My Pond and Plants Journal

Pond:

 

On June 12, 2008 while at Lowes for some other reason entirely, I found water plants on sale for half off, I bought a large, square plant pot, Mare's Tail, Bloody Dock, a Water Lily and a Dwarf Giant Papyrus.  I already had an Umbrella Plant that my friend Ayn had given me.  Later that day I saw Ayn again and she gave me a jar full of Minnows.  The pot is 16" on all four sides and 13" deep so I estimated (using a form I found online) that it is about 13 gallons. 

 

All but one of the Minnows died while we were on vacation.  I had put vacation food disks, but I think the Algae got too much.  On July 16 I added Fred, the Plecostomus.  He is very shy, but so far doing well.

 

There is no pump since it is in the back yard, as far away from the house as is possible.    I add water every day or two with the garden hose. 

 

July 25 update!!!

 

July 27 Update!!  Wow those guys are fast

 

July 28 update

 

The beginning

 

 

I've been thrilled to find a few creatures taking advantage of the new water source.

better not be trying to eat my fish!

 

this little guy startled me when I went out to check the pond one morning (July 17)

 

July 24:  This morning I heard a strange new noise... I think he's got a girlfriend down the street and they are singing to each other.  Will I have babies in my pond soon?

 

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July 25, 2008
Faster than I thought!!!

 

This morning I go out to check on things, and the plant is knocked over again, but before I can set it up, I realize I have lots of strings of dark pearls... what the ... OH MAN!!! Frog Eggs!!  (click to see bigger).

 

They're everywhere!!

 

 

all hanging over the sides, all wrapped around the plant.  Some wild goings on in my pond last night!

 

 

Some Info I found:   http://www.beautifulbritain.co.uk/htm/pond/pond_faq2.htm

 

Apparently it's a toad

 

http://allaboutfrogs.org/weird/general/frogtoad.html

http://allaboutfrogs.org/weird/general/cycle.html

 

 

I'm excited!!!

 

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July 27, 2008

They're Here!! 

 

 

 

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July 28, 2008

Very Sad Day

 

at 7:00 am there was a population explosion, I believe.  It seemed that there were at least double the amount of tadpoles there were yesterday, and they were all swimming like crazy.  

 

 

10:00 am they are all gone, including Fred, my Pleco.  Haven't seen the minnow for awhile, probably gone too.  Not enough Oxygen?  Too much pollution? 

 

 

If frogs return, I'll try to get a solar bubbler to help them along, but I'm not going to put any more living creatures in there myself.  I get way too emotionally involved. 

 

 

 

 

I'd be glad to hear any comments or suggestions.

dylinn@dylinn.com

Plants:

 

I don't have much of a Green Thumb, but I like Unusual plants

 

May 21, 2008	After picture soon... it's actually growing
This is Fred the Fern.  Purchased at Shades of Green.
Laurie gave me these cuttings in 2006.  I believe it is an Aristolochia, and it's hard to believe it's still here.  This was taken when it was doing really well, then some of these fell off.  Still growing, just not this big anymore.,
Pepperomia, three varieties.  I tried to kill it, but I think it is managing to recover.  This is the before picture.  More later if it doesn't croak completely.
	My Tipsy Pots Built May 9, 2008   From top to bottom planted with: Pony's Foot (Silver Falls) Germander Polka Dot Plant Clown Blue Torenia Coleus (Wizard Mix)   So far so Good.  "After" Pictures soon.
My Donkey Ear Kalanchoe given to me by Jim just a week before he died.  I'm trying very hard to keep this plant alive.