Can't Have a Pond so I'll Have a Bucket :)

Another photo of the 2 water lily flowers that opened fully in a rare spell of sunshine today

 

Hi Armandii, I don't know the name of it sorry, only that it is a pygmy/dwarf lily

 

Bilbo675,what is that pinky purple plant in your container? I've seen it in gardens but never in water, I really like it it certainly adds a splash of colour

 

@Bilbo675 ...I think your bucket is fab and I'd love to have a crack at doing something similar.

When you say you'd take steps to protect it if the temps fell below -5C in a harsh winter, what would you do? Sorry if that's a very basic question.

 

I've bought a wee solar pump, would it be ok to put it in my half barrel with my water lily or should they be in still water?

 

Hi Dixy, the pinky colored plant is Houttuynia cordata and will happily grow in damp ground as well as shallow water. Regarding the solar pump, I believe water lilies do prefer still water that isn't being continually 'moved' by a fountain say

Hi Fern, initially I would wrap a thick layer of large cell bubblewrap around the container but if need be I would remove what ever plants I thought could be at risk and pop them in a bucket in the greenhouse, but generally most pond plants are pretty hardy and the chances of an 18 inch deep tub freezing solid in this country are quite slim. With things like frogbit though its perhaps best to remove a few in the autumn and pop them in a shallow tray in the greenhouse just in case, they are hardy but you won't find them once they've gone dormant if you had to protect them in a worst case scenario

 

thanks Bilbo675 for your help, I'll put it in another wee plastic barrel I have and make a feature from it with stones. mind you, if the sun isn't really shining its a poor effort!!! Thanks again

 

Some photos from today, the first 2 water lily flowers have faded but another has now opened on the other lily and there's another bud popped up too


Here's a couple from a 'frog's eye view', the frogbit is looking amazing now, wonder if it'll flower

 

Thanks Bilbo. I haven't got a greenhouse (yet!) but I think I'll take a chance on a large tub not freezing and give it a whirl. The photos are fab by the way....the lily is lovely.

 

hello again Bilbo675 , I wonder if I could pick your brain again?? Are Ramshorn Snails good for putting in my water barrel, and how many do you think I will need, I don't want to get too many and kill them off, will they help to keep the water clear...its really dirty looking at the minute, as well as getting some aereating plants? Thanks

 

Hi dixy, yes ramshorn snails would be great, I put 10 in my bucket last year and to be honest I'd almost forgot about them, I'll have a look later to see if there's any still in there

Oxygenating weed is also a bit of must, it helps keep the water healthy it can be vigorous but easily controlled in a bucket.

Essentially try and get 2 or 3 marginals, some oxygenating plants, a floating plant and a dwarf or pygmy water lily. The aim is get 2/3 of the water surface covered and this should help keep algae down and the water clear

 

I've got a pygmy water lily which hasn't flowered but has half a dozen leaves, another floating plant (cant remember its name) Im hoping to get up to Glasgow tomoro and I'll go to dobies for some proper aquatic pots and compost. I'll order some ramshorns from ebay, thanks again for your help ( I need all I can get) !!