The papyrus plant functions well as a focal point within Oklahoma's aquatic plant arrangements, especially when it is surrounded by shorter plants. Although papyrus flowers aren’t breathtaking, it is considered the ideal architectural plant among pond owners due to its height at maturity, as well as its stalk sleekness and impressive umbels. Below are some tips for growing and maintaining it the right way.

​Papyrus is considered sedge, which makes it a relative of grass. It is a plant which is grass like in appearance, with stems that are triangular and flowers which are largely inconspicuous. It thrives in areas which are wet, and is believed to originate in Egypt near the Nile, where it was harvested by the Egyptians. Their size at maturity depends on a number of factors, most important of which is the location in which they are grown. In a North American backyard pond, papyrus can reach a maximum height of eight feet. In Ancient Egypt it is believed they attained heights of fifteen feet. The stem will emerge from the clump, and under it is a rhizome mass which is thick, which helps the plant to spread. The umbel can be seen on top, and the flowers which are brownish green will blossom during summer.

​Papyrus is native to Africa and as such is tropical. Therefore, to thrive in North American ponds special conditions must be maintained. First, it must be planted in a zone which is rated eight or warmer. These plants love sunlight, as well as soil which is rich and wet. Second, they must be protected from strong winds.  Overall, Papyrus doesn’t require a great deal of work when they’re treated like annuals. Those who live in warmer climates, such as the American south or southeast, should consider dividing them during spring to maintain their vigor. When dividing them, be sure to trim the aging rhizomes which are less healthy. Any vegetation which becomes brownish should be cleaned.

If you lack compost which can be used for amending your soil and have to use a store brought product, be sure to add a fertilizer which is balanced and ensure the plant is watered sufficiently. Papyrus is a tough plant which has been prized for its durability. Even in cases where it appears to be dead it might not be. When the foliage turns brown, the stem should be trimmed to about two inches above ground and then provided water. After a few weeks fresh shoots which are green in color may emerge.
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Papyrus is one of the most historically important plants you can add to your pond. It was referenced in the Old Testament and was used as writing material by the Ancient Egyptians up until the 8th century, after which it was phased out in favor of parchment. It was also used for food, medicine and construction.

Each year it seems we get calls, texts and e-mails from hundreds of Oklahoma Pond and Water Feature owners asking what they should do when the electricity goes out on their pond. Of course they want to find out what you can do for your pond fish if you lose power in Oklahoma.
 
It's happened to all of us, whether we know a storm is coming or the lights just go out, we lose power sometimes.  Many times it's not a big deal because it's off for a few hours maybe 6 tops. However when the power is off for days there could be problems.  At first our attention is on our families.  We need heat and water, will I lose all my food, can't flush the toilets, can't cook.  Our first goal is to get the needs of our families met, then the secondary concerns come to mind. 

My first secondary concern is my fish.  Unless you have a generator there is not much you can do except possibly purchase or have on hand a battery powered aerator.   These can be found on the internet, they are small, but something is better than nothing.  If you don't have a generator, I would highly suggest investing in one.  The prices for these range from $10-$30.  Have it on hand and should we lose power for an extended period of time you now have a back up to get that water oxygenated, especially during the summer months.  Here in Central Oklahoma during the Winter month's you do not have much to worry about. The main thing here is to make sure you keep a hole in the ice to allow gasses to exchange, the pump is not needed.  
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If you have a generator, you have it a bit easier!  This is the time you really should have an aerator.   Aerators are highly efficient means of aerating and deicing ponds, and we feel a must have if you have a pond.   

If it happens to be winter time, just make sure your deicer is unplugged should have one.  Plug the aerator into that generator and you're all set.  Aerators use very little electricity and will do the job in protecting your fish and providing oxygen and deicing during the winter months.  

The summer time is a bit different.  Your main goal is to get that aerator plugged in and running.  Depending on your generator and what circuits you have it running will depend on what you should do.  If the generator runs the pond outlet make sure everything else is unplugged- pumps, lighting, and any other items you have out there.  Then just plug the aerator in.   On the other hand, if the generator doesn't run the pond outlet, just get that aerator plugged into the generator or an outlet the generator is powering.   

Losing power is frustrating and stressful for you and your family.  Being prepared can lessen that stress and diminish the frustrations that come with being powerless.  

