STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

And the water they are in is as warm as bath water - so warm the dogs don't want to drink out of the plant containers anymore. I was wondering if the plants flavored the water - the dogs seemed to prefer to drink among the roots before it got so hot.

This is the only lotus bud currently standing. It should open up in the next few days.

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The only lotus pod left standing - hubby has already cut down all the others.

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Bacopa aka Waterhyssop - a tiny little bloom

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Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Beautiful images, Sherry!! I hope you'll post a picture of the bloom when it opens. It's no wonder you have such a nice variety of dragons in your yard!

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

Beautiful shots, Sherry.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Sherry, again some fantastic photos of your abundant flowers. Thank you for sharing.

Greg

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Beautiful set Sherry. I lost my lotus to overwintering and haven't replaced it yet. Fine shots.
-Doc

angela k Loc: Long Island

Wonderful aquatic set, Sherry!! Love your lotus bud and pod, can't wait to see that in full bloom!! Is there a reason that your hubby cuts down the pods, they're so unique!! Do you have a pond in your yard??

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thank you, Donna. For this bloom, I hope to make a photo each day. The bloom only lasts 3-5 days, opening a bit more each morning and beginning to close again around noon, until it finally opens so fully all the petals fall off. Then you have the seed pod, yellow at first, progressing to green, then brown as it fully develops and spills the seeds. I haven't really noticed how long the entire process takes - maybe this is the one to document as I don't see any others arising from the dirt. But, gosh, that means I have a task to accomplish BEFORE NOON!!!!!

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thanks, Earl. Any unusual aquatics down-under? Y'all have so many things that are found nowhere else!

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thank you for looking, Greg, and for being so kind. I am loving my aquatics more every day.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thank you, Doc. My lotus is in a concrete container above ground. It was an impulse buy about this time last year so I've only had it for one winter. Before our first frost, I did wrap and cover the container, but the winter was mild enough that it probably wasn't necessary. If we ever lose it, I'm sure we'll replace it! We have it just outside our front door and enjoy it every time we come and go during its season.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Thank you, Angela. Hubby has been cutting the pods just before they spill their seeds so we can have them to plant in other containers - eventually. This lotus is in a concrete container about 2' deep with a 30" inside diameter. An impulse buy with which we are thrilled. Shortly after getting it, I began planning to buy a 8' x 2' stock tank for more lotus and some water lilies. I had to carefully introduce this plan to hubby, but he is now fully on board with it! And I'm wondering if we really should. He wants it put in-ground (cause his brother said to) and I want it above ground. Above ground will (maybe) keep the dogs out of it, and keep small children from accidently falling in. Build a lawn timber wall around it, fill the empty space with dirt for surrounding plantings; at the back, a waterfall spilling into it. Here I am, getting all excited about it again! I think the most difficult part will be leveling the site. Just a few days ago, I saw an internet article about the popularity of stock tanks being used for kiddy pools and aquatic ponds - so I expect now the price of the tank will skyrocket!!!

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Would be impossible for me before noon, Sherry, so good luck with your documenting.

angela k Loc: Long Island

I'd love to have a lotus, still don't understand, is yours in water or dirt?? We have a pond and a smaller one that we keep our water lilies in. We had 9 beautiful 16 year old koi that would rip the hell out of it, so we now keep the plant in the smaller pond. but sadly this year, all 9 died due to lack of oxygen, a sight I'll never get out of my mind... I still cry when I go out to the pond. We have 7 left and they are much younger and smaller. what I miss most is that the older ones would come right over and wait for me to pet them all and hand feed them.... one of these days, maybe these young ones will let me touch them. I think you can convince hubby to make you a raised pond, I love your idea and it really is peaceful just to look at!!! If you don't get a pre-fab pond, you can always used the rubber pond liners and shape it however you want!

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

I think the water lilies are planted the same way as lotus. The plant is in soil in its own container which needs to be covered by at least 8" (or maybe 12") of water. If planted directly in the bottom of a pond, they become rampant and fill the pond. Not in loamy soil as that is too loose, and must have gravel or something on top of the soil to keep it in place. We thought about koi, but the guys at the fountain/plant place say their waste is difficult to filter through a pump and we want to pump the water for either a spray or a waterfall. And we would only be feeding the raccoons, and feral cats, and whatever else eats fish and lives in the woods next to us. We couldn't cover the pond with anything to protect the koi if we want the tall lotuses - which is our primary goal. Hubby is not able to provide any labor -- it's all on me. He just watches and tells me how everything I am doing is wrong as I continue to do it my way. I may pay someone to level the site and I can take it from there.

Peaceful is what I'm looking for! I have a 3-tier fountain in my garden and I just love the sound of the water spilling from one level to the next. It's been out of commission for about a week - our Beagle pulled the plug out of the receptacle and chewed up the cord. Not fixed yet and I miss it. A friend is doing a lot of repair/maintenance/remodeling work for us and I told him that first thing Monday I want my fountain fixed!!! Maybe he will. Maybe he won't. He's working for us at such a cheap rate, he pretty much does as he pleases. When he pleases. If he pleases. And I'm okay with that; he's been a good friend for a long, long time. Still, as cheap as his rate is, money is money and I do whatever I can!

So, what are you doing to aerate your pond for the remaining koi?

angela k Loc: Long Island

I totally understand your reasoning.... if you want lotus, you can't net a pond, I know that first hand, so we opt for just water lettuce and hyacinth, anything taller than that, goes in a pot outside the pond. We have a waterfall and a strong filter, but when that horrible day happened, we had a leak in the pond and the pond guy said to shut the filter off so we can pinpoint where the leak was and sure enough, it was on the upper waterfall. We never turned the filter back on because he was coming that Saturday to fix it and that week we had very hot weather.... we just didn't think and had no idea this would happen. Unfortunately the large and older fish are effected first and that's why all our 16 year olds died.... thankfully the young survived. So now we also have a bubbler that we keep on the bottom, this will never happen again!!

I'm sure your handy man friend can fix your fountain by just splicing in a new wire.... I'm sure you were mighty pissed at your pup!!! It sounds like you have a long list for him to do, so he should start with the easiest first and that will make you the happiest and then just start checking the rest off!! Good luck with your projects... there's always something that has to get done!!