MAY  2013       

 
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   California Water Lilies 
          A Tropical Oasis in Your Backyard!

  Sweetheart Artichoke Company
Gourmet Artichoke plants from Southern California.
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The PondwPlant Girl  Since April 1999

I will teach you how to Grow Your own Water Garden Big or Small
Any Climate Hot or Cold
 
Thank you for sharing your garden pictures and ideas with me.  2013 will bring more how-to garden videos!  We will have pond tours, and exciting new pond plants too!  My goal for 2013 is to only grow what feeds me... including artichoke plants, alfalfa,  and asparagus too.  I also plan to be involved in 4-H and teach gardening classes from my home nursery.  Need advice?  I am here to help you succeed. 

Our Website is Currently being Remodeled.  Watch the Changes Daily!!!!


Beautiful Spider Lily for pond or garden plant Florikan Aquatic Plant Fertilizer
Fertilizer
2 Baby Water Lettuce and 2 Baby Water Hyacinth floating pond plants
Floating Plants
21 Floating Pond Plants with Pond Safe Highland Rim Aquatic Fertilizer
Water Lily
Florikan Nutricote Professional Grade Aquatic Pond Plant Fertilizer 13-13-13
Water Lotus
21 Floating Pond Plants with Pond Safe Highland Rim Aquatic Fertilizer
Rush and Reeds
Panama Pacific Purple Tropical Water Lily with Florikan Aquatic Plant Fertilizer
Water Iris
21 Floating Pond Plants with Pond Safe Highland Rim Aquatic Fertilizer
Plant Packages
The Pond Plant Girl made it on national Fox TV News!
I am sad to say that I actually missed the broadcast. However, I was able to view it online. I was a little embarrassed that she showed my kiddy pool ponds... but when times are lean they work perfectly. 

New Ponds and Algae:  If you have a new pond or new pool-pond, remember that algae grows easily in first season ponds. A natural cure for this is coverage. Add plenty of hornwort or anacharis, water hyacinth, and water lettuce too. In hot climates, you can also purchase awshadewcloth. This can be purchased online, and I recommend 25% shade if you desire blooming plants.

 
Hardy Water Lilies for Hot and Cold Climates Tropical Water Lilies for All Climates
Colorado $15.95
Hardy Day Blooming  Hardy zone 4-11
Panama Pacific $19.95
Tropical Day blooming Viviparous Hardy zone 9-11
Good for all ponds including earthen ponds. Excellent bloomer and easy to grow in container ponds.  Shipped bare root with leaves and buds ready for planting. 

FERTILIZER Also included is Florikan Aquatic Plant Fertilizer.  Safe for all aquatic life, wild life, and pets.  Place fertilizer pellets at the bottom of the container.  Florikan is heat activated and will only fertilize your water lily when needed in water 65 degrees or warmer.

FLOWERS  Flowers stand well above the waters surface. Flower is a cup shape purple, 4” to 7” across.

PLANT SIZE Medium to Large with a 3' to 7' spread.  Flowers are a rich peach color. 

WATER DEPTH 12" to 18" deep

CONTAINER Grow in a one, two, or three gallon container.  

A tropical water lily that thinks its a hardy!  Good for all ponds including earthen ponds. Panama Pacific’s are very popular because of the purple blooms.  Out of all tropicals, Panama Pacific is the most dependable. Even with frost and freeze, it can still bloom in the winter in zone 9 and up.  This is a must have water lily, will out rank all water lilies because of beauty, longevity and hardiness. Will tolerate shade especially in hotter climates. Best to grow in full sun. Shipped bare root with leaves and buds ready for planting. 

FERTILIZER Also included is Florikan Aquatic Plant Fertilizer.  Safe for all aquatic life, wild life, and pets.  Place fertilizer pellets at the bottom of the container.  Florikan is heat activated and will only fertilize your water lily when needed in water 65 degrees or warmer.

FLOWERS  Flowers are very fragrant and stand well above the waters surface. Flower is a cup shape purple, 4” to 7” across.

PLANT SIZE Medium with green leaves 3“ to 12“ across and a 2.5’ to 8’ spread

WATER DEPTH 12" to 18" deep

CONTAINER Grow in a one, two, or three gallon container.  


    
String Algae Control

String algae can be a HUGE challenge, especially during the hot summer months.  In some areas of the country it can be a problem year-round.  Oftentimes, algae will be a problem even when there is a UV light system and pond filter.  It is especially challenging when the pond is made out of concrete.  If fish are fed too much, this can cause increased algae.  Fertilized plants will also promote algae growth.  Like weeds in a lawn, regular attention is needed to keep the algae from taking over.  This includes weeding the pond of algae as it appears, and adding barley and algaecide.  Plants that help control algae are:  anacharis, hornwort, giant val grass, pennywort, water hyacinth, and water lettuce.  A 30%-40% grade shade cloth will also reduce that chance of algae growth.  If algae does creep up on you, pull it out and throw it in your green compost pile.  Your worms will love you for it!  View the pond spring cleaning video on The Pond Plant Girl's Youtube and tell a friend!
 
 Brian's Tahoe Greenhouse

This is an oldie but a goody...  My friend, Brian, in SouthwLakew Tahoe, Northern California lives at the 6,200 foot level in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Zone 6-7.  Temperatures in the summertime can get down to 32 degrees!  And, it is known to snow in Tahoe any month of the year.  But this doesn't stop Brian.  His tomato plants grow strong inside his greenhouse.  The inside is heated with Christmas tree lights.  The frame is constructed with branches from local area trees.  The siding is 6 mil thick clear visqueen plastic; which is stiff plastic sheeting used to insulate windows.  One side of his greenhouse is on hinges that open like a door.  This is certainly an attractive greenhouse, Brian!     

Find out which type of greenhouse is right for your climate zone...

  Getting Winter Ready

Autumn is the time to start getting serious about protecting your pond
for the upcoming winter season.  An easy way to do this is by building a hoop house to shelter your small water garden.  The hoop house design on the left uses PVC pipe and 6 mil. thick plastic sheeting.  The PVC pipe can be inserted inside the pond or anchored down outside the pond into the ground using stakes that fit into the ends of the pipe.   

Upgrade for Severe Climate:  In more severe climates, I recommend  using 2 layers of of 6 mil. thick plastic sheeting with 1 inch bubble wrap used as insulation in between the layers of plastic.  If you have heavy snowfall, heavy duty chicken wire can be used as reinforcement over the hoop house. 

Heating the Hoop House:  You will want to keep the climate inside the hoop house above freezing.  Hanging large C7 or C9 Christmas tree lights will raise the indoor air temperature by 20°.  These can easily be purchased on eBay and at Etsy.com.  In colder climates, a cold frame house with glass walls is a wiser choice along with an oil heater.  

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