My husband and I have just started a pond, and we need a little help with the basics. We'd like to get some plants started. We have several potted lillies that seem to being doing well, but we'd like to add some oxygenators.

We tried some bundles of parrot's feather. They were floating at the nursery where we purchased them. They were wrapped in bundles of 4-5 strands, with a bendable mental band. At that point, they had no roots. We simply tossed them into our pond, where they did well for a few days...and had developed root buds. Then, they all sank!? How do I keep them floating on the surface? Should I have removed the metal band?

Also, we've purchased some anacharis that is wrapped in bundles, using rubber bands. How should we add these to our pond? I'd rather not pot them, if it's not necessary. I've read about anchoring them with lead weights, but I haven't seen any details about how to do this. Are the "lead weights" the bendable metal bands? How many strands should we bundle together? How tightly? Then, do we simply toss them in?

I know these questions must seem very basic!

Thanks for your time and help!

*NOTE: There are two Koi-Lo's on this NG*

"brendonanderinc" wrote in
message ...

My husband and I have just started a pond, and we need a little help
with the basics. We'd like to get some plants started. We have
several potted lillies that seem to being doing well, but we'd like to
add some oxygenators.

We tried some bundles of parrot's feather. They were floating at the
nursery where we purchased them. They were wrapped in bundles of 4-5
strands, with a bendable mental band. At that point, they had no
roots. We simply tossed them into our pond, where they did well for a
few days...and had developed root buds. Then, they all sank!? How do
I keep them floating on the surface? Should I have removed the metal
band?

If the water temp drops below a certain level they will go under. But that
shouldn't happen his time of the year. Also, as far as I know they're not
oxygenators.

Also, we've purchased some anacharis that is wrapped in bundles, using
rubber bands. How should we add these to our pond? I'd rather not pot
them, if it's not necessary. I've read about anchoring them with lead
weights, but I haven't seen any details about how to do this.

They usually rot where the rubber band is I would remove it. cut the bottom
off where the stems were pinched by the rubberband and just allow them to
float in the shallow areas. Mine grew into a large ball that would sink at
night and raise to the surface in the daytime.

Are the
"lead weights" the bendable metal bands? How many strands should we
bundle together? How tightly? Then, do we simply toss them in?

I know these questions must seem very basic!

Thanks for your time and help!

--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö

Anacharis needs to sink. Parrots feather needs to be above the surface with
roots in the water. Otherwise, it will sink and drown. The band is not at
all needed for them or for the anacharis, tho it holds the anacharis
together in a bunch. Find a place for it to just sit in your pond.

Koi like to eat anacharis.


--
See our pond at: home.bellsouth.net/personalpages/pwp-jameshurley
Ask me about Jog A Thon fundraiser (clears $120+ per child) at: jogathon.net
"brendonanderinc" wrote in
message ...

My husband and I have just started a pond, and we need a little help
with the basics. We'd like to get some plants started. We have
several potted lillies that seem to being doing well, but we'd like to
add some oxygenators.

We tried some bundles of parrot's feather. They were floating at the
nursery where we purchased them. They were wrapped in bundles of 4-5
strands, with a bendable mental band. At that point, they had no
roots. We simply tossed them into our pond, where they did well for a
few days...and had developed root buds. Then, they all sank!? How do
I keep them floating on the surface? Should I have removed the metal
band?

Also, we've purchased some anacharis that is wrapped in bundles, using
rubber bands. How should we add these to our pond? I'd rather not pot
them, if it's not necessary. I've read about anchoring them with lead
weights, but I haven't seen any details about how to do this. Are the
"lead weights" the bendable metal bands? How many strands should we
bundle together? How tightly? Then, do we simply toss them in?

I know these questions must seem very basic!

Thanks for your time and help!


--
brendonanderinc

parrot's feather... wrapped in bundles with a bendable mental band.

Remove band (it is lead as you surmised), tuck ends under a rock along the
edge of the pond (assuming informal pond?).

anacharis in bundles, w/rubber bands. How should we add these

Take a nursery pot filled 3/4th with river rock or gravel, put ends of
anacharis in, add reminder 1/4th to top of pot. Done. ) ~ jan
--------------
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www.jjspond.us

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Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
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