Ambiance
Read the article this discussion is about
- Renie_Burghardt
- CarolWallace
- VickiPaull
- VickiPaull
- CarolWallace
- VickiPaull
- Renie_Burghardt
This archived discussion is "read only".
For the corresponding "live" discussions, post in the active topic forum here.
» Renie_Burghardt - Ambiance!
Hi Vicki,What great ideas! My pond is rustic as well, and I let Nature do most of the decorating. However, I have a bit of a problem with it this year, and I'm hoping you can help. Algae! The algae has developed into a problem. How do I get rid of it? Someone said to add a whole bunch of baking soda, and that would clear up most of it. Do you know if this would work without harming the fish? Or is there some other product I could use safely? I would appreciate any input on this. Thanks, Vicki.
-- posted by Renie_Burghardt
» CarolWallace - My ambiance
The big pond area is the only part of my property where I have lots of hot colored flowers and tropical looking things. That's because we get to sit in a shady gazebo to look at it. I don't mind looking at reds and yellows when I'm relatively cool. So I'm having fun with clumping bamboos and huge-leafed tropical looking plants like Rheum palmatum and cannas and caladium.Quite unlike my small pond which is only 5' in diameter and octagonal - quite subdued. Vicki - I like the way you expressed it - that your pond was becoming a certain style - as though you are listening to it and it is telling you what it wants to be.
-- posted by CarolWallace
» VickiPaull - Algea!
Well, the most interesting solution for algea that I have run across is Scotch Barley Straw. You put it into a mesh bag and float it in your pond and it will combat all types of algea. It is supposed to be very effective.Certain bacteria cultures will break up and consume the organic matter in your pond and starve the algea. You can find both of these treatments at many pond suppliers. My article On-Line Shopping has many links.
Shading as much of the water surface as possible will also help. Lily leaves and other floaters really help with that, although I have read where some float plastic lids or fake lilies just for shade. Finally be carful not to over fertilize.
Pond On!
-- posted by VickiPaull
» VickiPaull - By the way. . . .
Carol,We are building a gazebo. I can't wait until it is done! My husband plans on putting a hot tub in it. We think listening to the waterfall as we soak will be a great way to end the day.
-- posted by VickiPaull
» CarolWallace - Barley straw
I've heard people swear by that one, too! Only I could never figure out where to get it. It took forever for our water lilies to get vigorous enough to cover enough of the pond surface to help control algae and so finally we got one of those ultraviolet things that gets rid of it - a bit on the steep side, but it worked beautifully.Have you had any success with the enzymes and things you put into the pond to control algae? We tried them - we could even see the particles of algae clinging to them in little clumps - but never enough to make an appreciable difference.
-- posted by CarolWallace
» VickiPaull - Enzymes
I read about them on a news group and a number of posters swear by them. I have never had an algae problem, my pond is in the shade, so I just get a little in early spring but it clears up once everything leafs out. Once I had some string algae--Yuck! But I got rid of it by twirling it out, sort of like spaghetti, just twirl it up on a stick. Good compost material.-- posted by VickiPaull
» Renie_Burghardt - Thanks!
Thanks for the tips. I will try the barley straw, if I can get a hold of some. As for shade, my pond gets a lot of shade. It's surrounded by trees. This is the first year I've had the algea problem. And the pond is a little too big for twirling the algea out, unless I'd get into a row boat and do it from there. But the straw might work. Thanks again!-- posted by Renie_Burghardt
Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion.