Plant Tips

How do I over winter my tropicals? November 1, 2003	Taros: Taros can be put in a vase of water and placed in a sunny spot in your home. Make sure that water stays just above the roots at all times. Tropical Lilies: Right around the middle of fall (depending on the weather), after the leaves have fallen off your plant and before it freezes (usually after the 2nd frost), dig into the lilly pot and pull out the tuber. it can be a tad smaller than your fist or as small as a walnut. Rinse it off and put it in a zip lock bag full of distilled water. Squeeze out the air. Store this bag in a cool dark place preferrably in the basement in a cooler. Lotus: Cut the lotus back and sink it to the bottom of your pond. It is recommended that it be at least 2 feet down because the water usually doesn't freeze that far down.
What do I do with my plants in the spring? May 1, 2003	Make sure you cut back all the dead plant growth from the prior year and remove it from the pond. If you have a Lotus still in its pot, move the pot closer to the surface of the pond. This will help it start to grow sooner because it will only grow in water that stays a constant 70 degrees or better. Once the Lotus starts to grow, slowly move it to deeper water until it is back where you want it.
Why is my hyacinth and/or water lettuce turning yellow? April 14, 2003	If your Hyacinth and/or Water Lettuce are turning yellow, they are not getting enough fertilization. Adding more fish to your pond will help this problem. Even if the plants are getting full sun all day, they still need fertilization to keep their color and to reproduce.
Too Much or Too Little Plant Growth January 1, 2003	If you feel your plants aren't growing fast enough, it is possible they are not getting enough fertilization. The easiest way to propagate your plants is to add a couple more fish. They will automatically fertilize for you. If you feel your plants are taking over your pond too quickly, you probably have too much fertilizer. You may want to think about taking some of your fish out. The rule of thumb is 1/4 inch of fish per square foot for a new pond. Add a couple of fish each year until you reach 1 inch of fish per square foot of pond surface for an established pond (2 to 3 years old).

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