I have a few new pond plants this year here in zone 4 that I know are not hardy. Parrots feather and Taro and water hyacinth and water lettuce. Has anyone ever had any luck overwintering these under lights in shallow water? Do I need to keep the water moving? Thanks! Curlann
How do I keep these water plants??????????
I believe the Taro is a bulb that you can dig up just like other elephant ear bulbs and overwinter in a dry pot. The parrots feather you may be able to overwinter in an aquarium. I don't know about the hyacinth and water lettuce though. Those two are pretty inexpensive to purchase in spring and grow so rapidly that it might be more trouble that it is worth to try to overwinter.
Yeah, people up north put a tub in their basement with an aquarium heater (or not, depending on how warm you would want it) and a flourescent light all the time to overwinter a few plants from their pond.
Curlann, Don't try and over winter the hyacinths and water lettuce, it just doesn't work. they need to much tropical temps and light. In the spring there is always some on Dave's garden to trade for. The taro suggestion is good and the parrot feather will do well in a fish tank;Here in Michigan I have tried to 'save' the hyacinths and lettuce only to have them turn to mush by January. So every year I trade for some..Happy pondering
Ann
The water hyacinth and water lettuce look bad by March and poop out when I've had grow lights on them. I've tried it twice inside with pretty much the same results. They also seem to get buggy too. I'm zone 6 or 7 depending on who you talk to.
I haven't used a heater in the water or had the water circulating. Friends in zone 7 and 6 do them in their greenhouses okay.
I concur about the WH and WL, they are very inexpensive so it is not worth the effort.The EE are tubers and just remove the dirt and put them in a cool dry place. Happy ponding Bellie
Good deal- saves me alot of headache. Thanks for all those who responded and the useful information. The fall colors are starting to turn here in southern MN. Getting ready to clean out the pond for winter. Some years I have left the fish and lilies out there with a heater to keep an open hole but this year I think I will bring them in. Have a very cool but not freezing shed to put the lilies in for the winter and will bring fish into the house in an aquarium. Thanks again for the info on pond plants:) Happy Gardening!
I cant explain why but for 2 years I have managed to overwinter WH floating in one of those plastic shoe boxes from walmart and just sitting in a window with southern exposure. I put the box almost full of pond water - change it monthly and add just a pinch of Miracle grow ( a tiny pinch ! ). They look pitiful about Mar but they have made it thru.
charlotte
curlann. Don't know deep your pond is, but I leave my fish in the pond all winter. I keep a pump running with the water aimed upward to keep the surface water moving. that keeps a hole open all winter. The water lilies and lotus just sink to the bottom. and they winter fine. In the spring bring them back to a proper level. and they take off again. also change out some water in spring and treat for parasites and bacteria, as they start getting active before the fish do.
My pond is 3&1/2' deep on one end and about 2' on other end. The disavantage---- you cant always see the fish unless they are near the hole.
I do however keep a few babies in an aquarium over the winter. I get to watch them grow, That usually gives me plenty to play with.
I have tried to winter W/L in the aquarium but it don't seem to work. However that and water hyacinth do make pretty good mulch for the garden. So to me it isn't a loss. I do hate having to buy it every spring though. This year my pond seemed to be too cold for it to flurish, May have to do with a new pump and more water going over the waterfalls, keeping the water temp a little lower???