For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving your pond problems!
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Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

Did you know that the most common reason for winter fish loss is gasses getting trapped under the ice?  It's really a lack of a pond de-icer?  Yes! Often referred to as a "floating pond heater", they are invaluable to a Oklahoma ponds. Many people think it is because it got to cold or the fish froze.....not so.

​A de-icer or heater doesn't exactly heat up a pond like a warm swimming pool.  They actually keep one small area from freezing over.  Gases form in the water when decaying organic matter like leaves break down.  Gasses from the fish themselves build up in the water when it is iced over.   These trapped gasses can actually suffocate the fish!   A de-icer produces enough heat to keep the water from freezing around the unit.  This allows these gasses to escape the pond.   If you have lots of plants in your pond or more than 10 fish, you may want to consider using more than one de-icer to make sure there is enough ventilation.

​Although fish don't do a lot in the winter, they do need oxygen.   When aerators are used in combination with a de-icer the fish have a good supply of air and a way for off gasses to get out.  This benefits the plants as well as the fish.  To have healthier fish, plants and a thriving eco system use both throughout the winter.

​It is important that aerators are not placed at the bottom level of the pond.  There is a thermo-climb temperature gradient with in the pond during the winter.  Simply said, the bottom of the pond is warmer during the winter than the top because the earth is not frozen so far down.  The more shallow the water gets, the colder the water gets.  If an aerator disc is placed at the bottom level of the water, the fresh and very cold air that it brings in will disturb the natural temperature and make is too chilly for the fish.  To avoid this, place aerators on a top shelf in the pond.  No shelves in your pond?  Tie the aerator disc on the side at the level it needs to be. Just use fishing line to attach it to something outside the pond.

​It is actually ok for a pond to freeze over........as long as there is a hole for gases to escape.  When snow accumulates on a pond, it acts as an insulator from the harsh winter wind and dry Oklahoma air.  It keeps evaporation down and keeps the temperatures from fluctuating too much.  In the picture above, you can see the that waterfall does have snow on it, but that the moving water is still moving under it.  Moving water in pipes doesn't freeze!  The hole with arrow pointing to it is from an aerator bubbling up.  In very cold weather the water bubbbling can freeze over like a dome and may need to be broken up.

Typical outlets have circuit breakers of 15 or 20 amps and are 120 volt outlets.  If GIFs are tripped during the winter, heaters, aerators and pumps can get shut off just when you need them to run.  Pipes can freeze int eh middle of the night when pumps suddenly turn off.  Be sure your circuit can handle the volts of equipment you need to plug in for the winter at the pond.  Remember, that the circuit might be carrying load from the house as well. 

 For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving your pond problems!
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Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

Pickerel is a plant which can be found naturally throughout North America and is attractive due to its flowers which are spiked and blue. It blooms from the early part of summer until fall but must be properly cared for otherwise, it can be invasive, the result of its rooting system which is rhizomous.  The good news is that the plant is simple to care for, and as such is an excellent option for beginners.

The spires of this flower may display a soft or deep blue color and will rise a few inches over the body. This makes them outstanding for decoration around your pond. The plant is semi-aquatic and when submerged partially the leaves will float and provide the pond with shade which will shield it from unwanted algae blooms. They also introduce a foliage network which allows fish to conceal themselves.
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Despite its appearance, pickerel is a part of the grass family. The plants were first identified and named during the 18th century, and are known by botanists as Pontederia cordata. When growing they will appear in the form of clumps which have stems that are either flat or thick. They have a glossy foliage which will usually be dark green in color with a leaf that is shaped like a heart and which can grow from twenty four to thirty inches in height. The stems on specimens which are mature will display an elegant arch.

​This tenacious plant performs best when it is placed in a pot that is submerged, as this will stop excessive spreading. When planting you will want to ensure the rhizomes are divided between winter and early spring. Dig the plant up or take it out of its pot, then use pruner or a soil knife to slice the roots apart, resulting in each part having a few rhizomes and leaves which are healthy. Simply replant those new clumps and they will grow rapidly, boosting the presence of the pickerel weed.

