Update on the pond. No signs of aquatic wildlife yet which is disappointing, I was hoping something might have noticed the the water by now! I know it's naughty but I can see the temptation behind some water-seeding from another local pond!
Pond as it looks now:
I have noticed a worrying red slime which has appeared around the pond, but only on the upper third. Any ideas what this is?
The pictures make it look brown, but it's really quite bright red!
I also have concerns over this plant which just looks a bit funny. The leaves are all mottled and sickly looking IMO?
It could just be how that plant is meant to look of course, but it would be good to have it confirmed if anyone can?
On a positive note, I noticed a teeny tiny bee using the pebbles at the side of the pond as a little house:
Give it time Phil, its early days, but it will come, honestly. Once the weather warms up properly and the plants and algae start growing then the insects will too. The bigger stuff will likely take longer, but if the habitat is there then nature nearly always takes advantage.
In regards to your plant, I recognise it, but cant remember what it is (am sure someone will be along to ID), but it looks ok to me. In my limited experience, pond plants often take a while to get going, but once they do they are pretty rampant. It has a decent amount of leaves, they are all floating nicely and look healthy enough to me.
I think patience is your friend here (I speak as somebody without any)
Cheers Jellyfire, I am incredibly impatient. I go out with a stick almost every day and threaten my plants to hurry up
I've found the label for that plant now; Nymphoides Peltata. Quick google search suggested mottled leaves so I'm happy with that. Only thing concerning me now is that weird red stuff.
Oh sorry forgot to say, that’s just a red algae, quite common in new ponds, probably means you have a low ph value of water. Nothing whatsoever to worry about (presuming you don’t have any fish in there), and will likely be gone in a month or so once the water finds a balance.
I understand the impatience, I was the same when I built ours last year. The water boatmen and pond skaters were first to arrive, relatively quickly after building it, but it was later in the year than now, but by about mid May it was teeming with life. You are all set up for it to be perfect for the wildlife. If you have decent eyesight stick a clear plastic container in there and scoop up some water to examine closely, I bet there is already a lod of minute stuff in there you haven’t noticed from above, it’s all about the food chain, you need the small stuff to get the bigger stuff
Well I've been having a nose at the pond this lunchtime and I spotted a second snail! I also saw some super tiny (half the size of a grain of sand) white creatures walking and swimming around. Far to small to identify but its life!
The marsh marigold has 4 flowers out now which is attracting bees and there are spiders, wildlife, ants and ladybirds all spotted around the edges. The garden is generally coming to life now and I know it will take longer than most people as it's been a barren wasteland for the best part of two years so a lot of life has to start from scratch. I am pleasantly surprised by the number of solitary bees I've seen, especially those investigating my bee houses!
Excellent stuff Phil, so much satisfaction to be gained turning a barren wasteland into a wildife haven! Those super tiny creatures are the appetisers, soon something will be along to eat those, and in turn become the first course..
Excellent stuff Phil, so much satisfaction to be gained turning a barren wasteland into a wildife haven! Those super tiny creatures are the appetisers, soon something will be along to eat those, and in turn become the first course..
Cheers it's all coming along nicely and my water is still crystal clear. I think putting in so many plants is ensuring they suck up all the nutrients before the algae can establish!
Well I've now spotted two burrowing beetles in the pond and the water is still lovely and crystal clear. I've also added a different type of oxygenating plant (water moss) to add to the diversity in there. I figure it can only help!
Like you last year i extended a mini wild life pond we had after been given frog spawn from a friend who pond was being run down. In addition he gave me 5 minnows and a couple of water snails. A year on now i have a healthy looking active pond with abundance of minnows and that many snail i dont think we saw algea on the walls of the pond for months
I have just looked through my pictures and seen one from a year ago and i have taken today. we haven't done much to it and let nature take over and handle it
Posts
Pond as it looks now:
I have noticed a worrying red slime which has appeared around the pond, but only on the upper third. Any ideas what this is?
The pictures make it look brown, but it's really quite bright red!
I also have concerns over this plant which just looks a bit funny. The leaves are all mottled and sickly looking IMO?
It could just be how that plant is meant to look of course, but it would be good to have it confirmed if anyone can?
On a positive note, I noticed a teeny tiny bee using the pebbles at the side of the pond as a little house:
In regards to your plant, I recognise it, but cant remember what it is (am sure someone will be along to ID), but it looks ok to me. In my limited experience, pond plants often take a while to get going, but once they do they are pretty rampant. It has a decent amount of leaves, they are all floating nicely and look healthy enough to me.
I think patience is your friend here (I speak as somebody without any)
I've found the label for that plant now; Nymphoides Peltata. Quick google search suggested mottled leaves so I'm happy with that. Only thing concerning me now is that weird red stuff.
The marsh marigold has 4 flowers out now which is attracting bees and there are spiders, wildlife, ants and ladybirds all spotted around the edges. The garden is generally coming to life now and I know it will take longer than most people as it's been a barren wasteland for the best part of two years so a lot of life has to start from scratch. I am pleasantly surprised by the number of solitary bees I've seen, especially those investigating my bee houses!
Like you last year i extended a mini wild life pond we had after been given frog spawn from a friend who pond was being run down. In addition he gave me 5 minnows and a couple of water snails. A year on now i have a healthy looking active pond with abundance of minnows and that many snail i dont think we saw algea on the walls of the pond for months
I have just looked through my pictures and seen one from a year ago and i have taken today. we haven't done much to it and let nature take over and handle it
Hope things go well for you
26 April 2019
29 April 2018