Ohh so what's new and in the box?
Before I reveal let me show you first this sprouting Eremurus...
I love the way that to me they look like tentacles or corals rising up from the ground and waving from the surface. Admittedly my attraction towards certain Eremurus started with their foliage and if we get blooms from them later on then that's just a bonus. I've forgotten the name of this particular one but they reward us with spires of orange blooms in the summer. The beauty of the foliage only lasts though until the flower spikes emerge and as that progress the foliage dies down to almost nothing and eventually the blooms take centre stage. Lovely plant, just wish the foliage lasted longer and didn't go scruffy as it bloomed.
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| The Eremurus blooming in summer |
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| Yum he says!! Sorry Knickers, they are your fellow pets, not snacks! |
Float the bag for some time in a shady part of the pond so the temperatures between both spaces can equalise before releasing the fish. Bear in mind though that it's still more important that the current pond temperature is very similar to that of the dealer from which you buy your fish from. If the temperature difference is high, even if you float the bag it won't be enough to prevent potential shock. Our pond temperature was the same as from where these fish came from.
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| Hello hello! How do we maintain the pond window? With a long handled window squeegee! |
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| Liberty at last! Welcome home boys and girls! |
Besides, the pond will be receiving some spring treatment shortly afterwards (now an insight into one of the ways we maintain our koi pond)...
With a special purple brew! To remove bugs that can potentially cause harm to the koi as the weather gradually warms up as well as condition the pond for the coming warmer months ahead.
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| Witch's Brew! Potassium permanganate is dissolved in hot water then aerated so harmful fumes will gas off as it cools down. |
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| A bucket of bubbling purple brew! |
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| The purple colour looks pretty but handle with care as the solution is extremely staining! |
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| And the pond becomes appropriately purple! |
The pond takes on a deep purple colour for some time before the chemical degrades and the water becomes murky brown. It stays like this for a few days and then the water eventually clears off. A temporary and short inconvenience.
Ohh there was another box. A plant this time...
Yucca glauca. I have one already, planted out but you can never go wrong with having another one!
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Well, between the new pets and the new plant, it looks as though you've had a great weekend! I wonder if Knickers was frustrated to see fish that close but out of his grasp? BTW, I love the Eremurus - it's another of the plants I wish I could grow here.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful weekend Kris, almost felt like summer :) Knickers usually leave fish alone, I think he was more interested in the box, lol! Surprised Eremurus don't do well there, there you go I learned something new :)
DeleteYou know I am not even surprised to see fish mailed to you. I was at the post office the other day and heard so much chirping it was distracting. It was chickens being mailed out in a box. That just does not seem right. :)
ReplyDeleteI would worry that purple would start staining your plate glass window though so I hope that doesn't happen. I could sit there and watch them for hours at a time. Bet the cats like watching them too.
Cher Sunray Gardens
Goldenray Yorkies
This one didn't arrive via post Cher, bought it in the shop and took home in a box. Not sure about chickens in post too!
DeleteThe purple doesn't stay long and it stains a bit but rubs off nicely later. Next week it should be nice and clear again :)
I love receiving boxes. I've gotten many plants in the mail, but never fish. Did the fish actually come in the mail? If so, the travel time must have been short.
ReplyDeleteNot this one Gerhard, although we have bought some through the post in the past, or rather overnight courier :) in the past week I've received two yuccas through the post, very exciting!
DeleteNot only are you guys excellent plantsmen but chemists too, I am (as always) impressed.
ReplyDeleteNot quite the geeky chemist yet but it was rather fun mixing the purple solution Loree :)
DeleteVery interesting for sure! I had no idea what steps (and delicate ones at that)it took to take care of a Koi pond. Do you name them? LOL
ReplyDeleteIt's not that difficult once you get the hang of it Candice :) some have names yes!
DeleteOh the thought of fish traveling in a box is somewhat mind boggling :) I can see what you mean about the eremurus - it looks as if is rather excited and is saying "look at me!" in a soft beguiling voice.