It is also possible to dry and store the plant seeds. It will generally take a few seasons for seeded plants to showcase their flowers, and caring for pickerel after their seeds are germinated will require a combination of frequent sunlight and moisture. This is why you will want to plant them outside during spring. However, even if you make a mistake, these plants are so hardy that they can withstand virtually anything aside from drought or complete shade.
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Pickerels perform best when they are maintained in pots which are deep since their roots will stay moist. It is also possible to submerge the whole pot and allow the prominent leaves to float outward. Either way, the soil of your pond should be rich as well as heavy. When the soil is loamy with a pH that is moderately acidic, this creates the most optimal growing conditions. When pickerel is grown inside a pot its soil should be a mixture of peat and topsoil.

​For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving your pond problems!
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Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

Also referred to as the north pitcher plant, this species can make a great addition to your Oklahoma Water Garden or pond. This perennial plant has a vibrant color like water lilies, is simple to grow and is easy to find in North America, especially near the coasts of the Atlantic.

​When mature these plants will develop one flower which is about three inches in length. Watching their growth is a delight. Prior to opening the flower will appear as a ball which is dark colored on top of a stalk which is leafless. When preparing to open the pitcher plant will nod its top downwards, at which point the most dominant colors will be red and purple. The petals and sepals each will curve inward near the center of the flower. At this point the sepals will be the easiest to see, and once the plant blooms it can reach a height of twenty inches.
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These plants are native to North America, an aside from the Atlantic region they also appear in the central and eastern parts of the continent. This means they are common, readily available and affordable for those who own ponds and water gardens in Canada and the United States. The plant actually occurs in two subspecies, one which is found mostly in Canada, and another which grows heavily near Maryland. This plant spreads through both rhizomes and seeds, producing colonies.

When grown around a pond this plant requires complete sunlight. However, it also prefers areas which are wet, and thrives most when it is placed by a water feature’s edge, inside the bog garden or a damp swale. Many pond owners put them in containers with shallow water, with a mat made out of peaty soil and sphagnum moss. The plant will bloom between May and early June, and thus should be handled as specimen plants which are late spring. Their location works best when it is used as a miniature colony and focal point for the pond or garden.
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Another key thing to remember about the pitcher plant is that it is predatory. The reason for this is because the plant evolved in a bog environment which was poor in nutrients. Therefore, the plant has developed the ability to supplement its diet using more than what its roots may pull up. It is also the reason why the leaves appear as pitchers. The pitchers will fill up partially with water from rain, and will emit an odor which will attract insects. Once the insect gets close to the pitcher and lands on or within it they will slide down due to the slick surface, and will unable to escape due to the waxiness of the walls, which make them slippery. Additionally, the walls of the pitcher are covered in hairs which are rigid and also force the insects downwards into the water where they drown, after which their decaying bodies provide nutrients which the plant absorbs. The plant also consumes mosquito larvae and thus the purple pitcher plant can control insects naturally.

​For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving your pond problems!
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Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

Watercress is an aquatic plant that has played a key role in multiple civilizations throughout history. Also known as Nasturtium, it has a number of benefits which made it valuable to the ancients, and below are some reasons you should seriously consider adding it to your pond or water garden.

When planting watercress in Oklahoma ponds and water gardens it is best to do so within a waterfall or stream bed and keep it contained. This is because it thrives in areas with lots of moving water. It will often be necessary to encapsulate the roots with sizeable stones so that any fish you have in the pond won’t dig them up. Its growth will extend over the stones quite rapidly, at which point koi and other fish will be able to reach them. All you have to do is put the stem in water which is shallow beneath a rock or gravel and you will see growth within about three weeks. When watercress blooms it should do so with small white flowers.

​Another benefit of adding watercress to your pond is that like submerged plants it will enhance the beauty. You can grow it via seed, or you can obtain it whole through a garden store. When added to your pond it will boost its aesthetic appeal through softening its edges and producing lots of small flowers with green leaves. It must also be noted that watercress will enhance your pond’s water quality. It does this by eliminating particles and nutrients within the water, that otherwise would reduce clarity and quality. Given the fact that it can cleanse the blood, it is also more than capable of cleansing water. It will also keep string algae under control, displacing it by removing the nutrients that it needs for growth.

Over the years we have learned that watercress is very aggressive in Oklahoma waterways, thus we do not recommend unless you keep it closely monitored. Once watercress roots get out of their pot and enter the waterway, it's all over! You will never get rid of them, we've gone to the extent of replacing the pond liner only to have them come back in droves. Thus, be warned this plant must be taken care of or it will grow everywhere!

​For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving your pond problems!
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Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.