Archive for October, 2009

 

How to build a koi fish pond?

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

This Summer I’ve been thinking about making a koi pond for the first time in my backward. I’m worried about things like koi disease (koi pox), pond design, predators, pond construction and which liners are best. I need a site or product that has everything listed as one guide.

I found this site that seems to offer the things your asking:
I’m no koi expert per say but hey give it a try!

http://infokoi.com/manual/index.html

 

Does plants in fish ponds keep the alge away better?

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

I have a 6X3 fish pond and I also have a waterfall and 1 fish.

this link should help you figure it out. I think the "balance" of animal and plant life is most beneficial.
Plants suck up the excess nutrients that the algae are drawn to, so in a way just adding plants could help a lot.

 

Does plants in fish ponds keep the alge away better?

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

I have a 6X3 fish pond and I also have a waterfall and 1 fish.

this link should help you figure it out. I think the "balance" of animal and plant life is most beneficial.
Plants suck up the excess nutrients that the algae are drawn to, so in a way just adding plants could help a lot.

 

how do the many water features in canada affect the canadians?

Saturday, October 24th, 2009


Canada has over TWO million lakes and rivers, and we have about 20 percent of all the fresh water on earth.

Learning to swim is very important in Canada .

Outdoor recreational activities here in Canada all most all ways involve water, in one way or another. Boating, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, fishing, skating ( on frozen water ) ice boating, snowmobiling ( on snow which is frozen water in crystal form ) curling ( played on ice ) hockey ( played on a frozen ice rink ) you get the picture.

We still use water transportation methods, such as the Great Lakes ships, that carry bulk cargos of coal, iron ore or wheat. It is the cheapest way to move huge amounts of cargo, at a reasonable cost.

And of course we have abundant sources of drinking water, and water to irrigate our farms and supply our herds of beef and dairy cattle, and other farm animals.

Jim b. Toronto.

 

how do the many water features in canada affect the canadians?

Saturday, October 24th, 2009


Canada has over TWO million lakes and rivers, and we have about 20 percent of all the fresh water on earth.

Learning to swim is very important in Canada .

Outdoor recreational activities here in Canada all most all ways involve water, in one way or another. Boating, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, fishing, skating ( on frozen water ) ice boating, snowmobiling ( on snow which is frozen water in crystal form ) curling ( played on ice ) hockey ( played on a frozen ice rink ) you get the picture.

We still use water transportation methods, such as the Great Lakes ships, that carry bulk cargos of coal, iron ore or wheat. It is the cheapest way to move huge amounts of cargo, at a reasonable cost.

And of course we have abundant sources of drinking water, and water to irrigate our farms and supply our herds of beef and dairy cattle, and other farm animals.

Jim b. Toronto.

 

I want to start a flower garden but i dont know what flowers to grow?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

I really dont know anything about gardening. But I would like to know what flowers are both pretty and smell good, how to properly weed, how to keep bugs off, and diffrent flowers.

Deciding on what type of flowers to grow depends on a few things, such as what type of climate you live in, how much maintenance you are willing to do in your garden (i.e. roses vs something easier), and also if you would prefer to establish a perennial garden (flowers that return every year) or change from year to year with annuals.
The best way to start is to find a good nursery in your area and establish a relationship with them. A small mom and pop place that also offers gardening classes would be best.
You should also consult your local agricultural extension service, often associated with a university with an agri. program. They will have master gardeners who are very knowledgeable about what grows best in your part of the country.
Also helpful is to get to know your neighbors who are good gardeners and ask them questions.
Good luck and don’t be afraid to experiment, it sometimes takes a while to establish the kind of garden you want.

 

I want to start a flower garden but i dont know what flowers to grow?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

I really dont know anything about gardening. But I would like to know what flowers are both pretty and smell good, how to properly weed, how to keep bugs off, and diffrent flowers.

Deciding on what type of flowers to grow depends on a few things, such as what type of climate you live in, how much maintenance you are willing to do in your garden (i.e. roses vs something easier), and also if you would prefer to establish a perennial garden (flowers that return every year) or change from year to year with annuals.
The best way to start is to find a good nursery in your area and establish a relationship with them. A small mom and pop place that also offers gardening classes would be best.
You should also consult your local agricultural extension service, often associated with a university with an agri. program. They will have master gardeners who are very knowledgeable about what grows best in your part of the country.
Also helpful is to get to know your neighbors who are good gardeners and ask them questions.
Good luck and don’t be afraid to experiment, it sometimes takes a while to establish the kind of garden you want.

 

How stomata is adapted in water lilies?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

any useful websites plz help, how the stomata has apadpted in water lilies

Nymphaea have stomata on the upper leaf surface and some no longer regulate the pore size so they can survive still waters with little dissolved O2. With a constant water supply the stomata are present for the uptake and egress of gasses but not able to close for water regulation/ desiccation prevention. These leaves have a water shedding cuticle to prevent rain pooling and blocking or entering the stomata.
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2009/08/nymphaea_odorata.php
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=lotus-leaf-inspires-water

Nymphaea have adapted to transport O2 to & CO2 away from the roots by using pressurized ventilation or convective flow. The air enters through the stomata of young leaves, down the stem to the rhizomes then returns through the stem to the stems of old leaves to exit their stomata. Open stomata allow this flow through.

The reason is that the pond floor would be anaerobic, without O2 provided the plant could not survive since it requires O2 for cellular respiration. The gas flow provides oxygen for normal metabolic growth rates in an oxygen deprived location.

http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/erp166
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/54950

 

How stomata is adapted in water lilies?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

any useful websites plz help, how the stomata has apadpted in water lilies

Nymphaea have stomata on the upper leaf surface and some no longer regulate the pore size so they can survive still waters with little dissolved O2. With a constant water supply the stomata are present for the uptake and egress of gasses but not able to close for water regulation/ desiccation prevention. These leaves have a water shedding cuticle to prevent rain pooling and blocking or entering the stomata.
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2009/08/nymphaea_odorata.php
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=lotus-leaf-inspires-water

Nymphaea have adapted to transport O2 to & CO2 away from the roots by using pressurized ventilation or convective flow. The air enters through the stomata of young leaves, down the stem to the rhizomes then returns through the stem to the stems of old leaves to exit their stomata. Open stomata allow this flow through.

The reason is that the pond floor would be anaerobic, without O2 provided the plant could not survive since it requires O2 for cellular respiration. The gas flow provides oxygen for normal metabolic growth rates in an oxygen deprived location.

http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/erp166
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/54950

 

How can I keep a blue heron away from my koi pond?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

I have a pond in my backyard that’s approximately 10 feet by 12 feet wide and 3 feet deep at it’s deepest point. It has a variety of frogs, snails, goldfish and koi in it. There are lily pads and a bridge that the fish can hide under. Tonight I saw my first heron in 9 years out back walking by the pond. I saw him land and ran out and scared him off. He came back 2 hours later. Luckily, again, I saw him land right away and ran out and scared him off. What can I do to protect my fish and to scare this heron away permanently. (short of shooting him, which I believe is illegal anyway). Thanks for your help!

Blue herons are beautiful but they can do some damage to a koi pond!

I don’t have a koi pond but I have heard of two things that are supposed to work:

Bird netting to keep them out

No shallow areas in the koi pond
Since herons are wading birds, they tend to fish in shallow water areas. No shallow water, no areas for the heron to fish. But of course that limits your koi sightings also.
Recently I was watching a small blue heron at the local botanic gardens koi pond. They didn’t have any shallow areas for the bird to wade though so he was limited to standing on the bank staring at the koi in the water. He never attempted a fish grab in the deeper water.