ReplyDeleteAlways a delight to see Eremurus sprouting and doing well as they're not always easy to establish, a bonus! The fish only travel in a box for a short while, to protect them whilst in the car but come to think of it they have been shipped in boxes too all the way from Japan before :)
DeleteSo much fun with all those koi!! I love it. And purple water!!!! oh, I feel the same about eremurus...like them so much and wish the folliage didn´t fade when it flowers, but nobody is perfect so I love them anyway :).
ReplyDeleteIndeed Lisa :) at least the foliage looks good whilst they last, albeit briefly
DeleteThanks for the walk down memory lane on the Kemystery of water treatment fish style :-) I've spend considerable time with resultant
ReplyDeleteanguish trying to work out how the Hell you took that picture of yourself and Gaz cleaning the glass. I've finally worked it out but would never be able to explain it in writing. (ps Gaz looks like a deformed grinning garden gnome) :-)
Lol! It must have been confusing trying to figure out how we took that pic ! Mind you I never realised how confusing it could be to figure it out until you mentioned it. I did think Potassium permanganate would be your domain too ;) one of my fave chemicals....
DeleteI am a little suspicious of the look on your cat's face ! I think there is probably some feline plotting going on at this very moment, to enable said Koi to make a meal for said cat!!
ReplyDeleteLol! He's been a good boy so far. And some of the koi are bigger than him Jane :)
DeleteI always fancied having a Koi, pond, but not sure I would be any good and getting the witches brew measurements right!!! I found a Koi pond in the village, by accident, trying to drum up business for the Open Gardens and there it was in his front garden, just a 'bog standard' pond full of Koi, could have knocked me down with a feather, looked amazing!
ReplyDeleteKoi would be a lovely addition to your pond Libby, even if just one or two to start with. Using the witch's brew is very optional :)
DeleteYour pond and garden looking so beautiful. Hopefully we will get to see more of it as the summer comes. Congratulations on your new pets. Will they multiply there also. How will handle the population burst? I wish I had those but it seems that having a pond is a lot of work. Me a lazy person :-).
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear, thank you! :) They can potentially breed but unlikely in our set-up. Home bred koi are unlikely to produce pretty ones but in a big, natural pond they would almost be needed for a stunning display.
DeleteHi Mark, I love your eremurus as well, both when it just has only foliage and, of course, when it is in bloom it is simply stunning. Good luck with your new fish. Hope they acclimated well!
ReplyDeleteChristina
Thank Christina! Hope all fish indeed do well :)
DeleteWhat, no fish-juggling? I'm sure you'll be handling them with aplomb in no time. What a super, restful oasis you're creating. By the way, came across ref to the Society of Garden Design spring conference - you may already know, but I thought you'd be interested if not - it's themed Exotic - http://www.sgd.org.uk/article/sgd-spring-conference-2014--exotic-85.aspx
ReplyDeleteWe usually fish juggle Helen, quite confident with it too :) just this time I opted for the lazy method. Yes I've heard about it, thank you! Great topic and tempted to attend! Still thinking about it though as I have two study days on the same venue that month and I might burn out if I include another one, although at least with this it'll be out of pure interest rather than work. A maybe for now
DeleteI hope the new additions to your fish family know how lucky they are to live in such a great garden and pond! May they do so for many years to come. Have never grown eremurus but was tempted to buy some at the garden shows. Maybe next year will be the time as the pictures of yours in bloom are lovely!
ReplyDeleteI hope they all do well and provide us with years of fish joy :) Give Eremurus a try Peter, they'll be a fab addition to your garden!
DeleteNo worries: those of us less meticulous than you will never flirt with mixing chemicals...well aware that while you make it look easy (somewhat) amateur efforts would court disaster. I love the idea of co-pets, but that is another "easier said than done" area of expertise.
ReplyDeleteA bit of chemistry play is rather fun Ricki :) Had to put that little note though just in case as it is strong stuff...
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