Re: [GSAS-Member] Pond Algae is a hairy problem

["Betty Goetz" <haika@drizzle.com>]

>I'd try to find someone with
> some nice wild water lilies.  The cultivated kinds are probably showier,
> but they tend to go for $20+ each...the wild ones in my experience have
> been much hardier and are still plenty pretty--

In smaller spaces, the wild water lilies may be frustrating as they are
not small plants. Even though they cost more, there are cultivated
varieties that are geared to smaller spaces. I have 6 cultivars now and
all wintered outside without problems. Some have also been selected to
bloom with less direct sun than others. All hate moving water so your
filtration options are affected. I was most concerned about Chromatella
since it was in the smallest, shallowest above ground pond, but it's got
two flowers open as of this week. Helvola, Georgia Peach, Indiana, Cynthia
Ann, and Paul Hariot are other varieties I'm trying (OK...I HATE pink so
didn't try any of those cultivars).  All survived the past winter, have
been repotted and fertilized and are exploding with leaves. All but
Chromatella and Paul Hariot were mailordered last July-August. One of
these years perhaps I'll have a larger pond but right now I'm limited to
100g and 150g stock tanks. And this is only my second year with water
lilies so I'm certainly no expert! But I can tell already that anything
with more vigor/tendencies to 'expand' than Chromatella will soon FILL a
pond of the size I'm working with.

I'm experimenting with Nymphoides spp also. I lost N. cristata over the
winter so I know that one is not hardy. It was protected in the same area
as my frogbit but every last plant turned to mushiness. Looks like I have
to bring both into the garage under lights to keep over winter. A link to
some Nymphoides spp....these are much much smaller that most waterlilies,
except perhaps N. Helvola, and look quite similar although they are not
related.

http://www.victoria-adventure.org/aquatic_plants/david/page1.html

Betty Goetz


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