February 2013
E Newsletter
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This is the time of
year I like to think about the spring . You might be interested in the
maintenance instructions for water plants in the water garden for the
upcoming season This newsletter will include some pointers for getting your
pond and plants ready for spring.
We also received a very
nice article from our fish breeder on the sex of koi. I've always said to
watch who chases who ( boys chase the girls) .But here are a few other tips
to learn, Is it a boy or a girl?
I hope you enjoy
this months newsletter. Let us know on Facebook
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In this Newsletter
Early Spring
Maintenance
Koi Gender
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When we have warm
days I can't help but want to be outside and working.
Here is my to do
list
- I net out
algae that is getting a head start.
- I net out
any leaves that got past the netting before they start to decompose.
- And most
important trim off dried winter foliage before spring growth begins.
If I forget to trim the winter foliage it takes twice as long to
clip the plant and avoid new spring growth.
- Early
repotting for water lilies and lotus can take place around the
middle of march .
- Hardy
marginal plants can be repotted beginning the first of April . Most
early growth can handle a light frost while becoming established.
Tropical water plants you should wait until after the last frost.
We
will have lots of new containers available for all your repotting of
water plants including
- Lotus Tubs
23w"x10"h or 16"w x7"h
- 3 gallon
(estimated ) 11"w x 7.5"h
- Marginal
containers 22"x12"x7" Great for combining two plants
together into one container.
For
more information about how to report your water plants see the web site www.grasslandaquatics.com at the
"Education" tab
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16"
x7" moxed container
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Is it a boy or a girl? How to determine the sex of your
koi? By Blue Ridge Fish Hatchery
1.) The Shape
The sex of a young Koi does not
affect its body shape until it begins to reach sexual maturity, which is
usually at around three years of age. Most females at this age will start
to carry eggs and will tend to be more rounded and "blimp"
shaped. Males are more streamlined and torpedo shaped. Males lack the
swollen abdomen of females. Generally speaking, females will grow to a
larger size than males. Take a look at the pictures for an example
of the two.
2.) The Feel
Generally by two years of age, male
koi will start to feel rough to the touch, especially during the spring
season as temperatures are rising. If you rub your fingers on the gill
plates and along the side of the body, it feels like sandpaper. Females
will be slick and smooth to the touch.
3.) The Vent
The male vent will be
more con-caved in appearance where-as the female vent will be convex
and slightly protruding with a slight pink appearance
4.) The Behavior
During the spring spawning season
sexually mature males will chase the females, nudging them with their
nose to encourage her to release her eggs.
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Winter Store
Hours Monday - Saturday 9:00-4:00 Wednesday 10:00-54:00
March
1 Monday - Saurday 9:00-5:00
April
15th Sunday 12:00-4:00
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Contacts
Cathy Green
2164 Hllsboro Rd Franklin TN 37069
615-790-0776
grassland@grasslandaquatics.com
www.grasslandaquatics.com
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