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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2009 21:42:15 GMT
My pond looks crap at the moment only the marsh marrigolds look good so ive been looking for plants and grasses for around the edges Found this idea which i thought looked good. Anybody know of a cheap way i could make these it would shade the pond a bit better for me www.watergarden.org/Pond-Supplies/Floating-Island-PlantersCheers Steve |
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Post by beanie on Mar 31, 2009 9:44:29 GMT
i wonder if a polystyrene(spelling)seed tray hollowed out would float if it was planted up. not sure what the chemicals in it would do to fish though
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 31, 2009 9:56:33 GMT
They look fantastic Steve, real talking points if you had one.  |
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Post by Chuckles on Mar 31, 2009 10:08:45 GMT
I think it's a fab idea with the right plants in/on them. You thought the same as me Beanie, polystyrene sounds possible. This is worth some thinking about, brain in recycle mode now ;D I suppose the plants would need some thought too, as far as acceptable ones to use in a pond with fish.
Just had a thought, what about those kneeling pads you can get for the garden. I reckon I've seen them in the likes of Poundland, they are a type of polystrene material.
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Post by andy on Mar 31, 2009 11:14:37 GMT
Don't forget that just about everything in the pond is still only just waking up...especially the plants. If you make one of those islands, you could always use an "anchor" to keep it static and stop it moving around.....maybe a bit of strong sea fishing line tied to a brick or something. Look forward to seeing what you do |
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Post by Jasmine on Mar 31, 2009 11:16:44 GMT
Not going to be any help here at all but they have these at Sea World in Florida in several of their water features and they are stunning. Can't think of a suitable material that would float with the extra weight involved though.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2009 17:26:50 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2009 7:14:17 GMT
How large and how old is your pond Steve? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2009 16:47:04 GMT
Not large Rita its about 11ft x 9ft . Its in full sun so i would like to shade it a bit better, floating a few plants would be different. I think its about 4yrs old i think
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Post by Barbara on Apr 21, 2009 13:55:20 GMT
What about oasis, the stuff florists use for flower arranging.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2009 13:43:41 GMT
Ive tried a few places to get foam and or some oasis but its either not the right size or to expensive so ive decided to make my own ;D I have a cunning plan M'Lord   |
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Post by Barbara on Apr 23, 2009 14:33:09 GMT
I can't wait to see this. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2009 15:31:41 GMT
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Post by flowersfriend on Apr 23, 2009 19:01:34 GMT
Hi Stevemc.
Bril idea. I think I have seen floating islands in Holand, I feel sure they were just made of wood? little shallow boxs, then the plants put in to drape around the sides. Or, I wonder if you could hollow out a bit of tree trunk then put plants in that and set it afloat ?? That way there would be no danger to your wild life in the pond...no chemicals.
Good luck anyway, I will be very interested to see what you do and how it works.
Our pond is about the same size as yours and in the full sun........... I might turn into a copy cat , if you don't mind??
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2009 20:30:03 GMT
Just checked and its still soft at the bottom so ive turned it over and pulled up the polythene While ive been waiting i made an obelisk out of pressure treated 2x1 ;D. I like the idea floating little boxes(marine ply maybe) and logs would look cool FF. Next big question is what to put in them? Ferns and creeping jenny maybe  Anyone got any ideas? Could it be the answer to the age old problem of slugs and hostas or would the pond snails get them instead |
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Post by beanie on Apr 24, 2009 14:32:16 GMT
thats a brilliant idea Steve, the oasis probably wouldn't have worked, it may be light but it will soak up a lot of water and probably sink
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Post by carolann on Apr 25, 2009 7:34:37 GMT
This is very interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished article. I would think you would have to plant up with moisture loving plants and ones that dont grow too big. Keep us all posted SM.
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Post by Dutchy on Apr 25, 2009 8:19:15 GMT
Hey interesting project.
You could hollow out a polysterene ( however that is spelled ) bit.
As that does not look pretty you can use that brown grey felt they use under carpets to hide it. That felt is app 1 cm thick and made of all sorts of unnatural stuff, it does not soak water very strongly and does not rot ( I have a felt artwork up a tree and all it gets is mosses but nothing else ) Do presoak for a week as the stuff is treated to resist fire and that is no good for your pond.
The floating boxes are made of several layers of polystyrene. The wood box sits on top of those. You can also use that hard plastic liner stuff for borders and fold it into the shape you like following the cut shape. Use an all weather filler to seal the gaps between polystyrene and lining if you don't want contact between pond water and planting material.
The floating ones in the Amsterdam canals are simply polystyrene then 2 pallets with the sides planked up with the surplus middle planks and then for soil a mixture of soil and light weight material for packaging. As that construcktion allows water in they are mostly planted up with water and marsh plants.
Good luck Steve it will be interesting to see what you do with your Isles
Use plants that don't need a feeding as this will leak into your pond.
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Post by carolann on Jun 5, 2009 6:13:48 GMT
How are the floating islands coming along Steve? or have you scrapped the idea?
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Anyone got any ideas?
