I often give the names of suppliers when I know their whereabouts, as sourcing products can be a very time-consuming business here. As this journal is principally concerned supplying such information, I do not think it fair to mention suppliers who do not advertise in these pages. In future I will only mention by name those who do.
This does not mean I withhold information. It does mean that you will have to telephone 087861036149 to gain access to the information. You may also use this number to speak directly to me. Ask for Garden Doctor, as the phone is answered by others from time to time, or email: gardendoctor08@yahoo.com
Mr. CJ, Ubud, writes: I want to create an ornamental pond in my garden. Please give me some tips with regard as to how to go about this.
You do not give me much detail in your enquiry so this reply has to be rather general. There are some questions that you must ask yourself first. Do you want your pond to be as nature makes a pond, or do you want a formal pool (ie: square, rectangular, geometric form, stone-work, statuary, etc.)? Is the pond to be a small water feature from size 1-2 sq.m. size, or medium, or large?
Really small formal ponds can a look a bit pretentious, so let us settle on an informal shape of medium size. (Remember that medium and large are governed by the area of your garden and must be in proportion to its overall size.)
Some general pointers to keep in mind:-
Do not dig to a uniform depth – 2-3 levels gives you the opportunity to grow more aquatic plants.
Informal ponds are best lined with some kind of PVC sheeting. Heavy black plastic may be used, but is subject to tears and punctures. Depending on size, use proper pool or dam liners. (Consult CV Tropical Pool and Spa about this.)
Stock the pond with ornamental fish for mosquito control.
Always provide an outlet of sufficient diameter to cope with overflow. Cover the in-pool end with a fine mesh unless you want to find your fish gasping their last on the ground/lawn after heavy wet season rains.
Provide shelter to the fish from sun and predators by using water plants, rocks; a few submerged terracotta/plastic pipes give extra security.
Have some kind of moving water (cascade/fountain) to maximize oxygenation of the water. Apart from this practical need, the sight and sound of moving water is both soothing and cooling.
If your site is sloping, chose the lowest point of your garden to locate the pool. Run-off from rains can refresh and renew the pond water; of benefit to both plant and aquatic life. If your resources permit, you might think of a little stream running from the highest point in your garden to the pond. This will require a larger pump in order to re-circulate the water.
Take the time and trouble to properly install your electricity supply. Pumps, their attached cables and 12volt converters (if used) are usually safe for submerged operation but the 220-240 volt supply is not.
This cable should be protected by running it through ordinary PVC water pipe (with joins properly glued) installed underground. This should be at a depth shallow enough to be easily accessible for maintenance purposes, but deep enough to avoid damage by digging implements. The point where mains supply and pump meet should be protected by some kind of waterproof enclosure.
The shaping of both pool and/or watercourse should imitate nature – not too many twists and turns and not too fancy a pond edge. Use a garden hose to form the outline and mark it out accordingly. You can construct mini cascades and rapids in the stream by judicious use of large river stones.
The outline of the pond edge may also be broken up by suitable plants; eg: reeds, papyrus, with some parts edged by large river stones to give easy access to the pond for cleaning/maintenance. Water plants such as lotus (Nelumbo spp.), water lilies (Nymphaea spp.), you will also need floating oxygenators such as Elodea and Cabomba.
Water hyacinth is good for this, the roots making an ideal environment for fish breeding. As this plant multiplies rapidly, regular culling is required; it can quickly take over. Leaves and other rotting vegetation should be regularly skimmed, as the rotting process quickly uses up oxygen in the water apart from being unsightly.
You might also consider spot-lighting the pond area, making the pond visible at night when you are sitting outside enjoying Ubud’s cool night breezes. Other life will be drawn to the pond – birds during the day to drink and bathe; frogs and other aquatic life at night.
Please send all your gardening questions to
E-mail: gardendoctor08@yahoo.com
