The pond dig has begun!

[CountryEscape]

Awwww ... Addy that's a really tiny little toad. I've seen lots of toad babies before in my yard, but sure never knew they came from tadpoles in the water! Learned that on here. Thanks for sharing the pic.
The pink lily is the first PINK one, I've had 2 white ones open, too, but they didn't last very long, and barely opened. I've fertilized all the pots last weekend, so maybe that's why all the buds are at the surface on this side of the pond!

I'm sure hoping that this weekend I will see more open blooms during the day. I'm afraid I've been missing them open, as I'm gone by 8:20 and not home until 5:20, so it's possible they are opening late morning and closing before I get home. This will be great if all these open at the same time, though! The one is darker pink, I see one that is a lighter pink, but most others look white. Not sure if I have any yellow ones now ....
Addy, the ones you gave me are in the goldfish pond, and they are all reaching for the surface with at least one leaf per pot. The minis are not up to the surface yet, I've put them on "blocks" to get them closer. Need to get a milk crate to get them even higher, I think. How deep do you have your mini lilies?

 

[pondlover]

CE those are so pretty. Love your view from your deck. I have tons of lily pads but no buds yet. When I potted them I put some Osmocote on the bottom, I wonder if I should go ahead and fertilize more.
I have a ton of tadpoles and am watching for changes daily. They are getting bigger, but no legs yet. Of course the dog is very curious about all the frogs. I'm hoping he will get used to them. LOL
Is your water clearing up?

 

[CountryEscape]

No clear water yet, PL. Frustrating. Got my Pond Perfect in the mail on Tues. I think, and dosed each pond. Going to dose them again this weekend. Trying to be patient ... just hoping they are clear by Memorial Day weekend, when I have company for then through June 22 or so, off and on.
Is your pond clear now? I envy anyone with clear water, but know mine will get that way sooner or later, just prefer for it to be sooner. LOl

 

[addy1]

I have mine in around 2 feet of water, full sun, they all sent leaves to the surface then sort of stopped when it got so darn cold in april. Now they are starting to send up new leaves, buds almost to the surface.
PL you could add some tabs if you want to, the osmocote slowly releases.

 

[CountryEscape]

That may be why my lilies all have buds that LOOK like they are ready to open, since I put fertilizer tabs in each of the pots last weekend. Probably boosted them, although I probably should have put 2-3 in each pot, just put one in so far. Had to give everyone something. LOL Need more! Next year I will be sure to buy more and sooner when they go on sale. I'm such a cheapskate!

 

[j.w]

I put the Jobes tomato spikes in mine a bit ago and hoping those will help mine in blooming...............course some sunshine might help

 

[pondlover]

Yes CE my water is crystal clear. Has been for about 10 days now and it's wonderful to actually see my fish. I did add some beneficial bacteria and maybe that helped. Probably it just finally cycled. I have notice a few strands of string algae and I yank it out ASAP. I think I got that from someone I bought some plants from in town. I hope yours clears for your weekend too!
I couldn't find any jobes tomatoe stakes here so I ordered some from amazon. They should be here Tuesday and will fertilize then. How many do I need to use in each tub?

JW my daughter and son-in-law are moving to Seattle in 2 weeks. He has accepted a new job. I'm happy for them but sad for me. They are looking forward to no humidity and lots of areas to ski and hike.

 

[j.w]

I only put one of the spikes in my pots and 2 might be better but like I said I'm new to using them. I found mine at an ACE hardware store here in town. Think they were 18 for $3.

PL I hope your daughter and SIL like lots of rain! If we ever get high heat here which isn't often sometimes it comes w/ high humidity but doesn't last here like that for long. Is very green here............gee I wonder why,lol! Lots of nice places to ski either downhill or cross-country. And massive hiking trails all over the state! They just have to learn to like to get wet when hiking, biking or even skiing at times.

 

[CountryEscape]

Noticed tonight that there are tons of tiny tadpoles in my koi pond, all along the edge. First saw them by the skimmer, then looked and they were everywhere, mostly on the east side of the pond, maybe because it was still in the sunshine. Not sure but suspect they are toad tadpoles, since I just started hearing the spring peeper and northern cricket frogs couple of nights ago ... again. Not sure how large bullfrog tadpoles are when they are first hatched, will have to look up what size their eggs are and what they look like. But, since I took the pic of the toads "playing" in the koi pond, I suspect they did their thing and the koi and goldies left the eggs alone, or at least some of them. Surprised the fish are not going along the edge sucking them up!

 

[HARO]

Toad eggs and toadpoles have a bitter taste, as do toads, so fish tend to leave them alone. I've seen goldfish suck in one of the little buggers and spit it out as if it was on fire! BTW, toadpoles are black or nearly black, while most frog tadpoles are green.
John

 

[CountryEscape]

Well, no wonder there are so many. Thanks for the info, Haro. They are all solid black so far. Bigger than the ones I "saved" and put the egg string in the goldfish pond bog. Now I'm seeing lots of them everywhere, so no need to save anymore. LOL Will be fun to watch them try to climb out of the pond and bog, though.

 

[pondlover]

I only put one of the spikes in my pots and 2 might be better but like I said I'm new to using them. I found mine at an ACE hardware store here in town. Think they were 18 for $3.

PL I hope your daughter and SIL like lots of rain! If we ever get high heat here which isn't often sometimes it comes w/ high humidity but doesn't last here like that for long. Is very green here............gee I wonder why,lol! Lots of nice places to ski either downhill or cross-country. And massive hiking trails all over the state! They just have to learn to like to get wet when hiking, biking or even skiing at times.

JW right now they live in Paducah Ky and Paducah actually gets more annual rainfall than Seattle. Go figure. But we also have to deal with the high humidity and it has already begun. LOL They are very outdoorsy and love to ski, hike, mountain bike, jog, camp, etc etc. Of course they are young!!!

 

[j.w]

We are old and we still like to do all that except we do it slower,lol!

 

[simonemartini]

Advice on pond liner

I bought quite a lot of liner from

FLEXIBLE LINING PRODUCTS (flp). A bit expensive, but they offered lifetime guarantee.​

The pond started losing water one year after one year. So I spoke to them, and they said "FIND THE HOLE". Their guarantee means nothing, except the advice of "FINDING THE HOLE". Avoid like the plague.​

 

[DrDave]

I don't have a problem with a member sharing a bad experience with a supplier. As long as they are not promoting someone else, I see this as protection for others who might get drawn in by thier so called lfetime guarantee.