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Post by The witch on Mar 15, 2007 23:19:53 GMT 1
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Post by plocket on Mar 16, 2007 9:23:25 GMT 1
Wow that's a comprehensive list Sean - thank you!
I'm growing ragged robin from seed so if they germinate mum can have some of those. Most of the places I've enquired at for plants suggest that it's a bit early still, and as it's mum's birthday tomorrow I've done a sort of gift voucher for her suggesting some plants, many of which you mention. With everyone's help I've listed the following plants as suggestions for her, with pictures:
Caltha Palustris / Kingcup March Marigold
Manyanthes Trifoliata / Bog Bean
Nuphar Luteum / Brandy Bottle
Nymphoides Peltata / Floating Heart
Myosotis Scorpioides / Water Forget-me-not
Butomus Umbellatus / Flowering Rush
Hopefully that's a list of varied British Natives - some marginals and some floaters. It's a huge pond so starting off with some means she can add more in the future.
I don't know what type of beetle mum has except that it's large and golden looking so hopefully it's your diving one The witch. I think I had a photo of one from last year so I'll have a hunt to see if I can find it.
Hia Madon - yes Stapeley isn't far away. Is it a good place to go to for plants then? I've wandered around the water gardens but haven't bought plants from them as I don't have a big pond!!!
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Post by plocket on Mar 16, 2007 10:40:35 GMT 1
This is M&Ds pond beetle:   They've also had some beautiful dragonflies - is this a dragonfly larvae:  And has anyone any idea of what sort of newt this is? There were loads of them last year!  |
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Post by Sleepy on Mar 16, 2007 10:43:41 GMT 1
I thought there were only 2 kinds of newt:
Common newt
Greater crested newt (very rare and very protected)
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Post by madonplants on Mar 16, 2007 10:53:09 GMT 1
I have only been there once and that was mainly for fishing equipment. I was returning from a canal holiday and it looked impressive. It is supposed to be one of the best around for water gardening, so if you do have it nearby, you should be OK for plants.
I agree about the Great Diving Beetle. If you see one take it out and kill it, as it and its larvae, could decimate your other wildlife. The trouble is, as they fly, it is hard to stop them coming. They look around for the reflection of water and fly in. I am sure if you Google Great Diving Beetle you will find out more about it, but they are not a wildlife pond's friend. Whether they are like the freshwater pike and only take the weak ones, I don't know, but I have always been told to get rid if I ever had one.
Keith
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Post by madonplants on Mar 16, 2007 10:57:54 GMT 1
I thought there were only 2 kinds of newt: Common newt Greater crested newt (very rare and very protected) And the Palmate newt. The common newt is the Smooth newt. That one looks like a Smooth newt. Keith |
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Post by plocket on Mar 16, 2007 11:23:28 GMT 1
A cute newt anyway!!!  I had a look at Bridgemere for plants, as well as online, but if I can get what mum wants from Stapeley we'll go there. Thanks Madon! I'm going to have to look up this great diving beetle to see if it's what mum's got - she likes them so I hope they are nice beetles!!! |
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Post by Sleepy on Mar 16, 2007 11:25:17 GMT 1
No P, diving beetles are deadly killers.
They will devastate the wildlife in your pond. They can even kill small goldfish.
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Post by plocket on Mar 16, 2007 11:31:08 GMT 1
I realise that, which is why I want to know whether the photo I've shown is of a diving beetle, or a different type of beetle.
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Post by The witch on Mar 16, 2007 11:37:05 GMT 1
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Post by plocket on Mar 16, 2007 13:25:10 GMT 1
I guess my photo IS of a great diving beetle then. I don't think mum would deliberately kill them and there's lots of wildlife in the pond so hopefully nature will balance out.
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Post by madonplants on Mar 16, 2007 13:37:40 GMT 1
I guess my photo IS of a great diving beetle then. I don't think mum would deliberately kill them and there's lots of wildlife in the pond so hopefully nature will balance out. Like I said, they 'may' help weed out the weaklings, just like most predators. Why else do frogs lay so much spawn? Trout fisheries stock a few pike, to allow them to predate on the weaker fish, so only the strong fish survive. Short of regularly netting the pond and finding them, there is not much you can do, as they fly in or their eggs come in on plants. Keith |
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Post by seanmckinney on Mar 16, 2007 13:44:00 GMT 1
There are several varieties of diving beetle and the only way I know of differentiating them is by size, the NON dangerous ones are up to 1/2" maybe even 3/4" but anything over that and in the shape of the beetle you show gets splattered as soon as I can catch it. They squelch so do it under foot otherwise you may get splattered. I dont know if great diving beetles pupated from the larvae to a full sized adult or if the adults forms grow and molt? their cases but the great diving beetles I have seen have been 1 to maybe 2 inches long. BTW damsel fly nymph and greater water boat men will also take small fish fry (I have seen them) and maybe tadpoles but I wouldnt worry about their impact, I assume dragon flies nymphs will also take small fry and tadpoles Keith re the GDB, if you do a google search for "whis4ey" or have a look fujiyamagarden.com/ he has them in his pond they seemingly wiped out all the fry I added to his pond last year. The heron had cleaned out his adult fish and I gave him some of my hatchlings. The blurry larvae was photographed in his pond |
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Post by Sleepy on Mar 16, 2007 13:48:53 GMT 1
Well that's a relief. I've not seen any beetles in my pond of that size  |
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Post by madonplants on Mar 16, 2007 14:19:11 GMT 1
There are several varieties of diving beetle and the only way I know of differentiating them is by size, the NON dangerous ones are up to 1/2" maybe even 3/4" but anything over that and in the shape of the beetle you show gets splattered as soon as I can catch it. They squelch so do it under foot otherwise you may get splattered. I dont know if great diving beetles pupated from the larvae to a full sized adult or if the adults forms grow and molt? their cases but the great diving beetles I have seen have been 1 to maybe 2 inches long. BTW damsel fly nymph and greater water boat men will also take small fish fry (I have seen them) and maybe tadpoles but I wouldnt worry about their impact, I assume dragon flies nymphs will also take small fry and tadpoles Keith re the GDB, if you do a google search for "whis4ey" or have a look fujiyamagarden.com/ he has them in his pond they seemingly wiped out all the fry I added to his pond last year. The heron had cleaned out his adult fish and I gave him some of my hatchlings. The blurry larvae was photographed in his pond I did say they 'may' help weed out, as I am no expert. I feel sorry for him, if they did wipe out his youngsters. I believe perch like them, but not sure if you can mix them with ornamentals. Anyone know this? I know they have a good defence mechanism in that they exude a foul smelling substance if attacked and they come out of the water to turn into adults. This is other than the obvious fact that they predate on small fish, tadpoles and their own kind if memory serves me correct. Maybe I should Google them and find out more!! Keith |
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Post by madonplants on Mar 16, 2007 14:31:21 GMT 1
Just Googled the GDB, wish I hadn't. It reminded myself how the larvae kill and eat their prey! Yugh!!!!
Keith
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