|
This issue of PondStuff was prepared especially for Brett
Fogle,
Welcome to the February issue of PondStuff! After a brief
hiatus, we're back online ready to help you get your ponds in
tip top shape for the Spring. For those of us in northern
climates, it's been a fairly mild winter. Almost hard to believe
that it's winter. This month, we'll take a look at the Winter
Landscape. Then talk about the benefits of algae in your pond.
We'll learn how to pick a winning koi and plan a fantastic
expansion product.
And finally, we'll dig deep into the life of a koi and
examine their winter woes. Happy reading!
|
THE BENEFITS OF ALGAE IN THE POND |
 |
You might be surprised to find out that it is ALIVE and
swims in the water. One type, Philodina, (a Rotifer
which removes harmful bacteria in the pond) looks
exactly like flukes, even being the same size!
With the modern pond owners having such high-tech
conveniences, such as state of the art microscopes, I
can see how we can get ourselves into big trouble if we
identify a parasite which is a plant and treat the pond
accordingly, can even contribute to pond "crash" and
dead fish. I already knew the koi's worst enemy is its
owner, but this brings us to a whole other level. The
focus needs to be on the internal ecosystem of the pond,
rather than any single threat. Algae, comprised of
several types, are the "good guys" in the pond.
Today you should be able to really understand the
process of going from "new pond" to established
ecosystem for the health of your koi. For instance, if
Fluke tabs were to be used on Philodina, it would
destroy the Philodina population and a short while later
you would see Aeromonas as the koi's immune system drops
precipitously.
Continue Reading... »
|
|
CHOOSING A WINNER |
|
|
My first koi cost me a whopping $30.00 at the local pet
shop and was purchased simply because I needed a fish
that was large enough (10") and light-colored to show up
in a pea-soup algae bloom! I put in the small pond about
two weeks prior but was having no luck in enjoying the
beautiful goldfish and shubunkin that were in the pond
already. I tried everything I could think of, and
naturally, everything I thought of was wrong so the pea
soup algae continued to flourish. Even the $30.00
10-inch Yamabuki koi disappeared in the soup! That was
the year 1992.
More Reading... »
|
|
EXPANSION PROJECTS |
|
|
"Little did we know when we put in the preformed pond
and bought our first small koi that in three short years
we would be digging another pond!"
Over the years this has become a common occurrence in
the koi hobby! Initially, when buying the first lovely
little fish, none of us really comprehend the enormity
adventure and commitment of which we are embarking.
The second pond is usually just slightly larger than
the first, but by the third or fourth try, we really
understand the needs of koi! We also have begun to
realize how fast they grow. But by the third or fourth
pond, most people are tired of digging and think about
calling in somebody to do the dirty work for them.
Expand your project... »
|
|
WINTER WOES? |
|
|
I wonder what my fish are thinking under that ice. I
live in the north in the USA, and for about 2-3 months a
year the pond is covered by ice. I keep a small hole
open for the gas exchange, but I can't see my fish. What
is going on under there? Did you ever wonder?
Well, that would depend upon how carefully you
cleaned their pond before the cold weather set in. There
are a few scenarios that might be happening under the
ice, and hopefully everybody is okay down there.
How are my koi?... »
|
|
|
THE WINTER LANDSCAPE |
 |
|
At the first sign of fall, I feel a sadness and loss.
The summer was too short! All the beautiful flowers that
have perfumed my days are now nodding their heads and
dropping leaves. The trees are turning colors and some
are already bare. I know it will soon be time to close
the windows and stay inside where it is warm. No longer
can I enjoy feeding my fish or pruning the roses. The
time for leaf clean-up is here. The ground takes on a
brownish color that makes me weary, lonely, and down at
heart. For years, living in the same place, I have
watched the seasons change and the same thing always
happens. I live in New York and I hate the cold weather
as much now as I did as a kid.
There are some preparations that can make winter a
bit more enjoyable in the colder regions. One thing I
always enjoyed in winter was the silhouette of the bare
trees against the white snow. Some trees have just the
most gorgeous shapes that are hidden in summer, only
undressing for us when we have nothing else to see. By
pruning or training the young trees I will have
something beautiful to see in winters. Also by shopping
for trees with special bark, or contorted shapes, you
can always enjoy the scenery, with or without leaves. In
my yard, I chose the lovely white birch, white pine,
evergreen taxis hedge, stately Japanese maple dissecta
(with careful February pruning), and other maples. In
the front yard I will enjoy the Red Twig Dogwood because
I cut back the shoots annually to assure the bright red
colors next winter. It is placed next to the deep green
of a mugho pine.
Read On... |
|
