Habitat - Outdoor :: outdoor plants

[RES Tampa]

Do waterplants in an outdoor pond have to be put in trays that allow the roots to grow out or can regular plastic pots be used?

[steve]

i think that depends on the type of plant. some like to be firmly rooted, some loosely and some that float on the surface.

this site should provide some info...
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pCatId=767

[Oldturtle72]

There are containers designed for pond plants made of plastic and the sides and bottoms have small holes to let the pond water in and the roots escape but not big enough to let the planting medium escape. You get these special containers at a garden supply center that sells pond products or you can go online and get 'em that way (don't like the shipping costs so I buy at a garden center). Lillies and Lotus plants are deep water plants and Cattails and Rushes are marginal or very shallow water plants. I have 5 Cattail plants started in a 9 in. square container, filled within 1 in. of the top with medium and thumbnail sized rocks that I collected on a nearby Lake Michigan beach on top of the medium. Also inserted 2 fertilizer tabs 3 in. deep and not to near the plant bulbs. Have 4 Helvola Lillies started in 2 seperate 6 in. square containers with the same medium/rock/fertilizer setup. The rocks are for weight and for looks. These plants are in the basement 265 gal. pond until they grow larger and it gets warmer outside. The turtles are all outside so I kicked the pond temp up to 80 and am using a 160 watt UVB/UVA mercury vapor bulb on a timer for sunlight. Also, floating in the water and staying out of the frosty nights are a dozen Water Hyacinth and 6 large Water Lettuce plants. The cold nights will kill the leaves so that's why they are in the house.
I have growing in the outside pond right now, in a 6 in. square shallow container, 3 clumps of Blue Rush and in the other end, on the bottom is a 20 in. kidney shaped container planted with Helvola Lillys. The Helvolas have 3 to 4 in. pads and produce little bell-shaped flowers all summer long. All the water plants grow large root systems , therefore that type of container is necessary as the roots can grow through the sides and bottom. The floaters spred like crazy and the extra ones can be plowed into your veggie garden as mulch. They are so beneficial in the pond as they use up nitrogen that could grow algae and shade the pond which inhibits algae growth. Can't have too many--excellant turtle food also.
George

[RES Tampa]

Thanks OT,

I will get some trays from my home center and see if they have any water plants. I got two from a local marsh the other day and will get some more like the lilies that float on the water. I may have to go online to get them.

[melissa4324]

Becareful with pulling to many plants from local marshy areas. For one, it is illegal (found out the hard way) and two it can create a problem with the clarity. We have three ponds, two are joined by streams and the other sits by itself. We put beautiful plants in that we pulled from marshes and we can not get the water to clear up. No mater what we put in, it doesn't get clear. That is all we have in that one though. Learned are lesson by the next ponds....

[Oldturtle72]

Yeah, it's illegal in Wisconsin to take wild plants also. Menards has the plant baskets and either dwarf or standard size cattails in kits for about 7 bucks and other pond plant kits that you start yourself. Floating Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce is illegal in Florida and a few other states. These are invasive species and the Hyacinth is really a problem in the canals in Florida. The Dugongs ( Sea Cows) can't eat enough of it fast enough. That's why I like it and the Lettuce for my pond. It spreads rapidly and shades the pond and retards the algae growth. George

[RES Tampa]

Thanks to both of you for the info

Melissa - what other plants do you have in your ponds that are legal in Florida?

Our outside setup under construction - enclosure at top of picture will eventually have a waterfall in it.

[marisa]

This looks like it's going to really be nice! (How big is the pond?) Am looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[RES Tampa]

The main pond is 125 gal with an 8 gal connecting pond. New picture to be posted soon. Not quite the spread I would like to make but as you can see my available area is limited. Certainly more room for our two sliders than our inside tank. The 3 water lettuce I bought has already sprouted more plants. The turtles have not yet tried the basking platform yet but I have adjusted it slightly from this picture. OT72 I took your advice and went with a pondmaster pump. Should receive it from UPS today along with a pressurized filter that will supply water to the waterfall.

[steve]

take alot of pics! when i get the site finished i can put into the gallery (if you'll let me)

[Oldturtle72]

Your pond is shaped exactly like mine. Kinda like an hour glass with ledges at the 4 corners. Because I've got the Pond Master 2000 filter (12" wide by 24" long) my pump is lying on its side. The outflow hose goes from the pump, climbs up and over the pond end and disappears under the edge of a 3 tiered black plastic waterfall, comes out behind it and with elbows, hangs over the back edge and down into the first pool of the falls. Each pool is filled with gravel so the water looks like its flowing over a stream bottom. The water flows from the top pool into the next and into the last and then falls into the pond. I've got Varigated Hostas planted behind the falls and along side are Blue Columbine and Wild Fern. I can't wait to see your habitat when it is finished. George

[melissa4324]

We have several different kinds including lillies, a few different kind of bogs, azola, parrot fern etc.... I will have to take pictures to show you. I can't do it tonight because it is too late but I will try tomorrow.

[RES Tampa]

Here's the latest picture



- ran out of waterfall stone - I was suprised how fast it was used up. That's 235 pounds of stone Will have to wait a while to finish - vacation with the family starts this week.

[RES Tampa]

Here are the latest from the weekend.






I am hoping they will nest in the sand area to the right of the waterfall.

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

Wow, very nice, I hope to someday do something like that, I may even copy yours