pond in frederick, md

[CountryEscape]

I've never done anything to save the fry or eggs, and last year was my first spawn that I'm aware of (the year before I just got the koi, and the largest was maybe 7-8"). I have 4 babies that was all I noticed last summer, and they all 4 made it to this year. They are growing like weeds, at least 5" now. I don't hope for large production either. I encourage them to eat all the eggs that are produced. Frogs are welcome to the feast and so are the dragon fly nymphs. I'm ok with what I have now, but soon will need to be thinning my group down as well. Guess I shouldn't wait until they get sick or some die before I decide to do it! Just VERY difficult to catch fish this time of year, so not even going to try. I guess the best time would be early spring, when the water is still pretty chilly, and the fish are maybe somewhat slower moving, and before plants begin to grow. Flashlight netting seemed to work for me this spring, so will try that next spring, and think out the goldfish pond and koi pond, put the fish in the 55 gal aquarium I bought just for this purpose.

 

[CometKeith]

CE, I have the same issue, still have 22 goldfish babies from last year and some are getting bigger now! I haven't seen any babies this year yet.

 

[addy1]

I have seen a few babies, mainly in the new 1000 gallon stock tank, it only had 8 shubunkins in it, so room for a few to survive. I am sure there is some fry in the big pond, just have not seen any. I do end up seeing some fry in the preforms, the eggs must travel through the pump, down the hose, down the little water fall into the preform. There are no gf residents in those ponds, just some rosey reds for mosquito control.

I have the doors open, the resident deck pond frog is croaking away, 55 outside, lil missy is trying to figure out what the heck that noise is!

 

[j.w]

I'm only seeing about 3 or 4 babies in the floating net ring this year. That's ok w/ me as it's starting to get crowded in this pond of mine. Think I have at least 40 fish or more now.

 

[addy1]

Just found some tiny tiny fry in my deck pond, the deck pond only had a two small shubbies in it. The fry either came up from the big pond via the pump and plumbing or the small shubbies had kids. The frogs made happy again! tons of frog eggs in the deck pond, no wonder they were so loud last night.

My pink lotus has now bloomed.






The dragon flies like to rest on the seed pods.



Found this little one in the bog giving me the eye for messing with his plants.



The hibiscus opened up, the bloom is the first of many, 8 inches in size



Butterflies everywhere, more than I have seen in years





hummingbird moth

 

[gardengirl]

Pond and garden looking beautiful! Pics are gorgeous. Did you have a good weather day?

 

[addy1]

It was beautiful, cooler than it has been, no humidity.

I was pulling bag worms off the bushes, darn things will kill them. Anyway straddling the stream, just felt something was wrong, looked down at my left foot, I had 25-30 hornets swarming my leg, did not take the time to count them. My foot was right by their under the rock nest. These are the ones that make the paper nest. They did not sting me once, but then again I moved darn fast, running down the rocks.

 

[gardengirl]

Oh so lucky! I had yellow jackets sting me on my legs and all the spots turned black! Did not lose any skin but it swelled up pretty bad. I always look around when im mowing the yard now!

 

[CountryEscape]

Oh, my wasps on your legs, I would have FREAKED! I've gotten so much better with bees, after having my pond and knowing that all bugs are good in one way or another ... well maybe not mosquitos ... so I tell myself to remain calm. Plus, I've not had any ground bee (yellow jackets) nests in my yard or on my property, so that helps. They attack, doesn't matter, if you are close. They are vicious. The bumble bees I'm sure have a nest in my hay barn, but for the life of me I've never found it, nor have I ever been stung. When I work out there, I do it in the early spring or winter, when they are less active, or hibernating. I painted that roof, and was SURE I would get stung, and had to keep telling myself to quit looking at them when they hovered in my face! I am afraid of heights as much as bees, so that was a challenge. Too far to jump without breaking something, so had to keep taking deep breaths, and pay attention to my spray painting job. They are still out there, just fly around me, never attack, so maybe I have friendly bumble bees! They sure like my flowers in the yard, and are never threatening when on flowers, only near nests.
Your lotus is so beautiful, thanks for taking the time to take the "time action" photos to show it's progression in bloom opening. And, butterflies are bountiful here, but I sure seldom see the tiger swallowtail so I am very envious of you for those beautiful pics! I guess if I keep expanding my flower source, they will come eventually. LOL, and I'm sure doing my best to expand!

 

[j.w]

Such beauty in your huge yard addy. It's filled w/ color everywhere! That lotus is so pretty and delicate looking.

I freak out w/ yellow jackets and one would be bad but as many as you had I would still be running! Glad they did not hurt you.

 

[addy1]

I was lucky they were not yellow jackets, if they were I would have been in deep trouble. It was those larger brown blackish hornets. I don't think they are as aggressive as the yellow jackets. I watch for the yellow ones, have killed off 4 under the ground nests. I was trying to leave them alone, but after being stung 4 times in one summer, I am at war with them. One got my delicate booooobie...........poor thing was red and sore for months.
I have not seen any yellow jackets this summer, I did wipe out two huge ground nests in the fall. I am sure they are around somewhere......

The bumble bees, some loud large yellow brown bees, and honey bees are everywhere in our yard, but they pay no attention to me when I am out there working.

It looks like I might get some decent seeds this year from the lotus, if I do I will offer them up to anybody who wants them. They have always been shrunk and skinny seeds, this year they look really plump. You can see the size of the seeds where the dragon fly is sitting.

I have a lot of butterfly bushes, the swallow tails just love them, one in the front yard usually has 5-10 on it at one time.

Wish I could catch it on video the constant movement of them around the yard, the nature dance never stops.

 

[CountryEscape]

Sadly, the lotus seeds I started, 11 of 12 sprouted, put them in a very large pot with kitty litter and about 4-6" of water ... all seem to have died. I guess I am just not meant to be a lotus keeper! Darn!!! And, I can't blame it on seeds being from maybe non-hardy lotus, since they have only been sprouted and outside for a month. Wondering what I'm doing wrong? You sure have it figured out, Addy. I think you said you have moving water, air or something, so water doesn't go stagnant. I was swapping out water every 2-3 days, but maybe that disturbed the sprouts too much, don't know.

 

[mrsclem]

CE- I had 18 I started from seed. They were doing well in the 2 gal. buckets in my holding tank. Then I started the pond water circulating thru it and lost 6. Thinking it was due to the change in water level. I guess you are not supposed to change the water level too much. I added about 8-10 inches. The rest are doing well and starting to send up leaves above the water.

 

[j.w]

I'll just enjoy your lotus addy as I can't grow them here either. Think it's just not warm enough for them or ?

I see the hummers coming to my Crocosmia's now and I've noticed we have more butterflies this year than ever also. Must have something to do w/ the mild winter we had. Don't mind if I have another one of those nice mild winters thank you :blueflower:

 

[gardengirl]

It looks like I might get some decent seeds this year from the lotus, if I do I will offer them up to anybody who wants them. They have always been shrunk and skinny seeds, this year they look really plump. You can see the size of the seeds where the dragon fly is sitting.

I am interested in trying some lotus seeds if they come available. Maybe here in Tennessee the weather will be good to grow them.