Genesee Valley

Pond & Koi Club Newsletter

 Volume 5 Issue 5                                                                                                             May 2001

Salutations from Larry

It appears that spring has finally arrived. The water plants have started to sprout, the fish are actively swimming, the ground is drying out, the marsh marigolds are blooming and so is the algae in unfiltered water. My pond water was very clear and everything was fine as the snow and ice cover left the pond. Due to the unusually cold spring, I thought that it would be better for the fish to conserve what little heat that the water was receiving by not starting the recalculation system until the temperature was more stable and normal. Unfortunately, there was more than sufficient light and with very limited plant life to consume a winter's worth of nutrients and the algae grew rapidly. Result - very murky water. The filters are now running but it will take several weeks for the plants and filter to bring the water back to it's early clarity. I hope others did not make this mistake or can learn from it.

The water is warming up and it will soon be stable enough to start feeding fish. While the water is still cool (50's), it is best to feed lightly with wheat germ and oat based foods. There are interesting articles in the March/April issue of "Water Gardening" magazine on this topic. I hope we can discuss some of these highlights at the May meeting along with the presentation on walls and pavers.

Larry H.

Club Shirts

It has taken a bit of time but club shirts will be available at the meeting on Friday. If you have ordered a shirt please pick it up Friday. The cost is $18.00. There are a few extra shirts available if anyone else is interested. The sizes will be large and extra large.

Lean Newsletter

We apologize for the briefness of this newsletter but once again there is only so much we can do in a limited amount of time. The solution is some help (articles) from other members ... please. We have no color first page this month because we are once again out of pictures of our members' ponds. The pond of the month is everyone's favorite part of the newsletter but we need YOUR help!

Pond Tour 2001

Brian Nagel has started to plan the 2001 Genesee Valley Pond and Koi Club Pond tour. This year's tour is scheduled for Saturday July 2 1 '. We would like to extend a special invitation to those members who have not been on previous pond tours to open their pond to club members for a visit. Everyone has a special talent for developing his or her water creation. No matter how big or small ponds are they are always interesting to visit. So please call Brian and overwhelm him with options on how to arrange this year's tour. Brian's number is 385-0495. The success of this tour depends on GVPAKCs' members.

Food and More

A few stray cans of Tetra's pond foods have been seen on some shelves in the area. However, the 2001 shipments will not arrive in the United States until June I'. Tetra has resolved its "complications" with the US Agriculture Department so it is once again clear to import it's food.

If you have been in the market for Scottish Barley Bales

you may not have been able to find these as well this season. The straw has also banned from importation due to the risk of spreading Foot and Mouth disease into the United States. Yes, Scottish barley comes from England and therefore restricted. Distributors of this product have also been working intensely to resolve this problem. They too have succeeded in meeting the Agriculture Departments' requirements and shipments of barley straw are on the way.

Scottish Barley straw is added to a pond by some hobbyists to control algae growth. A variety of bacteria grow on the soggy straw and inhibit the growth of algae. This product has been used in England since the Middle Ages!

Water Plant Exhibit

The Genesee Valley Pond and Koi Club will host a water plant display at the LilyFest event at Bergen Water Gardens on Friday June 22 to Sunday June 24'h. If each member would bring at least one of their favorite plants we would have a great display for the public! It could be a lily, lotus, iris, rush, papyrus ... whatever you like. Please contact either Larry with your selection. We will start a sign up sheet at this month's meeting. Do NOT forget the auction to benefit GVPAKC on Sunday at 1:00. Please bring a friend and help with this event! This is an excellent opportunity for the club to raise additional revenues to bring in national speakers!