TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Here in NC, everything is now in bloom - Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbuds, Japanese Maples, even Hostas - quite a show. But today is truly the spring awakening - the Koi in my pond have arisen from the depths after their long winter hibernation and begun to break their fast and have their first spring meal. They decend to the bottom of the pond around the end of October and stay very still, without eating, for about 5 months - amazing. Koi are not like goldfish - they are generally larger, wiser and much older - Koi may live 50 - 100 years, and my largest are ~ 3 feet long. I have about 50 now, and there may be more - will be looking for new babies as the year progresses. All these were hatched in the pond - the offspring from the original pair. Sadly, the female did not survive the winter 2 years ago (which is unusual), but the male, the largest in the pond leads the school as they swim around the pond - they all form up on him with almost military precision.. Koi are highly prized in Japan and can fetch tens of thousands of $ (!). Here in Raleigh, we now have enough interest for an annual Koi show where they are exhibited in large tubs and are bought sold. I may attend this year to find some new color patterns to add some diversity to the pond.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Very interesting Trix!! What do you feed them? It must take quite a bit with as many as you have and as large as they are.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

You have a pond ----- or a lake???

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's amazing how they adapt.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I have a converted in ground swimming pool - 12’x30’x3-1/2’ deep = 10,000 gallons. Filled the bottom with sand to bring the depth up to 3-1/2’ and lined it with a liner used for toxic waste dumps. I use the original sand filter system and a smaller upper pond for biological filtration (nitrogen removal). The sides are constructed of solid concrete blocks (mortared in place) with removable slate tiles on top. There’s a skimmer on one end, and the water is pumped into the top pond where it falls back into the main pond. Zero upkeep (unlike the pool) except to cover it for a few months in the fall to keep out leaves. Water is added automatically as needed, and there is an overflow. There are 4 platforms (made of stacked ceramic chimney liners) 1-1/2’ under the surface to hold potted aquatic plants.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There is a Japanese Garden in San Francisco, CA, that has an amazing Koi pond. If you've never been, it is worth a look if you happen to be in the area. I've seen it a couple of times, last in about 2009. The entire garden is a photo opportunity. It is not a place where you take a camera if you have non-photographer family members with you! They won't be patient...

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

That is ABSOLUTELY beautiful! Very impressive.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Wow! Great use of an old pool.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks! One in Portland Oregon also.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thank you Bill and Fredrick for the kind words. When we bought the house 20 years ago, the pool was a mess, plus because of the overhanging trees, it was always a “cold pool” and required daily cleaning. I hate cold water (ice cold showers at midnight in VietNam), so it was a no brainer. Started out as a mixed pond with both Koi and fancy Goldfish, but the Koi are slowly winning out. The big breakthrough in new Koi came when a family of Barred Owls moved in. They quickly removed the bullfrogs, who I realized after years of no new Koi babies, were eating the Koi eggs. After they were “disappeared”, we stared having new Koi. I think the pond will comfortably support about a hundred. Unlike humans, fish are self population limited - when they fill the available space, the quit having offspring.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

I took this picture just before last Thanksgiving at the Portland Japanese Garden. That place is magical!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

A wonderful image of one of my favorite places - the Portland Rose Garden and Japanese Garden.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

No kidding! I now have family nearby. Must. Go. See.