May 7, 2007

"Koi in your Garden Pond...and Pond Plant Tips"

In this issue:

<> Koi in your Garden Pond"

<> New Features at PondMarket.com

<> Pond Plant Tips

<> Fun (Pond) Fact (TM)

>>>> Koi in your Garden Pond

Spectacular! Colorful! Tame!

Koi are a great Pond Fish for larger Garden Ponds! Each Koi needs at least 250 to 350 gallons of water due to their mature size.

Nothing looks quite as majestic as a mature Koi (with a length of 2 to 3 feet) seeming to float through the water. Koi can be tamed to eat out of your hand and will recognize their owners quite readily.

Koi live a long time...in well maintained Koi Ponds a life span of 25 years is average...but longer life spans are not unheard of. But Koi MUST have adequate filtration, very good water quality and plenty of oxygen, especially during hot spells.

Nutrition is also very important. Koi grow fast and benefit from Growth Food and Vitamin Suppliments. Their colors will intensify and literally shine if fed a good quality diet.

Beneficial Bacteria additions are a must, to deal with the waste these wonderful fish produce, otherwise the pond bottom will accumulate a thick layer of "sludge" that acts like a compost pile to feed algae.

The PondMarket carries a wide selection of Koi Food, Beneficial Bacteria and Pumps and Filters to provide a cozy and healthy home for these great pets!

Visit www.pondmarket.com/store for Koi Supplies and don't forget to visit our information site at www.pondmarket.com to download our free e-book "Basic Pond Fish Care"!

>>>> New Features at PondMarket.com

Here at the PondMarket we are always looking for ways to make "ponding" more fun...and are continually adding new and fun stuff to our website! Just go to www.pondmarket.com and explore the menu on the left side...the further down the menu you go, the more fun it is... The newest additions?

GADGETS for your desktop and for Google!

Pond Recipes...go ahead and visit this page, find recipes to make for an afternoon or evening (or breakfast?) by the Pond! Or...submit your own to be published for other Pond Enthusiasts to enjoy!

Check out the "Pond Events" Page! There is always something going on at our Retail Facility in St. Louis. If you are a local subscriber...stop on by.... IF YOU TRAVEL this summer and are close to St. Louis, come visit! We are located conveniently at the intersection of Interstates 55 and 270.

>>>> Pond Plant Tips

This is the time of year to divide and re-pot your Pond Plants! Be sure to fertilize adequately with aquatic plant fertilizer (this is fertilizer specifically formulated to NOT feed algae, which is also a plant). It is also fish safe.

Water Lilies and Lotus in particular are very heavy feeders...and will bloom much more profusely if fertilized adequately (every three weeks or so).

Spikes are available for the other plants that will only need to be applied once and continue feeding all year.

Fertilizer tabs such as Lily Grow by Tetra are more suitable for Lotus and Water Lilies to make more fertilizer available faster to these spectacular plants. The PondMarket carries everything needed for Pond Plant Care. Visit the Plant Supplies Department at www.pondmarket.com/store

>>>> Fun (Pond) Fact

This is spawning time for Koi! Koi only spawn once a year...but the amount of eggs produced is enormous! They will eat their own eggs and small fry (baby fish), so be sure to provide lots of hiding places with plants. .Enjoyed this newsletter? Please pass it on to family and friends so they can subscribe to a copy of their own!