Water Lettuce to stop pea soup

[Steve knight]

Why would you want to spend more money on power then it costs to replace them? I have seen them 12 24.00 with free shipping on ebay.

 

[Shdwdrgn]

Well, because I've never seen such deals. I've had bad luck with previous attempts to order plants online, and the local places seem to think that $5/ea is a reasonable price. And really, how much could it cost to run some fluorescent bulbs over the Winter?

 

[j.w]

If you succeed let me know and I wonder how much electricity it would take for the whole year

 

[Shdwdrgn]

Considering my local weather, I can only keep hyacinths outdoors for half the year. So...

Two 24" florescent bulbs consume 40 watts
40W x 16hrs/day * 180days = 115.2kWh
115.2kWh * $0.0777 (my local rate) = $8.95

Running an air pump 24/7 for the same period adds another $1.

So for $10 in electricity, I can (ideally) keep about a dozen hyacinths going over the Winter. If things go well, I would actually try moving them outside a couple months early -- put them in a wading pool under a temporary greenhouse so I have a few dozen by the time the pond is warm enough for them. Maintenance would be minimal - water changes every couple weeks - and otherwise just ignore them.

 

[addy1]

I stuck some tropical lilies in a tub in the basement, no air stone, no water changes, just added a little water off and on. They are nicely growing in the pond. Oh and no extra light, we have a walk out basement, just stuck them by the door for light.

I kept forgetting about them lol.

The hyacinths, would prob take a little more care and light. I might try to over winter them.

 

[j.w]

Ok addy and Shdwdrgn you guys be the guinea pigs and let me know if they survive, then I'll give it a try......................somehow I have my doubts but am pulling for you both. Those plants are picky and seems as tho I have heard you can't over winter them indoors no matter what you do for some reason. Maybe if you keep them all corralled close together that might help also

 

[koiguy1969]

i plan on keeping some this winter, i have the pond, the filter, and the fish. why not? i'll make a cage for them like the rings so the roots are safe. maybe a 2' x 6' cage right under the lights. my lights (flourecent) hang 2' above the waters surface..a couple grow bulbs like 'growlux'...might just do fine.

 

[j.w]

Koiguy that's what I'm wondering that the plants need gro-lights and I think those things are pretty expensive or am I wrong? I don't use them for anything else around here so I would have to go buy them just for the hyacinth and I hear they do wear out even if they still light up.

 

[Shdwdrgn]

I've seen people keeping hyacinths in their aquariums, so I'm pretty sure they *can* be overwintered. That's why I think it comes down to the quality and quantity of light you give them.

 

[j.w]

I'm wondering if an aquarium heater would help also? Maybe even a filter and air stone. Heck just set up the whole aquarium, throw in some tiny fish for fertilizer and call it good.

 

[koiguy1969]

i run my 2 4' 20 watt flourecents for 14 hours a day the whole time my guys are in the basement pond, so...just swap 'em out for 2 20 watt growlux flourecents.....they would or should even help the fish retain better color.

 

[j.w]

That would be good if it works...............keep us posted in the fall/winter on how they are doing

 

[Shdwdrgn]

I was thinking of throwing some rosy red's into the container, give them a chance to grow a little over the Winter, then toss them out into the pond with the rest of the school the next Spring. I figure I'm bound to lose some of them in the pond anyway, so this would replenish the stock and add to the gene pool (the little guys are *trying* to reproduce, I just don't know if any will survive). Maybe I'll do the same with some dojo's... I only have three now, I'd love to have about a dozen in the pond.

 

[fishin4cars]

What is with the subscribing to every post?

 

[j.w]

I noticed that too koiguy. Maybe they are trying to get enough post so they can post pix? Dunno