Pond Garden

[gillymrd]

 this is my Dish it’s 2m in diameter. This picture is when I first got it and set it up, but since I have let it go and I want to re-establish it with Plants. I bought some water plants and also some floaters which are black rubber rings that hold the pot up so I thought I would try that this time because I found it with regular pots. The water got really dirty. So my question is given that it’s mostly the roots that will be dangling in the water what soil mixture should I use. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of advice about these floater devices and I wasn’t sure whether I should be using the same soil as normal or something different. Thanks so much

[JacobZ]

Hi @gillymrd,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

I can't say I'm 100% positive about what the best course of attack would be in this situation, but I suspect the issue of cloudiness is due to the silt in your soil. There are aquatic soil mixes, but I'm not aware of a product you could purchase for this purpose. 

I would use regular potting mix, but I would soak it until the water coming out of it runs clean before dropping the pots in your pond garden. This should clear away the lighter silt before it is placed in your pond.

Allow me to tag @Noelle, @mich1972 and @Jewelleryrescue to see what they think.

Jacob

[gillymrd]

Thank you for response. 
I wasn’t sure about your response as I didn’t mention cloudiness or silt however I appreciate your interest. 
If you think the members you tagged might help I’ll be very grateful. 
cheers

Gillian

[JacobZ]

Hi @gillymrd,

I may have misunderstood what you meant when you said, "the water got really dirty".

Was it not dirty because of the potting mix? Was it more of an algal problem?

I had assumed that the moving water was picking up the light particles in the soil, which is silt.

Jacob

[gillymrd]

Thanks again, the dirty water comment was how it was previously that’s why I have decided to try the floaters (which you sell near the aquatic plants )so that the plants roots basically sit in the water but not the whole pot. . 
so I’m looking for suggestions for potting mix for this new system of putting pots in floaters. 
thank you. 

[EricL]

Hello @gillymrd 

One medium you can try to use is the Brunnings 2.5L Hydro Clay Pebbles. They are baked clay balls made by baking and tumbling natural clay at high temperatures. As a result, they are super lightweight and porous with high air content. Hydro Clay Pebbles have a neutral pH value, are fungus free and will not rot. They also absorb moisture when soaked in water. They are often used in hydroponics and aquaponics where a soil free medium is required. This should keep your water clean and free of soil and dirt.

I also suggest at having a look at the Osmocote 250g Scotts Water Gardens And Aquatic Plants Controlled Release Fertiliser to help keep your plants fertilised. 

Here is a handy guide to help with your project: How to grow aquatic plants.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @gillymrd 

Just to start off, think about plants only need nutrients not soil.  !!!    As a casing point hydroponics need no soil consider your pond like a hyroponic pond.

We just mentally assume plants grow best in soils etc because that's how a zillion plants growing real soil getting nutrients out of the soil.  

So the  real purpose of soil in water is to hold the plants and roots in place while letting the plant root access the water and added nutrients. As long as we feed them with a liquid fertilizer or equivalent with minerals for ponds. Basically, that's what  we do for land bases plants anyhow.

Your  Question is soil types.  Don't use regular potting mix as it will keep mudding the pond in your situation.

@JacobZ  is 1000% correct in suggesting aqua Soil mixes usually sold by pond suppliers.  Typically, this soil has little to no clay and fine silty partials to cloud /dirty the water.

Your pond ideal Setup is

1  Aqua soil for pots Many to choose from look in your local area. 

2  Osmocote Aquatic plant food  This is month slow release fertilizer  for water and has no nutrients water build up for algae blooms

3 if  algae blooms occur green water in vert in a one pond filter pump and uv light for good clean water does not stagnate. As your pond is full sun too.

4  Optional Small pretty fish that don't mind the  Out doors as they eat mosquito Larve etc.  Fish produce ammonia which is converted via the nitrate cycle ultimately into fertilizer for plants as well so beware not to over do  extra nutrients to the pond with fish in there Like the little neon fish.  The green water will tell you too much nutrients.

Nice  feature  pond  enjoy hope this  helps