 10:46:38 AM »

yes tornados

Indiana Karen · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2012, 01:43:28 PM »

After two days of unbelievably nice weather, we were hit with severe storms Friday.
I think these are the biggest hailstones we have ever had here at our house.

Julles · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2012, 04:04:27 PM »

Wow, Karen, those are just like I saw on the news coverage, after the tornados. Are you OK there in Indiana?

Back to Zoe's question, I was the Pond Society meeting today, and the host had three lilies blooming in her pond. In my yard, we have turtles mating like crazy, and koi getting fat and ready to follow suit. I heard some tree frogs at a client's house last night ( but none at my place

). Three of my female budgies have deep red ceres, a sign of being in breeding condition.

Oh, and the utility companies are getting ready to tear up our streets again, a sure sign of a new season.

SueSTx · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2012, 04:37:00 PM »

I saw a robin again this week. We are supposed to be 65* and beautiful tomorrow and then back to winter.

Zoe · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2012, 05:42:46 PM »

We went and checked on the daycare garden I take care of today. I counted four tropical blooms. I have done nothing to these lilies yet. I plan on spending time outside tomorrow. I hope everyone is safe.

Cindy

purplepshn2004 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2012, 08:03:59 PM »

I have seen dozens of Robins in my yard, heard frogs chirping, and my lotus are coming back to life ( two short shoots each in two containers and a shoot at lease 7 inches long in the third). I guess I need to get to cleaning and dividing them ASAP!

As far as my yard plants go, all five clematis growing, have four hostas that have broke ground, so far one easter lily, cannas, tulips, and daffodills. Even one of my Amarllys(?). Also my trumpet vine. All my other perenials are showing new life also. Only things that haven't done anything yet are the elephant ears and the caladium.

I'm sure I forgot some, but you get the idea.

Happy Spring all!

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2012, 11:28:53 AM »

Two weeks ago my daffodils were blooming strongly. Today they are fried from the 80* we have been experiencing. We change our clocks next week too!

skarol98 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2012, 09:39:16 AM »

Does hardy lilies come back?

SueSTx · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2012, 10:01:39 AM »

Yes if hardy lilies didn't freeze solid in the pots, they should come back. Last February, we had such a hard long freeze thst I had ice on the tips of the pots and all of mine came back.

Do they have any tiny leaves on them now? Mine usually have a few tiny pads all winter.

Esther · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2012, 12:12:33 PM »

We saw our first Michigan robin today. WAAAAAY early.

skarol98 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2012, 08:00:13 PM »

Yep tgey still have some pads but tge look kind od dead but my pond is loaded with algae so i wasnt sure . It look nastyyy

EagleEye · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2012, 06:29:49 PM »

I was sitting out on the swing last week and two robins were in the tree overhead, and I'm in love-------------------JK

Steve

Jerry · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2012, 06:38:23 PM »

We missed you Steve!!

Michiponder · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2012, 09:02:18 AM »

Always know spring is coming soon when I start seeing things like Sandhill Cranes, Turkey vultures, Redwing Blackbirds and Robins haning around regularly. Been seeing them now for a few weeks. Unusual wimter here. Had a couple of Robins that never left for most of the winter. Don't know if they are still here though. Saw a redtail hawk diving at them last about a month ago.

EagleEye · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2012, 06:26:49 PM »

Signs of spring?

The ice is starting to melt. That's a start.
Steve

SueSTx · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2012, 07:17:07 PM »

Lots of robins again and the red wing blackbirds flew over Friday

perplexed ponder · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2012, 10:37:25 AM »

Michiponder, hasn't it been great? My entire pond never had more than a very thin coating of ice and not for more than a day at a time!
My FIL and Son are going to try to get our falls started this week so maybe Matt can sit by the pond a bit. My darned water is still so green that you can't see much of the fish until they surface though.

skarol98 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2012, 10:02:59 PM »

Can someone share a video on how to pot plants like poppys? I order some online but have no idea how to pott or what soil to use that will not kill me fishies

Help please

Michiponder · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2012, 05:04:23 PM »

Been a very warm winter here Perplexed. Been so warm I could not even trim the willows over the earth bottom pond. Did not even have enough ice to walk out to them. Guess they will just have to grow to the water this year unless I decide to go swiming. Usually the ponds are open and running by now. I am going on vacation for a couple of weeks so even though it is warm enough I decided to leave them covered till early April. Can't do the job right now anyway as my arm is in a splint. Too bad the fish gotta miss the early spring wheather this year. With the sneaky little mink seen around here latey it's probably for the best. Being a fairly new pond I'm not suprised you have green water. Maybe with this warm spell it will clear quickly.

Mikel

perplexed ponder · « **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2012, 07:40:35 PM »

Geez Mike I hope it clears. We fought it all last summer and it never got cold enough to kill off the algae. I don't like to use toxic chemicals because the dogs think it's their personal water bowl. I did a good size water change the past 2 days for a total of 1/4-1/3 the pond. Absolutely not any better, grrrrr.
Sorry your arm is in a splint, what did you do to it? Where you going on your trip?

Julles · « **Reply #22 on:** March 13, 2012, 08:37:56 PM »

skarol - you mean water poppies?

Why not start a new thread with just this topic, so other people reading the Pond Chat forum will see it and respond.

In the meantime, here is one on potting lilies: http://nelsonwatergardens.com/how-to-repot-your-hardy-waterlily/

skarol98 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 13, 2012, 11:02:38 PM »

Yes poppies

but what can of soil should i use?

Michiponder · « **Reply #24 on:** March 14, 2012, 04:27:22 AM »

Have you ever tried flocculants Kathy? I have used them om occasion and find they work in a few hours. They cause the tiny particles or pea soup algae to clump together and sink. Works better if you have a strong filter to then suck them out. Have also used quilt batting in my skimmer to help clear it, but you have to change it very often to keep it from clogging. Just wore the arm out so had some surgery on the elbow and wrist. Hope that worked. Going down the east coast visiting family for a week. Then on a cruise to the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands.

Mikel

tweetybaby2005 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 14, 2012, 09:50:55 AM »

It truly is Spring. Birds are chirping, dogs barking (unfortunately they are mine

) and the pear trees are in full bloom! We really didn't have much winter. Had less than 3" of snow, i think. I will have to wait till mid to late April before I can open the pond. Hope the nice warm Spring weather continues.

Happy Spring ponding, everyone!

Kuan